Police close street after domestic dispute

A sleepy suburban street in Bellambi had a rude awakening yesterday morning with heavily armed police wearing bullet-proof vests staking out a Cawley Street address.

Wollongong police were called to the home about 9.15am after a domestic dispute between the owner and her 20-year-old son, who was allegedly armed with a gun.

Police blocked vehicle and pedestrian access to the street, between Rothery Street and Sellers Crescent, believing the man and his mother could still be inside. 

Staff at nearby Bellambi Public School were also advised to keep the children inside, as police in protective clothing hid behind cars and crawled through bushes close to the home.

However, the four-hour siege ended calmly about 1.15pm after police from the Tactical Operations Unit stormed the house – protected by shields and accompanied by a police dog – and found no-one home.

Wollongong Police duty officer Sergeant Don Faulds said all precautions had been taken to safeguard the public, and police.

‘‘Police received a phone call from the home from the occupiers due to a domestic incident early in the morning,’’ he said.

‘‘Due to reports that the young man had a firearm we had to take into consideration the safety of the public, and police.

‘‘No-one was home, which was a good result, as there’s no chance of anyone getting injured or hurt.

‘‘Police executed a search of the home, and no firearms were located.’’

Sergeant Faulds said police were still looking for the man to help them with their inquiries, although they did not think he posed any threat to the public.

Investigations are continuing