A 49-year-old man was arrested last night after he forced entry into a city restaurant’s kitchen, took a knife and threatened staff.

Around 6.30pm, an intoxicated man entered the restaurant, requesting to see the owner. While waiting for the owner the man verbally threatened staff and entered the kitchen area, armed himself with a large kitchen knife and confronted staff.

Staff fled the restaurant and contacted police for assistance.

ACT Policing north district superintendent Mick Calatzis said in cases like this, the staff of the restaurant did the right thing by leaving and calling police for help.

“ACT Policing takes matters like this very seriously,” he said. “Being confronted by someone armed with a knife is frightening. There is no point in potentially losing your life or sustaining a serious injury by confronting someone armed with a weapon.”

A 49-year-old man was located and arrested by police and taken to the ACT Watch House where he was charged with threat to kill, possess offensive weapon with intent and using a carriage service to menace.

The man faced the ACT Magistrates Court this morning.