Wagga police arrest 26-year-old man over McKell Avenue police operation

Police have ruled out the use of a firearm during Wednesday’s break and enter on McKell Avenue.

However, police will still charge the 26-year-old man with unrelated firearm offences.

Police allege between 11.45 and noon the man entered the McKell Avenue home brandishing a baseball bat. 

Police said he confronted one of the home’s occupants, a 33-year-old man, demanding his belongings.

The man allegedly confronted the intruder and attempted to gain hold of the bat. The injured man then climbed out a window and sought refuge at a neighbour’s house.

The intruder left empty-handed and police located him overnight at Brookes Circuit in Tolland.

9.50am

Wagga police commander Superintendent Bob Noble says a 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged over Wednesday’s police operation that had McKell Avenue in lockdown.

Superintendent Noble tweeted on Thursday morning the man had been arrested overnight.

He said he faced various car theft, assault and firearms offences.

It follows an afternoon of high drama on McKell Avenue in Mount Austin, where police had closed the street and told residents not to leave.

There were reports of gunfire before noon and several residents told the Advertiser they had heard similar sounds the night before. 

The same residents said the drug ice had transformed their street into a “living hell”.

More to come.