Stripper carrying replica rifle shuts down Perth mall

Police swarmed a large part of central Perth on Sunday after terrified shoppers spotted a man walking across the street.

A male exotic dancer sparked chaos after shoppers spotted him carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle in the street.

Police swarmed a large part of central Perth at 2.40pm on Sunday after reports of a man wearing a bulletproof vest making his way across the city’s up-market King St retail mall.

But when police pounced on the man, they realised there had been a mix-up.

Police responded to the scene with emergency response units and cordoned off the area. Picture: Nine News

The bulletproof vest and rifle were part of Chad Satchell’s costume that he was wearing for work, police said.

The director of Fantasy Entertainment Australia, 31, was performing in the role of “sexy-SWAT officer” for a party he was attending later that day.

Police say the rifle was a gel pellet blaster.

Mr Satchell was arrested at the scene.

Police have since charged Mr Satchell with possession of a prohibited weapon and being armed in a way that may cause fear.

Chad Satchell has been charged with an offence that carries a potential year’s jail time or a $36,000 fine. Picture: Facebook

Gel blasters are illegal in Western Australia and can attract maximum penalties of up to three years in prison or a $36,000 fine.

The state cracked down on the weapons, which can be indistinguishable from real guns, in July last year.

“The members of the public who called for police assistance had genuine concerns for their safety and the safety of others,” a police spokesman said.

The weapon fires water gel pellets and is prohibited in WA. Picture: WA Police

Mr Satchell will appear in court in September. Picture: Facebook

“The firearm in question looks very real and it would be very difficult for any member of the public to be able to determine whether it was in fact real or not.”

Mr Satchell will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on September 1.