NSW Police charge two men after drama near John Ibrahim’s home

New details have been released after a balaclava-clad man allegedly pulled out a pistol and approached the neighbour of John Ibrahim.

A balaclava-clad man allegedly pulled out a pistol and approached the neighbour of multi-millionaire businessman John Ibrahim as they backed out of their driveway on Thursday morning, with police now investigating if the gunman had the wrong house.

The alleged brazen actions of two men were spotted by an alert neighbour on George St in Dover Heights, who urgently called triple-0 about 8.20am.

Police said the man left the scene in a car, which was seen by officers on Old South Head Rd in nearby Bellevue Hill.

It is alleged a car chase ensued until the car stopped at Bondi, where a 20-year-old man was apprehended.

Police allege a 24-year-old passenger of the vehicle resisted arrest and raced off on foot before he was arrested on Banksia Rd, Bellevue Hill, soon after.

The vehicle was searched, and police allegedly found two pistols and balaclavas.

The men were taken to Waverley Police Station, where they were charged on Thursday night.

Local detectives, with assistance from the State Crime Command, are investigating if the pair intended to target Mr Ibrahim — a man who has never been charged with a crime — and, if so, why?

Two men donning balaclavas and armed with guns have been arrested in Sydney’s east. Picture: 7NEWS

NSW Police Detective Inspector Adam Solah said police were still trying to “ascertain why those two males were in that street”.

Insp Solah did however praise the efforts of the officers who managed to arrest the men after a “violent struggle” as peak-hour traffic drove past.

John Ibrahim. Picture: David Swift

The Dover Heights house.

Police initially blocked off roads toward Dover Heights, while a Polair helicopter circled the sky above the multimillion-dollar clifftop homes of the exclusive suburb.

Detectives spent much of Thursday morning canvassing George St at both the Military Rd and clifftop ends, including speaking briefly to Mr Ibrahim at the front door of his home.

The man who made his name as a Kings Cross nightclub owner long ago moved on to become a fully fledged businessman.

He no longer has bodyguard Semi “Tongan Sam” Ngata by his side, and has little to do with his brothers Sam and Michael Ibrahim – the latter of whom is serving a lengthy prison term for drug importation.

Instead he is the landlord of multiple premises across Sydney’s CBD.

Police with John Ibrahim at his Dover Heights home on Thursday. Picture: TNV

In recent years John has also moved into the world of television production, creating his own company and overseeing the making of Last King of the Cross, based on his autobiography.

Several neighbours said they saw a car driving up and down the street on Thursday morning, with Susanne Rosen saying she was watching on in shock as police chased it at speed out of George St. “It’s usually a safe street,” she said.

The 24-year-old man was charged with: possess unauthorised firearms in a public place, possess ammunition without a permit, stalking/intimidation, assaulting a police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm and hindering or resisting arrest.

The 20-year-old man was charged with: possessing unauthorised firearms in a public place,

police pursuit — not stop — drive recklessly, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, possess ammunition without a permit, and stalking/intimidation.

In a statement, NSW Police said: “Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Eastern Suburbs Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. No further information is available at this time.”

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