Wollongong: Man arrested after alleged hostage situation
An armed man has been arrested after a police pursuit turned into a major police operation, with another man held against his will for hours in an alleged siege.
Officers say they began the chase after a man was observed allegedly driving dangerously on Five Islands Rd near Wollongong at around 10am.
The man allegedly travelled on the wrong side of the road before ramming a police car on Railway Pde, police say.
Officers allege he then dumped the car and ran into a unit complex, allegedly armed with a shortened firearm.
Police established a perimeter around the unit block as the 25-year-old allegedly held another man against his will.
Residents from surrounding homes were evacuated and the street was shut down.
Armoured police vehicles were sent into the suburban street, as negotiators worked to free the man.
He was then released unharmed at about 2:30pm.
The alleged offender then surrendered himself and was arrested “without incident” at around 3:10pm.
He was taken to Wollongong Police Station where charges are expected to be laid.
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