Two Men Arrested After Fake Gun Incident at Moore Park Entertainment Quarter

Two men were arrested at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park on Monday after one was spotted carrying a replica firearm and wearing a bulletproof vest with an American flag. NSW Police responded with about 20 officers around 4:45pm following public reports. The men, aged 39 and 35, were taken to Surry Hills Police Station after police confirmed the gun was fake and posed no threat.

How the incident unfolded

Officers swarmed the Entertainment Quarter about 4:45pm on Monday after receiving reports of a man with a firearm. Police located two men, one allegedly carrying a replica firearm and wearing a bulletproof vest bearing an American flag. The pair was arrested around 5pm outside Oporto restaurant on Bent Street.

Witnesses reported seeing the man circling in and out of restaurants and acting suspiciously before calling police. One woman dining nearby described the moment: “We saw a gun on his chest, but we were like, ‘Is he wearing a costume? Is it real?’ It looked like a pistol.” She said her friend called police because they did not know where the man would go next or whether he had a real weapon.

What police seized

Officers seized a replica firearm, a bulletproof vest, and a police badge. Photos released by NSW Police also showed a pair of black boots and a cardboard box marked “hard drugs” with smiley faces and stars drawn on it. Police confirmed the firearm was fake and posed no ongoing threat to public safety.

Witness accounts and public response

Footage posted to social media showed dozens of officers in tactical gear surrounding the men. Witnesses reported seeing about 15 to 20 police vehicles race to the scene. Several restaurants and precincts in the Entertainment Quarter were placed into lockdown, with staff and patrons told to remain inside during the operation.

One witness said the scene was “terrifying” and that she had never seen anything like it happen in real life. Two girls at a nearby college were instructed to stay inside until the operation finished. Police urged the public to avoid the area but confirmed there was no ongoing threat.

Investigation ongoing

Both men were transported to Surry Hills Police Station for questioning. NSW Police have not released details about the men’s motives or what they were attempting to do. The force is asking anyone with information, CCTV footage, or mobile phone video to contact Crime Stoppers.

Final Thoughts

The incident caused significant disruption to one of Sydney’s busiest entertainment precincts but was resolved without injuries. Police confirmed the weapon was fake, and both men remain in custody pending further investigation.

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