‘Creepy’ claim in alleged attack

Police allege a man accused of attacking a shop worker outside Pacific Fair acted in a “creepy” manner, trying to befriend her before stabbing her twice in the back.

The 21-year-old woman is continuing to recover at Robina Hospital after allegedly being attacked by the man as she made her way to work at a store in the centre at about 8.30am on Saturday.

Police allege that the man briefly interacted with the woman after she got off a tram in Broadbeach.

They say the woman felt unsafe and approached a TransLink worker, who helped her get to Pacific Fair. But in an incident that was captured on CCTV, she was allegedly stabbed in the neck and shoulder as she went to walk in the doors.

“It’s just a shocking incident. Who would think (this would happen) at 8.30 on a Saturday morning,” Acting Superintendent Bruce Kuhn said.

“A young girl, 21, walking to work, and has had a little altercation with a person unknown to her who has tried to then befriend her.

“Obviously his actions were quite creepy and thankfully she sought the assistance of a worker from TransLink who assisted her to get to her workplace. (But) just prior to walking into Pacific Fair he has stabbed her twice in the back and then ran off.

“You wouldn’t expect something like this to happen.”

A public appeal for information was launched immediately after the incident, with officers arresting a man in

Miami later that afternoon.

It is alleged he was found with contraband including a knife, knuckledusters, and heroin. Raden Achman, 32, has since been charged with one count each of unlawful stalking using violence, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of a knife in a public place, possessing dangerous drugs, failure to properly dispose of syringe, possession of utensils for use, and unlawful possession of weapons (Category M). His case was mentioned briefly in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday, where he did not make an application for bail.

He was remanded in custody with his case due to return to court on May 2.

Acting Superintendent Kuhn said Mr Achman’s arrest came after the Queensland Ambulance Service had been called to assist him.

“He actually sought treatment from another agency and our counterparts at the ambulance service were initially called,” he said.

“It was thanks to the police listening in to some of the communications that they identified this could very well be the person that they were looking for, and it was. And an early arrest was made.

“... The incident was managed well from the beginning. It was a very quick response.

“And thankfully we managed to track him down later that afternoon.”

Acting Supt Kuhn praised the actions of the woman in seeking help and the TransLink worker who helped her.

He appealed to people to always seek help if they found themselves in situations that made them feel unsafe.