A man allegedly brandished an axe during an attempted bike theft in Civic on Sunday afternoon.

A witness confronted the man, who was allegedly attempting to steal a bike from a bike rack near the intersection of Bunda Street and Petrie Street. Police say the alleged thief pulled a small axe from his backpack and repeatedly brandished it at the witness.

The man was arrested later that afternoon.

A search of his bag revealed an axe, two large knives, and a large torch. He has been charged with three counts of possessing an offensive weapon and one count of possessing an offensive weapon with intent.