A 50-year-old man will face Manly Local Court this week after allegedly threatening two walkers with a chainsaw on the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail.
The incident occurred on the morning of Sunday, 2 November, when two people in their 20s were walking near Pipeclay Point. According to NSW Police, the pair encountered a man with a battery-powered chainsaw who allegedly activated the tool and made threatening gestures towards them.
The walkers quickly left the area and contacted police from Jamieson Park on The Esplanade in Narrabeen, where they provided officers with a description of the man.
Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command followed the trail to a makeshift campsite, where they located the 50-year-old man in possession of a chainsaw. He was arrested at the scene and transported to Manly Police Station.
The man, who has no fixed address, has been charged with being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence and intimidation with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm. He was refused bail and is scheduled to appear before Manly Local Court on Wednesday, 12 November.
Police also seized a white 2015 Ford Fiesta that had been parked in bushland adjacent to the trail near the man’s camp. The vehicle had reportedly been noticed in the area in recent weeks.
According to police, the location has previously been used as an unofficial campsite, and there have been prior reports of walkers being threatened on the trail. Northern Beaches Police have contacted Northern Beaches Council to explore options for preventing unauthorised vehicle access to the area.
The charges carry maximum penalties of seven years and five years imprisonment respectively.
Published 11-November-2025
