Bernard John ‘Couchy’ Matthews charged over alleged eight-hour armed siege with police

A man has been charged by police over an alleged eight-hour siege where he allegedly barricaded himself inside a home armed with a weapon.

A wanted man kept police at bay for eight hours during an armed siege in Brisbane, barricading himself in a property with a weapon before his surrender, police allege.

Bernard John Matthews was allegedly wanted over several violent incidents across the city’s north when he was tracked to an address in Nundah on Sunday.

Police had issued a warning he was considered “armed and dangerous” and warned members of the public not to approach.

The 33-year-old allegedly barricaded himself inside a house while armed, sparking the hours-long siege at the weekend.

TV footage throughout the day captured armed police swarming the neighbourhood as the alleged incident continued well into the night.

The heavily tattooed Mr Matthews, who is also known by his nickname “Couchy”, was not brought before Brisbane Arrests Court on Tuesday when his matter was briefly mentioned.

Bernard John Matthews is alleged to have held police at bay during an eight-hour siege in Brisbane. Picture: Supplied / Queensland Police

Police had earlier said Mr Matthews was wanted over several alleged violent offences in Brisbane’s north. Picture: Supplied / Channel 9

Mr Matthews is facing multiple charges, including two counts of stealing and one count each of serious assault of a police officer, dangerous conduct with a weapon, unlawful possession of weapons, authority required to possess explosives (ammunition), robbery in company and wilful damage.

Lawyer Phoebe Mactaggart did not make a bail application for her client during her appearance.

The court was told Mr Matthews, from Zillmere, was on a return to prison warrant.

“He currently has 13 charges before the court,” she said.

Armed police swarmed the Nundah address on Sunday after Mr Matthews allegedly barricaded himself inside. He surrendered and was taken into custody just after midnight. Picture: Supplied / Channel 9

Ms Mactaggart asked for a bundle of 11 charges to be adjourned to Brisbane Magistrate Court’s committal callover court on August 23.

A second bundle of two charges – Mr Matthews’ robbery and wilful damage offences – were adjourned to August 28.

They are alleged to have involved robbing a woman in Clayfield while in company and destroying another person’s phone in Wooloowin, both on May 1.

Police allege Mr Matthews barricaded himself inside the Nundah home about 2pm on Sunday, arming himself with a gun.

He surrendered just after midnight and was taken into custody.

Police allege a gun and ammunition were found inside the property a short time later.

It is also alleged in court documents that Mr Matthews’ dangerous conduct with a weapon involved him producing a handgun in front of a person in Virginia on June 6.

Police also allege he stole alcohol from a BWS on May 10 and July 6.