A MAN has been Tasered during a violent arrest, after allegedly assaulting staff and a customer in a Tamworth store after a dispute over toilet paper.
The 50-year-old man is in custody at Tamworth police station and is being questioned by officers after the alleged assault inside Tamworth Shoppingworld on Thursday morning.
Police were called to the centre just after 10am after reports a staff member and a customer had been assaulted by a man.
It's believed the argument was over toilet paper in the store, as stocks run out because of concerns about coronavirus, or covid-19.
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"Police have been told a 50-year-old man began to argue with a staff members and another customer before he assaulted them at a department store in Bridge Street," a NSW Police spokesperson confirmed.
"Officers attended and during the man's arrest, he was Tasered.
"He was then taken to Tamworth police station where he is assisting police with their inquiries."
No charges have been laid.
Shelves are empty across several stores in Tamworth, and the state, as fears spread about coronavirus.
The country's chief medical officer, health authorities and both the state and federal governments have urged the public to remain calm and refrain from bulk-buying toilet paper in stores and supermarkets, with no shortage of the product in Australia.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
