A man has been taken into custody as part of a police operation in Wollongbar.
About 8am (Thursday, 23 November, 2023), emergency services were called to a private property on the Bruxner Highway, Wollongbar, following a concern for welfare.
Police closed the Bruxner Highway in both directions between Sneaths Road and McLeans Ridges Road. Residents in the vicinity of the Bruxner Highway and Lindendale Road were then asked to stay indoors and the Wollongbar TAFE was locked down.
Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna stated in a doorstep interview that the police had been alerted to the situation by someone concerned for the man’s safety.
‘We were alerted to the man at the property with concerns for his welfare. At no stage was there anyone else at the property. The man was there alone.’
One reporter asked if it was a siege situation as the police had brought in ‘tactical police, highly trained police negotiators’ however, Assistant Commissioner McKenna said ‘you can use the word siege if you like. We would say it was a police operation that took some time to resolve safely.’
Taken into custody
About 2pm today (Thursday, 23 November, 2023), a 45-year-old man was taken into custody by officers from the Tactical Operations Unit.
He has been taken to Lismore Base Hospital under police guard.
‘He is now being assessed at Lismore Base Hospital,’ said Assistant Commissioner McKenna.
In reference to rumours of firearms and explosives on site, he told reporters that, ‘Police are searching the property at the moment. We had concerns for the person and the community. There was no concern for the community generally.’
Bruxner remains closed
The Bruxner Highway will remain closed for some time. For traffic updates visit: www.livetraffic.com.
