Wollongong man refused bail on gun charge

A man who allegedly took a loaded pistol into the centre of Wollongong was refused bail when he appeared in court yesterday.Muhammed Ayyildiz, 26, of Robinson St, Wollongong, faced Wollongong Local Court charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm.Ayyildiz's dramatic arrest stopped traffic in Wollongong on Thursday, when police with guns drawn ordered him out of a car and onto the ground.The scene caused a stir among lunchtime shoppers in Burelli St, who watched on as police forced two men onto the road and searched their car.Two women were also travelling with the men.Ayyildiz was arrested along with a 35-year-old man who will face court at a later date charged with drug offences.Police allege Ayyildiz was carrying a silver .22 calibre semi-automatic pistol when they arrested him.He did not seek bail and it was formally refused.He will reappear in court on July 29.