Mathew Van Beek: TRG, police descend on Perth suburb after reports of man allegedly armed with gel blaster

Heavily-armed officers from the tactical response group have descended on a suburb in Perth’s south after reports of an altercation involving a firearm. The dramatic arrest unfolded in Karawara on Thursday afternoon, after police received a report from a man who’d been threatened by another at a construction site earlier that day. It will be alleged the caller, a 21-year-old man, had been approached by 34-year-old Mathew Lee Van Beek, who they say was known to him, and that he was armed with what appeared to be a firearm. It will be further alleged the younger man was struck, which allegedly left him with minor injuries that did not require treatment. In a statement, police alleged the alleged offender then left the area. Following the call to police several hours later — about 2.30pm, police deployed the TRG, Regional Operations Group and Police Air Wing to the area. Cannington Detectives arrested a 34-year-old man at a premise on Corfield Street in Gosnells that day, where it will be alleged a gel blaster was also located and seized. Mr Van Beek has been charged with three offences: being armed or pretending to be armed in a way that may cause fear, common assault and carried or possessed a prohibited weapon. He appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon, where he applied for bail, which was not opposed by police prosecutors. In court he confirmed “I do know him” when asked about the alleged victim. He was released on bail on the condition he not approach within 50m of the man, or contact him. His matter was adjourned for three weeks to July 3 in Armadale Magistrates Court.