Posted: 16:51, August 7, 2022 | Updated: 19:25, August 7, 2022
Heavily armed police swooped on a handsome man strolling through a busy shopping center carrying what appeared to be a gun after terrified shoppers raised the alarm.
Police emergency units cordoned off a large part of central Perth fearing a shootout with the well-sculpted suspect who was also wearing a bulletproof vest.
There was intense panic among Western Australia’s elite Special Response Team as the mysterious figure walked casually through the city’s upmarket Kings Street shopping center on Sunday.
But when the officers made their move, they quickly realized there was a terrible mix-up.
The suspected gunman was actually a 31-year-old exotic dancer named Chad Satchell, who went to work dressed in a SWAT police outfit — and the rifle was just a prop.
Adult entertainer Chad Satchell has been arrested by police after viewers were spooked in his realistic stripper outfit.
Mr Satchell was arrested by police, who may still charge him if the assault weapon turns out to be a gel blaster, which is illegal in Washington
A WA police officer displays the seized ‘assault rifle’, believed to be a gel pellet
The drama unfolded around 2.40pm. (WST) after police received two separate complaints about a man impersonating the officer with a large firearm.
The rifle seized by police is believed to be a pellet blaster that could still be loaded, but it remains unclear if the mount had been disabled. Police say they will run tests to find out.
Gel shooters are illegal in Washington and carry maximum sentences of up to three years in prison or a $36,000 fine.
WA banned gel launchers – which fire water-filled pellets at 100m/s – in July last year because criminals were smuggling replica guns into the state and passing them off as real ones.
Police said Mr Satchell was “assisting with the investigation” after he was arrested without incident.
A police spokesman said that while there proved to be no real threat to the public, the incident was a reminder that the possession and public display of realistic firearms or prohibited weapons was a serious matter.
Mr Satchell is touting ‘SWAT’ as one of his party shows, with others being ‘cop’, ‘sexy Wild West’ and ‘hot-headed sailor’.
Adult entertainer Mr Satchell listed enjoying ‘the finer things in life’ as one of his hobbies
Mr Satchell was “assisting police with their enquiries” after he was arrested for possessing what appeared to be a weapon.
“Members of the public who sought police assistance had genuine concerns for their safety and the safety of others,” police said.
“The firearm in question looks very real and it would be very difficult for any member of the public to be able to determine whether it was in fact real or not.”
Mr Satchell has been working for adult entertainment company Fantasy Entertainment Australia since 2017, where he is listed as a director.
He also plies his trade in demand at hen nights and other wild parties in Perth with various other entertainment groups.
“SWAT” is one of the shows it advertises online, along with “cops,” “sexy Wild West” and “tough sailor.”
In one of the photos on his booking website, Mr Satchell can be seen posing naked apart from his open ‘SWAT’ vest and with a gun held upright over his shoulder.
Mr Satchell, who lists fitness as one of his hobbies, has competed in bodybuilding competitions
Mr Satchell has been working as a male stripper with Fantasy Entertainment Australia since 2017
He describes himself as a miner, investor, dancer and entrepreneur on his social media channels and competed in an international bodybuilding competition in October.
Mr Satchell’s self-described hobbies include “the finer things in life, travel, surfing, boxing, fine dining, fashion, fitness, photography and videography”.
He regularly posts pictures online of himself working out and in luxurious or exotic locations.
Daily Mail Australia has asked Mr Satchell for comment on the incident.
