Police lock down Mosman street in early morning operation after gun picture
A street in Mosman was locked down in the early hours of Tuesday as Tactical Operations officers moved in with high-powered rifles.
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A social media message containing pictures of a gun triggered a massive police operation in Mosman on Tuesday morning, with heavily armed tactical police descending on the exclusive suburb.
Dozens of police surrounded a home on Prince Albert St just before 7am on Tuesday, following a Crimestoppers report that a young man living there had sent out a picture of a gun on social media.
Residents in the multimillion-dollar suburb woke to officers pointing rifles at the home, which is located just 20 metres from the local police station, and using a megaphone to speak to the occupants inside.
“Come to the front door with nothing in your hands,” tactical officers were heard saying.
“If you follow the instructions you will not be harmed.”
A local resident told the Telegraph neighbours were ordered to stay inside their properties, watching on in fear as police swarmed the busy area.
“When the Riot Squad van turned up we were shocked, a bit scared really,” one woman said.
“There were police in backyards pointing rifles at the house over the fence. It was like something from a film.
“Certainly not what you see in Mosman.”
During the operation, a shirtless 18-year-old emerged from the home with his hands above his head, before he was spoken to by a group of officers.
Detectives were then seen searching the property – estimated to be worth $4 million – leaving a short time later with a brown evidence bag.
In a statement, NSW Police said no arrests or charges were made of the incident, and indicated they had spoken to the 18-year-old man, and a second man, understood to be the teen’s father.
The purpose of the major operation was the “execution of a firearms prohibition order”, according to police.
The area was reopened to traffic by 8am, but Prince Albert Street remained the scene of much local intrigue for most of Tuesday.
Mosman resident Tina Tang said the scene was “very dramatic” this morning, and described it as “unusual”.
“It’s very rare to see this in Mosman, to be honest. We’re in a bubble,” she said.
“For me, it’s a one off, and it’s mostly a safe area.
“We are all wondering what happened. It’s just so unusual.”
A mum who was taking her child to the nearby Queenwood Junior School said she was “pretty nervous” about the possibility of someone with a gun living nearby.
“It makes you quite nervous to think about that,” she said.
“People shouldn’t be allowed to own them unless they live on a farm. There’s no need.”
The teen believed to be at the centre of the incident was seen outside the property on Tuesday, shielding his face with his hooded jumper as he hopped into a car with his father.
Police have indicated investigations into the incident are still continuing.
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