Revealed: Man in custody as siege ends after 26 hours

Dramatic pictures from inside the police exclusion zone reveal the tension and drama of the 26-hour siege at a Brisbane house, with witnesses telling of a man holding a gun and a child while making threats. SEE THE PICTURES

A shirtless man has been taken into police custody in handcuffs, ending a siege at a Sunnybank property that lasted close to 26 hours.

The 36-year-old man was escorted in handcuffs out of the property by several SERT officers before being loaded onto a stretcher and taken away from the scene in an ambulance.

Police escorting the man following a siege in Sunnybank. Pics Tara Croser.

A woman and three-year-old boy were also seen exiting the house uninjured, confirming suggestions there were other people inside the property with the man.

Police confirmed no one was injured during the 26 hour standoff.

“A successful resolution has been achieved, we are very happy that the matter has been resolved peacefully,” Patrol Inspector Michelle Piket said.

A neighbour's picture of the man holding what appears to be a gun on the balcony of the Sunnybank home.

She thanked the public for their patience and assistance in relation to the matter, as she confirmed the exclusion zone – from Dyson Ave, Gedde Place, Beenleigh Rd and Ganda Place that was established by police yesterday morning – had been removed and residents can now reenter their homes.

The incident lasted from 10.15am on Thursday until 12.15pm on Friday, and required the use of numerous police and ambulance resources.

A neighbour took these pictures of armed police officers during from inside his property.

A neighbour took this picture of armed police officers during from inside his property.

No charges have been laid against the man, however it’s expected police will charge him later this afternoon.

Officers and a police dog began conducting a search of the Dyson Ave home about 2pm.

An employee at Lucas Auto Electrical Service, which neighbours the property, said the business was left “wide open” while the 26-hour siege took place.

A neighbour took this picture of armed police officers during from inside his property.

Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was locked off out his home for the 26 hours and had to stay in a motel.

“I couldn’t get in, I was stuck outside,” he said.

Police on the scene at a siege in Sunnybank. Picture: Tara Croser.

“I was at the doctor and I was locked out, all my medications were in the house.

“I stayed in a motel overnight.

“It’s a pain, it’s annoying, it’s frustrating but that’s about all you can say, it’s just a byproduct of what was happening.”

Police on the scene at a siege in Sunnybank. Picture: Tara Croser.

John Biddle, 53, another neighbour, said he saw the man holding a small child and a firearm on the balcony of the home about 10:15am yesterday.

“I was woken by some yelling and screaming ...[a man] mentioned a gun while he was yelling and screaming,” he said.

“I came to my front window and looked out to see three officers with their guns still drawn.”

Mr Biddle said the police were being told too back off by the man and heard threats that something would happen to the child if they didn’t.

“ I could see that he had a child in his arms ... and I could see what looked like a long barrelled pistol in his hands. He was cursing and cussing so on, getting all the police to move on and away,” he said.

Mr Biddle said he had not seen the man at the property before and the woman who lived at the property “is a lovely lady”.

“It was very surreal I was still half comatose after waking up from a night shift... it was scary,” he said.

Mr Biddle praised the efforts of police to bring the siege to a peaceful resolution.

“They were doing what they should have done, just back off and negotiate,” he said.

“As far as I can tell they did their jobs perfectly.”

The Courier-Mail had been told police attended the residence on Thursday to talk with the man about a nearby armed robbery.

While conducting their visit, it became apparent to officers the man had armed himself with a gun.

Police were also made aware a young boy was inside at the time, while they later learned a woman was also in the house with the man and child.

The man was involved in negotiations with police during Friday morning before he was taken into custody.

Asked on the reason for officers’ attendance about 10.30am yesterday, Patrol Inspector Michelle Piket said police attended the Dyson home to “investigate some serious offences,” but would not comment further.

The Courier-Mail understands, however, officers attended the home to talk with the man about his alleged involvement in an unrelated armed robbery.

Earlier, police negotiators could be heard speaking to the man from outside home, saying: “This is the police. No one wants to harm you”.

Reporters on the scene earlier reported hearing two or three “gun shots” but police say

they were from fireworks or a vehicle backfire, from a location unrelated to the siege.

“There have been unconfirmed reports of a series of large loud bangs in the area, this is unrelated to this matter and speculation around this isn’t particularly helpful,” Insp Piket said.

“There weren’t related to this matter but I’m not aware of what they are.”

Police on the scene at a siege in Sunnybank. Picture: Tara Croser.

A witness yesterday claimed to have heard a man and woman fighting at about 9am today.

They said the woman could be heard screaming before police swarmed the area moments later.

Neighbours have described the area as “a very peaceful and lovely place,” as witnesses described seeing dozens of police swarm the area this morning.

Police have closed off roads around a home at Sunnybank, where a man is believed to be holding a young child hostage inside a home. Picture: 7NewsBrisbane

“There must have been about 40 police here in armour … there were some guys in camouflage and holding rifles,” a witness said.

It’s understood the man does not live at the Dyson Ave home, however has been staying with a female relative at the house for the last two or three days.

Police on scene at a siege in Sunnybank. Picture: Annette Dew

Trains on the Beenleigh line, which runs partially through the exclusion zone, were initially affected, but services returned to normal later on Friday.

Regional Duty Officer Acting Inspector Mick Ackery said police had attended the home at about 10.30am on Thursday.

“Specialist police have been responding to an incident … the situation is ongoing and police are looking to do their best to come up with a peaceful resolution to it,” he said.

A house where a man is holed up. Picture: Annette Dew

He stated police had attended the address prior to the incident but would not say why.

Acting Insp Ackery confirmed the incident did not start at the Banoon train station and had been ongoing at the one Dyson Ave address for several hours.

An updated map of the exclusion zone, issued by police at 1pm.