/ 25 May 2007

Star Wars fan feels the Force after arrest

An Australian Star Wars fan has been left regretting his brush with “the Force” after police arrested him for carrying a toy laser.

The 32-year-old was walking through central Melbourne on Thursday when the pistol-shaped laser poking out of his backpack sparked a security scare at the city’s Crown Casino.

Diners in the casino alerted authorities about the black-clad man, who was reportedly on his way to a photo shoot to mark the 30th anniversary of the science-fiction blockbuster.

Police said armed officers forced him to the ground and arrested him.

A police spokesperson said he would be charged with possessing an unregistered firearm. She said the charge applied even for a fake. — AFP