A man accused of taking a person hostage during a five-hour siege in Wollongong has thanked his family during his first appearance in court.
Trevor Leal was charged overnight with a string of offences following a major police operation outside a unit complex on Bourke Street on Thursday.
The 25-year-old is accused of being armed with a shortened gun when he allegedly fled into the unit block at about 10am.
Mr Leal allegedly held a man hostage during the lengthy stand-off at the Bourke Street property.
Police claim he released the man around 2:30pm before surrendering about half an hour later.
'We love you'
In Wollongong Local Court on Friday Mr Leal appeared via video link from police custody wearing a dark green T-shirt.
He spoke briefly to ask Magistrate Darryl Pearce about his charges but did not apply for bail.
Several of his family and friends supported him in the public gallery and waved to him on the screen.
"We love you," they said repeatedly.
"Love yas all," Mr Leal replied.
Waving from the police cells, the accused thanked the group for their support.
"Thanks for everything yesterday," he said.
Alleged car chase
Mr Leal is charged with eight offences, including possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority, possess loaded firearm public place, take/detain person to obtain advantage, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, never licensed person drive vehicle on road and use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention.
Police claim that prior to the siege Mr Leal was spotted driving a white Toyota Corolla erratically at Berkeley but failed to stop for officers.
He is accused of ramming a police car during a short pursuit towards Wollongong before mounting a footpath outside the block of units and fleeing on foot inside.
The matter has been adjourned and is due to be mentioned before Wollongong Local Court again on November 23.
