Dublin Docks Tavern scene of police response after man with imitation firearm spotted in car park
Police have revealed details of a dramatic operation which saw two men arrested in a tavern car park, with one found to be carrying an imitation firearm.
Police & Courts
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A major police operation was sparked on Sunday after an off-duty officer spotted a man carrying an imitation firearm outside a busy Gold Coast tavern.
The NSW officer, who is holidaying on the Gold Coast, phoned his Queensland colleagues at 6pm on Sunday after seeing two men he believed were “behaving suspiciously” in the car park of the Dublin Docks Tavern at Harbour Town in Biggera Waters.
“He reported seeing two suspicious males at a Biggera Waters Tavern and believed one of them was armed with a firearm,” Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles said.
“As a result police have responded and located both these men.
“The first male immediately surrendered. That man was a 51-year-old male from Biggera Waters.
“Upon searching him police located a replica gas-powered pistol secreted on his person.
“The other male, a 30-year-old from Paradise Point, was apprehended a short distance away. As a result of his behaviours and confronting of police a Taser was deployed and he was apprehended shortly after that.
“Both men have been charged with public nuisance and associated offences as a result of that.”
Acting Supt Scott Knowles said police believed the 30-year-old had been selling the firearm to the older man.
It is not an offence in Queensland to own or to sell an imitation firearm. An offence only occurs if the firearm is displayed to members of the public in a way that causes fear.
To date, no charges have so far been laid in relation to the imitation firearm found by police.
“The reports are that the 30-year-old was actually selling the firearm to the 50-year-old and unfortunately they decided to do this at a licenced premises which has obviously raised some concerns of the police officer that was there,” Acting Supt Knowles said.
“But it’s not an offence to have possession of a replica here, it’s only if you cause concern to the public.”
Acting Supt Knowles praised the actions of the off-duty NSW police officer who reported the incident.
“(As a police officer) you’re never off duty, regardless if you’re on holidays or not,” he said.
Police investigations into the matter are ongoing.
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