Aussie hurls his stuff to hold off cops

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SYDNEY, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Police in Australia said a man threw a TV set, a bicycle and kitchen ware at officers, and then set an apartment on fire, before he was hauled off to jail.

The first officers on the scene at the Sydney home had to dodge a falling flat-screen TV set the suspect allegedly heaved over the balcony of his fifth-floor apartment Friday, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

The TV was followed by pots, pans, a bicycle, a stereo and other items while officers waited for backup at a safe distance, police said. The episode reached a crescendo when the suspect allegedly set the apartment on fire -- requiring officers to break down the door and pull him to safety.

Five officers were treated for smoke inhalation and the man was taken to jail to cool off and wait for a Saturday court appearance.

The motive for the outburst was not immediately known.