ARMED POLICE at the scene of yesterday s Shirley Street drama.

Published On:Thursday, March 25, 2010

A SHOTGUN wielding driver trapped two men in their car for around 30 minutes after their car overheated on Shirley Street yesterday afternoon.

Witnesses say the two men in a champagne coloured Nissan Maxima appeared to be experiencing car trouble when they stopped in front of Standard Services in the Church Street Plaza, near the junction with Shirley Street, at around 2pm.

But their difficulties took a dangerous twist when moments later a driver pulled in behind them blocking their car in the Standard Services parking lot.

He then took his shotgun and aimed it at the men who remained in the Nissan as he let out the air in their car tyres and threatened them into staying put.

Standard Services employee Susanne Small said customers and staff were too scared to go in or out of the building while the gunman stood poised outside the hardware store.

And he remained there for around half an hour before police arrived at around 2.30pm.

Officers then arrested the two men in the Nissan and confiscated the shotgun from the driver.

Accident

Mrs Small said she understands the incident may be linked to a car accident in the Eastern Road in which the driver failed to stop, as she believes the driver of the Nissan may have been involved in the collision and the gunman was a witness.

However, police were not able to confirm this before The Tribune went to press.

Mrs Small said: "I don't know if it is right to come out with a shotgun after an accident, but that's what he did.

"He walked out there with this big shotgun in his hand, he stooped down to take the air out of the tyres, and just stood there in the parking lot until the police came.

"We had customers but those who were in stayed in, and those who were out, stayed out.

"I just stayed inside and looked out the window until the police came. I was scared.

"But for him to just come out with a gun when it was just an accident - it was a bit too much!"