Footage has emerged of the moment an alleged balaclava-wearing gunman confronted police outside the home of ‘King of the Cross’ John Ibrahim.
Two men were seen acting suspiciously before police were called to George Street in Dover Heights in Sydney’s east shortly before 9am on Thursday.
The two men fled in a Cupra SUV and were heading towards Bellevue Hill when they were stopped by police.
The 20-year-old driver was arrested while the 24-year-old passenger fled on foot before being detained in a nearby backyard. A semi-automatic firearm and a revolver were found in the vehicle.
The video shows a plainclothes police officer with a gun holster clearly visible as he struggles with a man wearing all-black clothing and a ski mask, who breaks away and runs down the street.
A second man is shown sitting on the sidewalk, handcuffed.
Police are reportedly investigating whether the suspected gunman sprang into action when he saw a neighbour of Mr Ibrahim driving down the street in a car very similar to one he is known to travel in, before realising his mistake.
Detectives were seen speaking to Ibrahim at his home shortly after the arrests. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Ibrahim is charged with any crime.
Suspected gunman confronts armed police outside John Ibrahim’s mansion
The two men were caught acting suspiciously near the home of John Ibrahim (pictured) before police were called to the scene on George Street in Dover Heights before 9am on Thursday.
Two men aged 20 and 24 were arrested and appeared in court charged with various offences.
Police had blocked roads into Dover Heights as a PolAir helicopter circled overhead in the wealthy coastal suburb in pursuit of the two men.
A black Range Rover was later seen leaving the area under police escort at around 10am.
A neighbor said she witnessed the police chase.
“I thought as long as the police were chasing them I would be fine,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
He added that he considered the street to be fairly safe, but that any incidents received more attention because of the suburb’s well-known residents, such as Ibrahim, whose high-profile career as boss of the Kings Cross nightclub has been turned into two television shows.
“No matter where you live, these things happen,” he said.
Police intervened after two men wearing balaclavas were seen in broad daylight near Ibrahim’s home, and both men were arrested following a police operation.
Police blocked roads leading to Dover Heights as a PolAir helicopter hovered overhead in the upmarket eastern Sydney suburb. Officers were later seen speaking to Ibrahim at his home.
Both arrested men were taken to Waverley Police Station.
They have since appeared in court on Friday charged with a total of 19 offences.
Bankstown plumber Yousif Zrayka has been charged with eight offences, including stalking and intimidating Ibrahim’s neighbours, possessing an unauthorised and loaded black revolver and taking part in a police chase, according to reports. The Daily Telegraph.
And Siaosi Maeakafa Tupoulahi, 24, of Campsie, has been charged with 11 offences including possession of a Glock pistol and unauthorised ammunition, intimidation, assaulting police and not wearing a seatbelt.
According to court documents, the neighbor allegedly mistaken for the alleged target and his passenger are referred to as “Witness A” and “Witness B” in an effort to protect their identities.
The accused couple will appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Monday for a bail hearing.
