Police arrested a suspected prolific offender yesterday who is wanted for questioning in connection with a firearms offence.

The 26-year-old man was taken into Police custody on Parsons Road at 2.30 p.m. — 90 minutes after heavily armed officers entered a home on Seagull Lane, in Spanish Point, where the suspect was believed to be holed up.

The drama began at 10 a.m. when two officers saw the suspect enter a pink home and called for back up. However, in the meantime it appears the suspect left the premises through a back exit.

By 11 a.m. Spanish Point Road was blocked off between the junctions of North Shore Road and North Cote Road while several heavily armed officers surrounded the home.

The Police could be heard using a loudspeaker urging the suspect to leave the premises. They said: "Please pick up the phone we are trying to make contact. Please acknowledge that you hear us."

Within an hour, as more Police carrying guns and shields surrounded the building, the message relayed over a loudspeaker said: "You are surrounded by armed Police. Please pick up the phone."

Meanwhile the suspect's brother told The Royal Gazette: "He is not in there."

At 1 p.m. Police rushed into the house, along with a canine unit. Minutes later they emerged from the building and Spanish Point Road was reopened.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police James Howard said: "We had confirmation that he was there. We went through the options, we wanted to give the suspect an opportunity to come out. When we entered no-one was in the house and no firearms were found."

But within 70 minutes of the siege the individual — who The Royal Gazette has decided not to name for legal reasons — was arrested by Police while walking along Parsons Road.

Speaking after the incident a neighbour said the Seagull Lane residence was raided by Police last week as well.

The man, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "I didn't see much [yesterday] I just saw the Police rushing to this yard.

"And I tried to look over and saw them all with guns so obviously I knew something was up.

"Something happened here last week of the same type they searched the whole premises but I don't think they found anything."

He added: "It's obviously nerve-racking because I have two kids, aged eleven and eight. It's just a big shock.

"It was a lot of Police action, just a lot of heavily armed officers. And it's got to be done, but I have never had any trouble with the neighbours and I've been here for ten years."

Another neighbour who wished to be anonymous said: "When I came out and saw Police in the yard, they said go back inside because it had to do with someone having guns. It happened around 9.30 a.m. or 10 a.m. They said no one can come out of the neighbourhood.

"No, I wasn't worried because I have peace in my heart and I have no troubles. If it was night time it would be different but daytime wasn't so bad. It was just shocking."