Gosport Man Blows Smoke Bomb in Front of Police in Bizarre Arrest
A Gosport man sparked chaos by detonating a smoke bomb right in front of police before cops swiftly tackled him to the ground and called in bomb disposal experts.
Smoke and Shock at Gosport Home
The drama unfolded on the morning of August 28, 2023, at a property on Davenport Close, Carr Court, Gosport. Police arrived just before 10am to arrest 54-year-old Damian Mazurkiewicz on an unrelated matter.
But instead of going quietly, Mazurkiewicz shocked officers by brandishing what looked like a fake gun and triggering a device strapped to his body that released a cloud of thick black smoke.
Quick Police Response Averts Danger
Emergency crews acted fast. Officers deployed a Taser to bring Mazurkiewicz down and evacuated nearby residents as a precaution. The Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was called in to secure and safely remove the suspicious device.
Charges and Court Drama
Mazurkiewicz now faces serious charges including intending to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property, alongside possession of an imitation firearm.
Initially denying the charges, he dramatically changed his plea to guilty on the very first day of his trial at Winchester Crown Court on February 21, 2024.
He remains behind bars awaiting sentencing at Portsmouth Crown Court on March 27, 2024.
Police Praise for Officers’ Bravery
“The officers involved showed exceptional courage and professionalism,” said Chief Inspector Chris Spellerberg, District Commander for Fareham & Gosport. “Their swift and decisive action ensured public safety and prevented what could have been a serious incident.”
Spellerberg also thanked all supporting teams for their quick work in bringing the case to this stage, leading to Mazurkiewicz’s conviction.
Stay tuned for updates as this explosive case moves closer to sentencing.
