Pine Rivers motorists threatened with replica army rifle

A Brisbane father has been jailed after he terrified motorists by pointing a “very realistic” replica rifle at oncoming traffic on a busy street north of Brisbane.

Brisbane motorists watched in fear and horror as 38-year-old Michael John Rogers pointed a replica rifle at oncoming traffic outside of the Pine Rivers Motel in the early hours of September 9.

Police received three concerned phone calls from panicked onlookers at around 6.30am, each of whom reported a man holding an army-style green coloured rifle with both hands and aiming it at passing cars.

Gel blasters remain popular in Queensland.

As officers drove towards the scene they saw Rogers, a father of three, hurriedly take the rifle into a home on Anzac Ave.

Police ordered Rogers to put his hands up and get on the ground.

Rogers told them to “f*** off”.

A “forceful” arrest ensued and police took Rogers back to the house, where they located a “very realistic” gel blaster gun.

Gel blasters are replica guns that are illegal in every Australian state save for Queensland, where their use is strictly regulated.

While residents are allowed to own gel blasters, they cannot be visible in a public place due to the significant alarm they cause.

Anzac Ave, Kallangur.

Rogers was charged and pleaded guilty to contravening police direction and going armed so as to cause fear.

Despite repeated requests, Rogers was unable to provide an explanation for his behaviour beyond being “foolish and stupid”.

Magistrate Trevor Morgan described Rogers’ behaviour as “remarkably serious and sinister”.

“Carrying a replica style weapon … in a public place and pointing it at traffic is a remarkably serious offence obviously designed to frighten people,” Mr Morgan said.

“I don’t know what was motivating you.”

Rogers was sentenced to four months imprisonment with an immediate suspension period of 18 months.

Convictions were recorded.

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