Man, 35, Sparks Huge Police Response by Wearing Fake Gun and Bulletproof Vest to His Office Costume Party

Jacopo Mastrocinque was arrested in Sydney, Australia on Monday, Aug. 3

NEED TO KNOW

• Jacopo Mastrocinque, 35, was arrested in Sydney, Australia on Monday, Aug. 3 after wearing a fake gun and bulletproof vest to a costume party, according to local reports
• Police responded to the scene after locals reported the man after spotting him near within the Entertainment Precinct at Moore Park, officials said in a release
• Mastrocinque claimed the outfit was for a “heroes and villains” party, per 7News

A man was arrested for wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a fake gun while reportedly attending a costume party in Sydney, Australia.

At around 4:45 p.m. local time on Monday, Aug. 3, the Surry Hills Police responded to reports of “a man carrying a firearm within the Entertainment Precinct” in the Sydney suburb of Moore Park, the New South Wales (NSW) Police said in a release.

“Two men have been arrested after a police operation in Moore Park this afternoon,” police stated.

“On arrival, officers located two men, one of which allegedly wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a firearm. The two men, aged 39 and 35, were arrested and a replica firearm, a vest, and a badge were seized,” officials added, per the release.

The man wearing the items was identified as 35-year-old pizza shop owner Jacopo Mastrocinque, per 7News and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 

Concerned locals spotted Mastrocinque wearing what appeared to be a black bulletproof vest with an American flag on the chest and a fake gun attached to it, according to 9News, which shared footage of the man in the outfit.

“We saw a gun on his chest, but we were like, ‘Is he wearing a costume? Is it real?’ It looked like a pistol,” one witness told the outlet.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Footage obtained by 9News showed swarms of police surrounding Mastrocinque, pointing guns at him outside a restaurant in the Entertainment Precinct while an officer screamed at him to “Get down!”

Mastrocinque was later seen in handcuffs being escorted away by two police officers before being put into a police van, in another video shared by the NSW Police on Facebook.

The incident took place just miles away from the December 2025 terror attack at Bondi Beach, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people.

Mastrocinque appeared at Bail Division Court on Tuesday, Aug. 4. His lawyer explained that he was in costume for a dress-up party with colleagues at a bowling alley in the precinct. He’d allegedly told police it was a “heroes and villains” party, and that he was “dressed like a hero,” per 7News.

Mastrocinque was charged with offensive behavior and possessing an unregistered, unauthorized pistol in a public place, the outlet stated.

He was granted bail after evidence was found of other people wearing costumes at the party, per the ABC.

The judge noted that Mastrocinque didn’t attempt to leave the scene or “do anything stupid” during his arrest, adding that he didn’t have a criminal history, according to 7News. His bail conditions include that he’s not allowed to enter the Entertainment Quarter, the outlet stated. Mastrocinque is set to appear in court on Aug. 18.

The 39-year-old suspect, who hasn’t been named, was also charged over the incident and granted conditional bail. His first court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 20, per the ABC.

The NSW Police said in a statement to PEOPLE on Tuesday, “There are no further updates from the NSW Police – the matter is now before the Court.”

The investigation is ongoing.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Bail Division Court for additional information, but didn’t immediately hear back.