A MAN was ordered to face court on Saturday, charged following a police operation on the state’s Mid North Coast on Friday.

Police were told the armed man was driving a Mazda 323 and travelling between Bowraville and Macksville.

Further inquiries revealed the man had driven north with sightings reported in Nambucca Heads and Bellingen.

The Mazda was found abandoned at Bellingen about 3.45pm and officers attached to Mid North Coast and Coffs/Clarence Police Districts established a perimeter.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police recovered a firearm.

With the assistance of the Dog Unit, a 27-year-old man was arrested just before 4pm, in the backyard of a home on Coronation Street, Bellingen.

He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and charged with:
● Use etc offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence
● Assault officer in execution of duty x 4
● Possess unregistered unauthorised prohibited firearm in public place
● Not keep firearm safely-not pistol/prohibited firearm
● Possess unauthorised firearm
● Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic)
● Never licensed person drive vehicle on road – prior offence

The Macksville man was refused bail to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court on Saturday 9 April 2022.

There are no reports of injuries, including to members of the public.