Source : the age
A man has been charged after allegedly threatening to shoot three people with a sawn-off shotgun during a confrontation over a stolen van in Dulwich Hill on Friday, before setting fire to the vehicle and fleeing on foot.
An hours-long lockdown began in the inner west suburb after 10.20am on Friday, when Jake Kermode, 32, was allegedly confronted over a stolen van taken from a nearby suburb days earlier.
Kermode allegedly set fire to the van, near an apartment complex at Williams Parade and Constitution Road in Dulwich Hill, and waved the shotgun at three witnesses, before fleeing on foot with the weapon.
Nearby businesses, cafes and schools were put into lockdown on Friday as tactical police, along with the police helicopter, combed nearby streets for the alleged gunman. The lockdown was lifted about 3pm that day.
About 11.30pm on Sunday, detectives under Strike Force Ranilo arrested the 32-year-old on Burwood Road in Burwood after he allegedly tried to evade police. Police are continuing their search for the shotgun, which wasn’t found during the arrest.
Kermode was taken to Concord Hospital for injuries suffered in the arrest, before he was transferred to Newtown Police Station.
He was charged with seven offences on Monday morning, including possession of a shortened firearm without authority, acquiring a banned firearm subject to a prohibition order, and destroying or damaging property.
Kermode will also face charges of armed robbery, driving a vehicle taken without the consent of the owner and during a disqualification period, and possessing a housebreaking implement.
Police had released a CCTV image of a man leaving the scene on Friday, as they desperately worked to find him.
The van set alight in the confrontation has been seized by police for forensic examination, after the blaze was extinguished by firefighters.
Evidence gathered from the car is expected to assist the investigation under Strike Force Ranilo, and form part of the case against the man.
More to come
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Daniel Lo Surdo is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously helmed the national news live blog for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.
