Police have arrested a Merewether man accused of carrying a gun into a shopping centre at Newcastle West.
Staff at the Marketown Shopping Centre noticed the man shopping for food in the early hours of Thursday morning and called police when they noticed what appeared to be a gun in a plastic bag he was carrying.
Officers arrived and searched the man, allegedly finding a replica pistol.
The 49-year-old is also accused of breaching curfew bail.
He was taken to Newcastle Police station where he was charged with being in possession of an unauthorised replica pistol and breach of bail.
He's been refused bail and is due to face Newcastle Local Court later today.
