Mums picnicking in Sydney’s Centennial Park ran in terror as police dramatically arrested three suspected organised crime figures in hi-vis jackets.
A mother told reporters she was nearby with her nine-month-old child when officers pounced on two vehicles containing two handguns and $500,000 cash.
One of the men was arrested in a van, its windscreen seen peppered with bullet holes in the aftermath of the operation.
Heavily-armed police made the first two arrests just before noon, smashing the passenger-side window of a Toyota Pajero.
Mums picnicking in Sydney’s Centennial Park ran in terror as police dramatically arrested three suspected organised crime figures in hi-vis (pictured is a white van after the arrests)
A mother told reporters she was nearby with her nine-month-old child when officers pounced on two vehicles containing two handguns and $500,000 cash (pictured is the white van)
One of the men was arrested in a white van, its windscreen seen peppered with bullet holes in the aftermath of the operation (pictured are police on the scene)
Police then arrested a third man in a white Thrifty hire van 20 metres away and deployed tactical devices.
Organised Crime Squad officers from the State Crime Command seized bundles of cash and two firearms during the operation, The Daily Telegraph reported.
‘I was sitting in my car writing and then … bang, bang, bang, bang, bang … I looked over and there was smoke coming out of these automatic rifles,’ a witness said.
‘First thing I thought was “Oh it’s a movie, where’s the cast?” I knew to be careful and not put my head up or anything.’
A mother told reports she was nearby with her nine-month-old child when officers pounced on two vehicles (pictured is the Toyota Pajero where two men were arrested)
Witnesses reported hearing shots, but police said the noises were made by a tactical device used by officers (pictured is the Thrifty hire van where one man was arrested)
Nobody was injured, but witnesses reported being shocked by the gunshots and the dramatic police operation, Nine News reported.
Witnesses reported hearing shots, but police said the noises were made by the tactical devices used by officers.
‘The arrests relate to an ongoing investigation by the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad,’ a New South Wales Police spokesman said on Wednesday.
Footage from the scene showed a white four-wheel drive with its doors flung open parked precariously in the middle of Grand Drive.
At least three people have been arrested, two in a white Toyota Pajero in Sydney’s Centennial Park after shots were reportedly fired at a van (pictured)
Just after noon on Wednesday police smashed the passenger-side window of a white Toyota Pajero, arrested two men, and seized a number of items (pictured is one of the arrests)
Police searched both vehicles while nearby officers processed evidence retrieved from the cars.
The operation unfolded around 100 metres away from the park’s main cafe.
The police spokesperson said the operation was not counter-terrorism related.
Police searched both vehicles (pictured is the interior of the white van) while nearby officers processed evidence retrieved from the cars