In dramatic scenes on a quiet street in Wanniassa, police on Thursday arrested a man following a police pursuit through Tuggeranong - and after he at one point hid in a child's cubby house.
Police from midday on Thursday pursued a car, which had been driving dangerously, from Gordon north towards Wanniassa, where it crashed into a tree, and one of two occupants in the car fled.
Drugs were found in the car and two guns were found in a backpack believed to be owned by the man.
In an incredible coincidence, an innocent couple were caught up in the events - even though they were a kilometre apart at the time.
Karen Altpere was at home in O'Hea Street, Wanniassa when she heard yelling and then police swarming the area.
It's believed the man had run from the scene of the car crash in Wheeler Crescent to O'Hea Street, where he tried to hide on Ms Altpere's property, first in a cubby house in the front yard and then towards the back of the residence. Police quickly found and arrested the man.
At the same time as the arrest was happening, Ms Altpere's partner, Joe Myers, was driving home on Drakeford Drive when he found a bag dumped by the side of the road. It is now believed to be connected to the case.
Mr Myers said there were guns and an axe in the bag and he was on his way to the police station to hand it in.
Ms Altpere rang her partner to tell him what had happened at their house - only for him to say he had something just as dramatic to tell her.
"I was about a 'k' away when I found the bag with the weapons in it and I knew it was no good and was on the way to the cop shop to drop it off and Karen rang me and said, 'There's police here' so I don't need to go to the cop shop, I can just come home and pass it on'," he said.
Mr Myers said the whole incident had been astounding as well as upsetting.
"It's scary that they can just come into our property. We've got young ones we want to keep safe," he said.
"But, he's gone and we're all safe."
Inspector Nigel Booth, the officer-in-charge of Gungahlin police station, said the events unfolded from midday on Thursday when a ute driving northwards was spotted driving erratically in Gordon.
"Police have engaged with a white Falcon ute that was driving dangerously down in Gordon. Police have tried to stop-stick that vehicle a number of times and been successful," Inspector Booth said.
"That vehicle has continued into Wanniassa where it has crashed against a tree. One male's got out of the vehicle and ran from police.
"A short time later, due to the assistance from the community, police have located that male.
"Additionally, in proximity to that vehicle, we've found a backpack suspected to belong to that person of interest.
"The bag contains two firearms.
"It's suspected the car is containing drugs and another paraphernalia. It had a strong odour of drugs. They are yet to be analysed, so we can't comment on the nature of those drugs."
Inspector Booth said it was not known if the car was stolen.
He said the vehicle was "moving in and out of traffic and causing a danger to the public".
The man was arrested at 12.30pm.
Between first spotting the vehicle and the arrest, police lost contact with the car a number of times and "re-engaged with it".
Two people were in the car; a 27-year-old man was arrested, and the other was assisting police with their inquiries.
Inspector Booth said the events of Thursday were concerning to police and the community, especially given the reckless driving, allegedly with guns and drugs in the car.
"It could have been quite disastrous to be honest with you," he said.
"It's not only placing my officers at risk, it's placing members of the community at risk. That's when we get very upset with the manner of driving and that's why we continue to pursue these people."
Inspector Booth could not comment on whether the second person was a minor.
"The arrested male is known to police and with the assistance of NSW Police, we were able to engage with that person," he said.
The man had been charged with failure to stop and was due to appear in court on Friday.
Further charges are expected.
