Alexander Lawrence Finch charged after alleged Sippy Downs siege

A man who was allegedly armed with an axe and made threats, sending a Sunshine Coast suburb into lockdown in an 11-hour siege, has been arrested and identified.

Queensland Police are negotiating with a man at a Sunshine Coast unit complex. FILE PHOTO

A man who was allegedly armed with an axe and made threats, sending a Sunshine Coast suburb into lockdown in an 11-hour siege, has been arrested and faced court.

Alexander Lawrence Finch was charged following a protracted incident in Sippy Downs on January 28 to 29.

Police were called to a unit on University Way about 10.45pm on Tuesday January 28 to reports the 37-year-old man was allegedly armed with bladed weapons and making threats of violence.

It is understood one of these was an axe.

Finch was allegedly the sole occupant of the unit and the incident was contained to the unit.

A man has been taken to hospital after a dramatic 11-hour siege in Sippy Downs. Picture: Channel 7.

Police, including negotiators, were in communication with Finch throughout the incident until specialist police arrested the man around 10.05am on Wednesday, January 29.

No one was physically injured, however, the Sippy Downs man was taken to hospital for assessment.

He was later charged with one count each of serious assault police officer whilst armed with a weapon, use a carriage service to make a threat to cause serious harm, use a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence and wilful damage.

Finch was mentioned in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday, with duty lawyer Rachel Holland asking for his matters to be adjourned to next Monday as he was currently “unwell”.

Magistrate Rod Madsen adjourned the 37-year-old’s matters to February 3.

District Officer Acting Superintendent Chris Toohey speaking at a press conference at Maroochydore on January 29.

Sunshine Coast Police District Officer Acting Superintendent Chris Toohey said there was a “long and protracted negotiation” to get the man outside of a unit complex.

“We were dealing with threats for both himself and for police,” he said.

“Thankfully that resolved with no injuries for anyone.”

Acting Superintendent Toohey said the Sunshine Coast had a “really good” police service which is committed to ensuring the community and officers were not harmed in such incidents.

A PSPA had been declared just around the unit complex to keep the public safe and away, he noted.

“These situations can evolve and they can be dynamic at times,” he said.

The area is surrounded by homes and included schools and an IGA supermarket nearby.

“Police cars and police everywhere. Road closed. Near IGA shops,’’ one local resident posted.

Another said that traffic along University Way was being allowed through.

“Only a section of Springhill Drive that's closed,’’ another posted.

If you need help, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Originally published as Alexander Lawrence Finch charged after alleged Sippy Downs siege