By Jessica McSweeney and Riley Walter
Two men are in custody after leading police on a chase through Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Thursday morning after reports an armed man had been seen in the area.
About 8.20am, a witness reported a man wearing a balaclava and carrying a gun in George Street, Dover Heights, near the clifftop home of former nightclub king John Ibrahim.
Police were told two men fled the street in a Cupra SUV, making their way to Old South Head Road in Bellevue Hill, where police caught up with them. As officers struggled with the driver, aged 20, the passenger was able to briefly evade police and fled on foot.
The 24-year-old was pursued by detectives and arrested in the backyard of a nearby home. Two guns – a semi-automatic and a revolver – were allegedly found in the car and taken into evidence. Both men were taken to Waverley police station, where they are expected to be charged.
Detective Inspector Adam Solah said there was a “violent struggle” as the men tried to evade arrest. Solah did not say why the men were in the area but confirmed they were not locals.
Police in George Street, Dover Heights, and, inset, John Ibrahim. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Ibrahim.Credit: Nine
“At this stage, we haven’t ascertained why those two males were in that street. What we do know is that one of them was out of the vehicle carrying a firearm that we believe was loaded,” Solah said. “We don’t believe there are further threats to George Street ... it appears to be an isolated incident.”
Detectives were spotted combing George Street in Dover Heights after the pursuit and spoke to Ibrahim at his mansion on the street. Police later returned to Ibrahim’s house to photograph the exterior of the property.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on his part, only that police have spoken to him.
“Inquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Eastern Suburbs Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
Bellevue Hill Public School on Victoria Road activated its emergency procedures during the police operation, and students and staff were locked in their classrooms as a precaution.
A man was arrested on Old South Head Road after a police pursuit in Bellevue Hill.
“The Department of Education Emergency Services have been notified, which is normal protocol, and post-incident support is being employed if students or staff require this,” principal Sue Bennett said in an email to students. “We anticipate that this won’t be required but will be in place if necessary. We are conscious of our community’s concerns about school safety, especially with the still-evident global issues and, of course, more recently, the trauma associated with the Westfield incident still causing major distress.”
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