Matthew Alan John Gerbes in Maroochydore court for brandishing replica rifle

Staff working at a Sunshine Coast car dealership had to take cover in fear of being shot when they saw a man brandishing a rifle they thought was real.

Staff at a Sunshine Coast car dealership had to take cover from what they thought was a real gun being pointed their way when a Nambour man decided to brandish his gel blaster around for “entertainment”.

Matthew Alan John Gerbes was given three months’ prison with immediate parole eligibility after pleading guilty to one count of dangerous conduct with a replica weapon in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on September 1, 2022.

Police prosecutor Phil Stephens said Gerbes was on his rear veranda of his Nambour address which had a clear view of the car park and buildings of Ken Mills Toyota Dealership on Coronation Ave.

Gerbes was brandishing his large gel blaster rifle that Sergeant Stephens said was realistic and was classified as a replica.

Gerbes was seen pointing the barrel in the air and drawing attention to himself, before placing the barrel against the railing pointing directly towards the dealership.

Matthew Alan John Gerbes.

“He held it as if he was taking aim ready to fire and moved it from left to right, pointing at different sections of the building,” Sergeant Stephens said.

“This behaviour extended for some time.”

The employees of the dealership became “very alarmed” and believed Gerbes had possession of a functioning rifle, the court heard.

Police went to his apartment and Gerbes reassured them it was a gel blaster.

“It is clear the defendant’s behaviour impacted upon the business as the staff had to take cover,” Sergeant Stephens said.

Defence solicitor Chris Lumme said the time his client had spent in custody from June onwards could be declared as time already served in the three-month sentence.

Convictions were recorded.