Police operation shuts down Berkeley street

The drama began around 11.30am when a man was reportedly seen walking up and down Devon Street, waving a gun and pointing it at people.

“I saw him walk past then walk back up … holding the gun up in the air,” said one onlooker, who didn’t want to be named.

By midday police used a dozen marked and unmarked vehicles to close Bristol Street between Kelly Street and Winnima Way, as well as parts of Devon and Cardiff Streets.

Two ambulances waited around the corner and a special operations unit from Sydney had also been called to respond.

Around 12.30pm a young man on a skateboard was seen leaving the house in question and arrested near the Berkeley Hotel.

Detective chief inspector Glen Broadhead confirmed the skateboarder was unarmed and the man they were looking for may have still been inside the house.

The situation escalated just after 2pm when the special operations unit moved into position.

Nearby houses were evacuated, bystanders were told to move back and the Berkeley Hotel put into lockdown.

Inside the hotel patrons, many of whom had seen the alleged gunman earlier, watched through windows whilst downing a schooner and Lake Illawarra police patrolled inside.

A brunette woman, wearing what appeared to be just a towel, left the premises via the front door at 2.55pm and was quickly escorted away by police.

After 6pm at least seven special operations officers were seen positioning themselves either side of the house, two with big black cases and another with a German Shepherd.

The siege reached it’s climax after 6.30pm when a side window was smashed in by officers and a white dog was seen flying out of the window shortly afterwards, then running down the street.

Police confirmed late Monday “numerous exhibits” were seized from the house while no other arrests were made and investigations were continuing.