Bomb scare sparks chaos in Bondi as man in duct‑taped vest arrested
A man has been arrested and charged after a bomb scare sparked chaos.
Police said the 34-year-old was seen wearing a camouflage vest covered in duct-taped objects at Bondi Junction, raising fears of explosives on Sunday.
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He later insisted that the vest was for exercise purposes only.
The scare emerged just days after the one-month anniversary of the Bondi attacks and officers took no chances.
Cleophias Machaya was stopped on Oxford Street just after 10pm, allegedly for asking where Bondi Beach was.
Eyewitnesses told 7NEWS the footage was alarming.
“This was concerning, especially given the events of the last few weeks,” said a Sydney man.
A Bondi woman added: “This is very childish and attention seeking behavior… we have no time for this.”
Machaya was taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where the bomb squad examined the vest, along with a second vest found in their van. Both were considered safe. Officers also allegedly found a face mask and a box believed to contain drugs.
He was charged with providing false information to endangered person/property, possession of prohibited drugs and aggressive behavior in/near public places/school.
In court on Monday, his defense argued that the vest was a resistance training device he used to prepare for a possible attempt to qualify for the UFC.
Machaya was given strict bail conditions and is expected to appear in court again next month.
