Australian man arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly carrying imitation gun

Hong Kong police have arrested an Australian man at a bar in Yau Ma Tei on suspicion of possessing an imitation firearm.

The 36-year-old was arrested a second time on Wednesday night for criminal damage after he allegedly vandalised the detention facility while in police custody.

Police were first alerted at 10.14pm on Wednesday when a passer-by reported a person behaving suspiciously near an alley at 213 Shanghai Street while carrying a gun-like object.

The suspect subsequently entered a bar at 192 Temple Street with the weapon, prompting another police report.

Officers arrived at the scene and seized an air gun from the suspect. They arrested him for alleged possession of an imitation firearm.

A source familiar with the case said the man smelled of alcohol at the time of his arrest.

While in custody at Yau Ma Tei police station, the suspect grew agitated and smashed a wall beside a smoke detector inside the facility. He was arrested again for alleged criminal damage.

The Yau Tsim district crime investigation team is investigating the case.

In Hong Kong, possession of an imitation firearm carries a maximum two-year jail sentence, while criminal damage is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment.