A man who was seen on a Sydney street with what appeared to be an AK-47 assault rifle sparked alarm in Sydney’s north-west on Wednesday evening, causing multiple witnesses to phone triple zero.
But police who swarmed Windsor Road in Rouse Hill, and even sent up a helicopter to try to track down the reported gunman, soon discovered the “weapon” was in fact a bong shaped like a gun.
Police allegedly recovered this bong, shaped like an AK-47 assault rifle, from a car in Rouse Hill.Credit: NSW Police
Police said officers began searching the street about 5.30pm and reviewed CCTV footage from surrounding businesses, which led them to an unlocked and unattended car in a nearby church car park.
Police searched the car and allegedly found an imitation AK-47 assault rifle inside. It will be alleged in court that the seized item was a bong, a water device commonly used to smoke marijuana. It could not fire any bullets.
A police helicopter that joined the search soon found a man in nearby grassland.
He was arrested and taken to Castle Hill police station where he was charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm and intimidation.
A police helicopter searches for a man in Rouse Hill on Wednesday.Credit: NSW Police
The 50-year-old man was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Thursday.
The man did not apply for bail in court and remains in custody. His case is due to return to court on April 13.
A large silicon AK-47 shaped bong can be purchased online for $39.90.
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