A man caught with a sub-machine gun at one of Sydney’s major shopping centre has been refused bail. The 41-year-old did not apply for bail when he was presented before the Newtown Local Court. He is expected to appear before the court next week. Till then, he will remain in police custody.

Marc Avidov travelled to the shopping mall carrying a Thompson brand fully automatic sub-machine gun, a magazine and 15 shotgun shells by taxi at lunchtime on Wednesday. He was met with the officers of the State Crime Command's Firearms Squad and Tactical Operations Unit, who were carrying out a police operation in the car park of the shopping centre on Murray Street. According to the police, they discovered the gun and the ammunitions when they stopped him and checked his bag.

The type of gun found with Avidov was usually used by the New York gangsters in the early 20th century and was widely in use during World War II.

"That's a pretty serious weapon," a police spokesman was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald as saying. "It is not one that often turns up."

According to a witness to the arrest, "I've never seen that sort of thing happen before.”

He added, "From what I understand, since it was an undercover operation, [the shopping centre car park] is the best place. If it's in public nothing can happen to anyone."

The NSW Police refused to comment on their covert operation on grounds of public safety as the matter is already before the court. But according to a spokesperson, officers from different branch of police took part in making the arrest possible.

The man has been charged on a number of counts after the arrest including possession of an unregistered and prohibited firearm, acquisition of unlicensed firearm and also possession of it without a license. He has also been charged with outstanding warrants.

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