A South Hurstville man has been charged with a string of robberies across Sydney after he was arrested while allegedly holding a fake gun just metres from the Lindt cafe in Martin Place, police say.
Officers from Sydney City command were patrolling George Street in Sydney about 2pm on Sunday when they were told there was a man carrying what appeared to be a firearm in the busy thoroughfare.
Witnesses said they heard police yelling at the man: "Where is the gun?" while they searched his backpack and pockets.
Police will allege the 54-year-old was carrying a replica firearm inside a plastic bag.
The man was arrested about 400 metres from the Lindt cafe, the site where Tori Johnson, 34, and Katrina Dawson, 38, were killed after being held hostage by lone gunman, Man Haron Monis.
Monis also died during the Sydney siege on December 16 last year. A total of 17 people were held hostage inside the popular cafe during the siege. The Lindt cafe re-opened for business on March 20, three months after the siege.
The man arrested on Sunday afternoon was taken to Day Street police station and charged with eight counts of robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon.
Police will allege in court that the robberies occurred in the Sydney metropolitan area between February 27 and March 29. In each robbery, the man allegedly used a semi-automatic pistol and sometimes wore a surgical mask.
Police also searched a home in Truman Street in South Hurstville on Sunday night and seized a pair of shoes and clothing.
The man was refused police bail to appear at Central Local Court on Monday