Police officers on land, sea and air were dispatched to apprehend a man harassing people on Bondi Beach, Sydney on January 23, to the amazement of onlookers.

Reportedly the 38-year-old man was fleeing from the police and had leapt into the ocean to avoid being caught, taking shelter on a rock a short distance out, while a crowd of uniformed officers can be seen watching the man from the shoreline.

A jetski and police helicopter were also called in, drawing the attention of many on the crowded beach. Eventually officers on the jetski were able to bring in the individual and take him to shore.

The man was reportedly harassing women on the beach in a sexually appropriate manner and intimidating other beachgoers at around 2:30pm, before fleeing into the surf away from police called to remove him.

He then waited in the water for two hours before the air and water police brought him in, where he was taken to Waverley police station and charged with resisting a police officer and stalking.

Commenting onlookers can be heard speculating: "I wonder what he did, because this is serious."

Another jokingly responds: "Is he like Pablo Escobar?"