Daniel Dafkovski allegedly had bulletproof vest, machete and drugs in bizarre arrest

A man claims he wore a bulletproof vest in an “unfamiliar area” after police allegedly found him with machete, balaclava and cocaine in broad daylight.

A former Illawarra restaurateur has been granted bail after he was allegedly caught wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying around a duffel bag full of weapons and drugs.

Daniel Dafkovski, who is well-known for his prior involvement with multiple restaurants around the Illawarra, was arrested in Oak Flats on Sunday morning, after a court heard concerned residents reported seeing a man “acting suspiciously” and “wearing a bulletproof vest”.

Mr Dafkovski was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug, not comply with public health direction, carry cutting weapon upon apprehension, custody of knife in public place armed with intent to commit indictable offences and two counts of possess or use prohibited weapon without permit.

Daniel Dafkovski has been released on bail. Picture: Facebook.

In documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court on Monday, it was revealed police received several calls from the public just before 11am on Sunday, with reports a “man was seen putting on a bulletproof vest while seated inside a BMW” in Oak Flats.

Police attended the location and allegedly spotted Mr Dafkovski hopping out of a taxi on Lake Entrance Road, before opening the rear driver’s side door.

Police approached and restrained Dafkovski, removing his leather jacket and allegedly finding him in a body armour vest.

It is alleged he also dropped a black duffel bag, with police immediately noticing a large machete engraved with “God will understand.”

In the documents, police allege they also found a spring-loaded automatic knife, a balaclava, black gloves and a neck sleeve, as well as 2.11 grams of cocaine and 0.88 grams of MDMA hidden inside a silver tin.

Daniel Dafkovski has been placed on a curfew as part of his bail. Picture: Facebook.

He was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where he participated in an interview, allegedly telling police he owned the bag, but denied any knowledge of the machete or other items.

In court on Monday, Mr Dafkovski’s lawyer Caitlin Drabble recounted her client’s version of events, saying his car had been “broken into” after he left it on the street overnight following engine problems. He claimed items that were not his were placed in the car, including the vest and an iPad.

Ms Drabble said when he returned to the car he found the vest and put it on because he was in an “unfamiliar area”.

She described the situation as “unusual” while Magistrate Claire Girotto said his explanation was “farcical”.

“There was a movie like this years ago,” she said.

However, Magistrate Girotto agreed to grant bail, putting him on a 6pm to 6am curfew to allow him to continue working in his role at Grain Corp, while also imposing a $500 surety and that he comply with any mental health treatment.

The matter will return to court next month.