Southport siege: Man taken into custody after surrendering to police following three-hour stand-off

An armed man has been taken into custody after surrendering to police shortly before midnight following a three-hour stand-off in Southport.

PSPA declared in Southport. Picture: QPS

UPDATE: 3.10AM

A 29-year-old man has been charged with 15 offences after a series of alleged armed robberies and a standoff with police at a Southport service station overnight.

The man was charged with five counts of armed robbery, three counts each of wilful damage and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of serious assault police whilst armed, and one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle with prior conviction and unlawful possession of a weapon.

He is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Saturday morning.

UPDATE: 12.30AM

AN emergency declaration has been lifted after an armed man surrendered to police in Southport.

In a statement early this morning, police said the man surrendered peacefully at 11.55pm.

Police lifted the emergency declaration, made under the Public Safety Preservation Act, ten minutes later.

Officers said the man left the Freedom Fuels service station on Nerang Street and was taken into custody without further incident.

The declaration had been made at 8.36pm.

The cordon encompassing Eugaree Street, Nerang Street, Falconer Street and Tweed Street has been lifted and the roads have now reopened.

UPDATE: 10.40PM

Police have made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act in relation to an armed man in Southport.

The declaration was made at 8.36pm.

The PSPA includes the area surrounding Eugaree Street to Nerang Street, Falconer Street and Tweed Street.

Specialist police are on scene.

EARLIER:

POLICE have cordoned off two of Southport’s arterial roads due to a ‘siege’ situation this evening.

Police are warning residents to stay away from Nerang Street, also known as Southport-Nerang Road, between Queen and Wardoo Streets due to an ongoing situation, believed to be a siege.

Those along the street have been warned to stay indoors, say witnesses.

Gold Coast residents there is a police incident in the Southport area. Please avoid Nerang Southport Road,between Queen and Wardoo Street. #qldtraffic pic.twitter.com/0kfUHGhAdq

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) August 16, 2019

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It is understood an armed man is at the Freedom Fuels petrol station after coming to the attention of police around 8pm.

Negotiators have been called in and more police have arrived to attempt to resolve the matter peacefully.

Paramedics are on standby.

Witnesses report hearing a police helicopter circling above the area.

More to come.