Dramatic 20-hr siege ends, two men arrested

A dramatic 20-hr siege on the Gold Coast has ended with two men - wanted on ‘return to prison warrants’ - arrested. Police are investigating their connection to two other terrifying shootings.

A dramatic siege on the Gold Coast where two wanted men were holed up inside an elderly couple’s home has ended in its 20th hour with the men arrested.

Queensland police confirmed the men had been taken into custody and a Public Service Preservation Act - which included scores of houses and a school - had been revoked just after 11am.

One of the men at the centre of the siege at Nerang had cut off his ankle monitor before the dramatic standoff and both were wanted on return-to-prison warrants, police say.

Sources told The Courier-Mail the two wanted men may have been connected to both an Arundel police beat drive-by shooting attack earlier this week, and another frightening incident on Saturday when a shot was fired into a car carrying a family through Coolangatta.

Police on Thursday said those links were still “yet to be determined”.

The siege ended after 20-hours.

The two men were holed up inside a Rimu Place, Nerang property since 3pm Wednesday - stretching for 20-hours until its peaceful conclusion.

Police have arrested two men following an emergency declaration at Nerang overnight.

The Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) declaration has now been revoked.

Police thank the community for their patience and understanding during this incident.

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) June 9, 2022

Before the siege ended, Regional crime co-ordinator, Detective Acting Superintendent Chris Ahern said negotiations were ongoing and confirmed the two men, who are wanted on return to prison warrants, did not have any hostages.

He said there were no direct threat to nearby residents and that the property where they were staying was linked to associates of the men.

“These two people we are interested in are wanted on warrants and we are attempting to take them into custody in accordance with those warrants,” he said.

The PSPA was declared around 5pm with an exclusion zone encompassing Riverpark Drive, McLaren Road, Kopwhai Place and Inverness Street. Picture: Facebook

“One of the people did have a bracelet and they have removed it in recent days. Obviously as we can see from today they are not interested in coming into contact with the police.

He said any links between the men and two shooting incidents - at the Arundel police beat in Monday and at a family in Coolangatta on Saturday, were still being investigated.

An emergency was declared after the siege began about 3.30pm, with St Brigid’s Primary School - which is in the exclusion zone - plunged into lockdown. Nerang State High School and a childcare centre are also located nearby.

Locals caught up in the siege have shivered through a freezing night in their cars unable to return to their homes because of the exclusion zone, with other residents offered them coffee, hot meals and blankets to get them through the ordeal.

A siege is continuing on the Gold Coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Staff and students at St Brigid’s primary school have been told the school and childcare service will be closed until further notice.

The PSPA exclusion zone encompassed Riverpark Drive, McLaren Road, Kopwhai Place and Inverness Street.

Officers manning the McLaren St blockade were heard ordering cars to drive on as vehicles slowed in an effort to get a glimpse of the action.

At the other end of the street traffic piled up as school run cars and commuting workers returned to the nearby major intersection.

Residents were curious, nervous and frustrated. Many were swearing out of car windows as they passed.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE OFFENDERS

It was understood the men took over a duplex in the street, which was occupied by an elderly couple.

The couple were released but a woman in her 80s was treated by paramedics for distress.

Sources told The Courier-Mail the two wanted men may have been connected to both an Arundel police beat drive-by shooting attack earlier this week, and another frightening incident on Saturday when a shot was fired into a car carrying a family through Coolangatta. Police on Thursday said those links were still “yet to be determined”.

Police have blocked off Mclaren Road in Nerang where a stand off with two wanted men continues. Picture: Tertius Pickard

A police spokesman said specialist and general duties police were involved in the standoff with two men wanted on return to prison warrants.

One of the men was thought to have been injured jumping a fence.

Supt Ahearn said one of the men had removed a GPS tracking bracelet in recent days.

Gold Coast police have declared an emergency declaration under the PSPA Act due to an ongoing incident at Nerang.
The exclusion zone encompasses Riverpark Drive, McLaren Road, Kopwhai Place and Inverness Street. Residents are urged to stay indoors. https://t.co/RR81GL6YZ1pic.twitter.com/XxXlDA6UGK

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) June 8, 2022

Members of the public were advised to avoid the area and those within the exclusion zone were asked to remain indoors.

Arundel Police Beat. Picture by Richard Gosling

A Nerang resident who lives near the site said they could hear Queensland Police officers speaking through the megaphone.

“We are only a few houses away,” she said on social media

“Two armed men have barricaded themselves inside a home.

“There were two elderly people let out a few hours ago who went straight to ambulances.

“It’s not clear if they were in the same house or next door.

“I can hear the police megaphone again so it sounds like they are still trying to negotiate with them.”

Police have cordoned off several streets in Nerang as a siege continues. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Another resident, Robyn, said she was unable to return home to care for her mother as a result of the police blockade on her street.

“They won’t let me past just to get home,” Robyn said.

“Police should really have something set up for when something like this happens.

“I live with my elderly mother, I can’t get to her, and I’ve got nowhere else to go. I just have to wait it out.

“I’m just praying these guys give up soon.”