Cairns streets on alert after man with sharp object taken into custody

A man was seen walking the streets, allegedly intoxicated and holding an object believed to be a knife, in the Cairns CBD.

man with scissors silhouette over dark wall. picture: istock

A man was seen walking the streets, allegedly intoxicated and holding an object believed to be a knife, in the Cairns CBD on Thursday night.

Authorities were called to the corner of Grove and Sheridan Streets in Cairns City on April 4, where they took a 26-year-old Aurukun man into custody.

Identity checks revealed the man was also wanted under an active warrant.

“Police were called to the location following reports from concerned members of the public about an allegedly intoxicated male … with a knife just after 6pm,” a Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said.

It is understood when officers arrived and located the man, he was allegedly found to be carrying a pair of scissors.

He has been charged with one count each of possessing a knife in public, public nuisance, and failure to appear.

He has been refused bail and will appear before the Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday, April 4.

This followed a police warning on Thursday morning for residents between Brinsmead and Kanimbla to stay inside as a search for an armed man of Papua New Guinea appearance continued.

The search started on Wednesday, April 2, and it is understood he spent the night hidden in nearby bushland, before resurfacing on Thursday.

Efforts are continuing on Friday morning to locate the man.

Originally published as Cairns streets on alert after man with sharp object taken into custody