A masked man armed with a rifle is in police custody after allegedly opening hearth at pedestrians earlier than taking a hostage inside a store south of Sydney.
Police had been advised a 40-year-old man armed with two firearms had opened hearth at passing autos and pedestrians, earlier than fortifying himself inside a close-by dive store.
The armed man allegedly held the store proprietor in opposition to his will earlier than releasing him with out harm.
There have been fears the person may have left explosives within the retailer.
However NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Joseph Cassar mentioned the bomb and rescue unit examined the store and deemed it secure.
“Individuals had been panicking, it was terrifying, everybody was simply operating,” witness Lachlan Cade Oldroyd advised 9News.
“I simply panicked and ran with the gang, jumped the fence and ran again to mine.”
Native officers established a fringe throughout the incident with assist from the Tactical Operations Unit, police negotiators and the canine squad.
After a interval of negotiations, the armed man surrendered to police and was taken into custody simply earlier than 10.30am at this time.
He has been transported to Lake Illawarra police station as inquiries proceed.
A criminal offense scene has been established on the dive store and at a house in Windang.
Each properties can be examined by specialist forensic officers and police from the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit.
There isn’t any ongoing risk to the neighborhood and no accidents have been reported.
Native street closures will stay in place for a number of hours.