A 16-hour stand-off with police has ended with the arrest of a man on his boat in Carey Bay.
The 55-year-old was allegedly in possession of a number of weapons including knives, garden shears and spears as he threatened officers from the Marine Local Area Command who tried to arrest him yesterday morning at Toronto's Wharf Road Jetty.
He then set sail for Carey Bay and moored his yacht about 300 metres from shore, at one stage lighting a small fire on the vessel.
Specialist police boarded the yacht just after 3.00am on Wednesday and arrested him.
He's now being interviewed by detectives at Toronto Police Station.
Update:
Police have now charged a 55-year-old man over yesterday's stand-off at Lake Macquarie.
Officers from the Marine Local Area Command attempted to to speak with the man at the Toronto Wharf yesterday morning about an outstanding warrant. They were accompanied by officers from Roads and Maritime Services who wanted to decommission his yacht because it was not seaworthy.
It's alleged the man became agitated and started throwing items at the officers, forcing them to retreat and call for back-up. It's also alleged he attempted to fire flares at them before setting sail to Carey Bay where a stand-off developed.
Officers noticed the man attempting to move the yacht at about 3.00am today and fired a couple of so-called 'bean bag' rounds at the vessel (small sacks filled with sand designed to sting, not injure), prompting the man to jump into the water. He was arrested moments later.
He's now been charged in connection with the original warrant. He's also been charged with using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, throw missile at officer executing duty and destroying or damaging property.
The man's been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court this morning.
