A man has been charged with firearms, drug and assault offences following a siege in Albury this week.
About 8.30pm on Wednesday (16 October 2024) officers attached to Murray River Police District approached a man walking along a street in Lavington and attempted to stop him.
The man allegedly produced a firearm and pointed it at police, before running towards Woomera Avenue, where he allegedly pointed the firearm at two other police officers who were patrolling nearby.
The man then forced entry to a home on Wagga Road, Lavington, after allegedly pointing the firearm at another officer.
An occupant in the home – who is not known to the man – fled the premises.
When the armed man refused to leave the house, a police operation ensued involving local police, with the assistance of specialist police including Police Negotiators and Tactical Operations Regional Support.
Later in the evening, the man left the house without incident and was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for a back injury, before he was taken to Albury Base Hospital.
Police allegedly located an unloaded sawn-off rifle and a knife inside the home, which were seized for forensic examination.
About 11:15am yesterday (Friday 18 October 2024), the 34-year-old man was released from hospital and taken to Albury Police Station.
He was charged with:
- Three counts of use etc offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention,
- Possess unregistered firearm in public place,
- Enter prescribed premises of any person without lawful excuse,
- Enter building/land with firearm or imitation,
- Special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence - weapon,
- Acquire firearm – subject to prohibition order,
- Possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority,
- Use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order,
- Possess prohibited drug.
The man was refused bail and will appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court today (Saturday 19 October 2024).
