7
22
A man wanted over a triple stabbing at a Sydney gym is refusing to budge from a residential rooftop in Newcastle after spending more than nine hours in a stand-off with police.
In a surprise twist, it's been revealed the man also allegedly stole a car owned by Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bruce Pulver before climbing on to the roof of the townhouse in Tighes Hill around midday Tuesday.
Nine News reports that the man in question is believed to be Ricky Kinchela, a young father-of-one who was released from jail just two months ago after close to a decade behind bars for armed robberies and police pursuits.
Mr Kinchela, 27, is reportedly a diagnosed schizophrenic who has not taken his prescribed medication in months.
Three men were stabbed at a fitness centre in Brookvale in the Northern Beaches about 8pm on Monday, before the alleged attacker fled in a stolen BMW.
The same man is believed to have then allegedly carried out two armed robberies at service stations in Newcastle later that night, NSW Police said.
Some residents of the street weren't being allowed inside their homes on Tuesday night with several roads blocked off for the police operation as the man refused to come down from the roof.
With the sun setting, police were using large spotlights on the man as he wandered on the roof in just a pair of shorts.