A teenager armed with a machete chased a man along Birmingham's Broad Street as nightlife revellers looked on, prompting a police response and a foot chase that ended with the suspect in custody.
Machete spotted near Black Sabbath Bridge
Police were called after the teenager was spotted wielding the weapon near Black Sabbath Bridge, yards from crowds enjoying the nightlife. Mobile phone footage captured 19-year-old Raid Alamansuly sprinting across the road as bystanders cried out: "He's got a machete, what the f**k."
The footage, obtained by the Birmz Is Grime news blog, shows Alamansuly retrieving an object from the ground before dashing back past several bars. Remarkably, some bystanders could be heard laughing before someone shouted "Oi, there's some feds there" as officers passed.
Police foot chase and arrest
Further voices could be heard saying "he's got a knife" as two police officers began a foot chase. Alamansuly, of no fixed address, was arrested and later charged with possession of a bladed article and possession of class B drugs. He appeared before Birmingham Magistrates' Court on August 10 and was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on September 2.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "A 19-year-old man has been charged following reports of a man waving a metal object in Birmingham city centre on August 9. We were called to Broad Street just after midnight."
Public reaction to the incident
The video racked up thousands of views after being posted on social media. One comment read: "why are people laughing and smiling!" A second said: "Broad Street has become wild." Another added: "My beautiful city has changed so much over the years." One put: "Brum city it's like the wild west what a sorry state from my heyday."
Alamansuly admitted possession of a bladed article and possession of class B drugs. He remains in custody awaiting sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court on September 2.
