Man arrested in major Sydney gun scare claims he was at a dress-up party

A man arrested over a gun scare in a major Sydney entertainment precinct has claimed he was at a dress-up party with colleagues in the moments before he was tackled to the ground by police.

Jacopo Mastrocinque, who was wearing what appeared to be a bulletproof vest with a US flag and had a replica gun taped to his chest, was spotted going in and out of restaurants at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park on Monday afternoon.

NSW Police said “all available policing resources” responded swiftly after several concerned witnesses called Triple Zero.

“Any calls to police regarding public safety will be taken very seriously, and there will be an appropriate policing response,” Superintendent Peter Glynn said.

Officers cornered the 35-year-old outside Oporto before arresting him and another 39-year-old man.

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Police reportedly seized a replica firearm, a vest, plastic handcuffs, and a badge following the arrest.

A photo distributed by police also showed a pair of black boots and a cardboard box labelled “hard drugs” adorned with smiley faces and stars.

They were later taken to Surry Hills police station for questioning.

Mastrocinque was charged with a weapons offence and offensive behaviour in a public place.

He was refused bail and appeared in court on Tuesday, where he insisted the costume was for a dress-up party with colleagues.

The 39-year-old man was charged with drug possession and bailed to appear in court on August 20.

People in the area at the time told 9News several restaurants and precincts were told to go into lockdown and keep people inside.

“My friend saw out of the corner of his eye a man coming forward,” a girl said.

“We didn’t – we saw a gun on his chest, but we were like, ‘Is he wearing a costume? Is it real?’ It looked like a pistol. 

“It was really scary. I’ve never seen something like that happen in real life, so it was terrifying.”

Two girls who were at a nearby college were told not to leave yet for the day and to stay inside until the operation had finished.

Glynn called it “a timely reminder” about the heightened concerns those within the community have about public safety.

“People need to be mindful of how they act, and how they dress, and how they behave in public,” Glynn said.