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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jack Evans

Armed police tackle thug in Asda pizza aisle after 'terrifying' knife rampage

A man wielding a knife was tackled to the ground in the pizza aisle at an Asda.

Mantas Auryla threatened terrified shoppers with the blade inside the supermarket in Raunds, Northants.

Two police officers arrived at the scene at 9pm on November 19 last year after a member of the public called 999.

In dramatic body-cam footage the armed officers can be seen entering the chilled food section with their guns drawn.

As they reach the end of the aisle 22-year-old Auryla suddenly appears and the two cops scream at him "stay where you are" and "put the f***ing knife down".

The officers rushed into the supermarket with their guns drawn (Nothamptonshire Police / SWNS)

Auryla was disarmed after being grappled to the floor.

Officers put him in handcuffs and continued a sweep of the supermarket.

Food products can be seen strewn across the aisles as police searched the rest of the store to ensure there were no other offenders present.

When the officers arrived several supermarket workers had locked themselves into the staff room.

The officers searched the store for the armed man (Nothamptonshire Police / SWNS)

Auryla admitted two counts of having a bladed article in a public place and public affray and was jailed for 18 months at Northampton Crown Court.

Detective Constable Katy Tyrrell, of Northamptonshire Police, said after the case: “This was a terrifying experience for the staff and customers at Asda as it was unclear what motives Auryla had.

“I would like to pay tribute to the staff at Asda in particular for the way they ensured their customers were evacuated and kept safe throughout the incident.

Auryla was arrested after threatening customers with a knife (Nothamptonshire Police / SWNS)
The officers found Auryla in the pizza aisle (Nothamptonshire Police / SWNS)

“This was a great response by my uniformed colleagues and those in the Force Control Room.

“I’m really pleased it has concluded with Auryla sentenced to eighteen months in prison – showing the gravity and seriousness of his offence.”

Chief Constable Nick Adderley described the confrontation as "very dramatic".

They detained Auryla as he lay on the floor (Nothamptonshire Police / SWNS)
He has been sentenced to 18 months in prison (Nothamptonshire Police / SWNS)

"(It is) an excellent example of the bravery our police officers show every day when they walk towards danger, into unknown situations, to protect the public," he said.

“An incident of this nature is exceptionally rare, however I hope the level of response we provided at the time, including our ability to quickly deploy specially trained firearms officers, reassures the community that we are always ready and equipped to react to a variety of scenarios in order to keep them safe.

“We have the bravest police officers in the world in this country and I am proud to lead a Force that consistently demonstrates courage, dedication and commitment of the highest level.

“Finally, I want to take this opportunity to commend DC Katy Tyrrell for a thorough investigation which gave Auryla no choice but to plead guilty to the offences at court.”

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