BY IAN CROUCH

Stunned residents have watched as heavily armed police swooped on a Wallsend unit block.

The drama unfolded on Wednesday morning in Bousfield Street and Lake Road as detectives and the dog squad joined officers from the tactical operations unit in the coordinated raid.

They chased down three men and two women who fled the apartment complex and took them into custody.

Four of them were later released without charge after being fined for breaching public health orders.

However, police arrested their target – a man wanted over a string of alleged offences including an armed robbery at Mayfield last month.

He’s due to face Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 3 September, 2021) charged with robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon; armed aggravated enter dwelling, stalk and intimidate, affray, possess prohibited drug.

He will also face charges relating to two police pursuits, a driving offence and a revocation of parole warrant.

An alleged armed robbery suspect was arrested after being chased by Police down Lake Road at Wallsend. Picture: Daily Telegraph