Burnet Street residents have described a frightening Monday afternoon after a man allegedly armed with a knife moved along the Ballina street, threatening people near local homes.

Wesley Roberts, 35, appeared before Bail Division Court today charged with five offences following the incident.

Police allege Roberts threatened members of the public with a knife before officers arrived.

He was charged with armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, custody of a knife in a public place, carrying a knife visible in a public place causing fear, and two counts of stalk/intimidate intending fear of physical harm.

Resident says knife was pointed at them

A Burnet Street resident, who asked not to be named, told Ballina News Daily they contacted police after Roberts allegedly threatened them near their front yard.

The resident said they had gone outside after hearing him yelling at a neighbour’s dogs.

“I was making sure everything was okay,” the resident said.

“He was about one metre away from me when he pointed the knife at me and said he was going to f*ing stab me.”

The resident said Roberts then moved further along the footpath, towards the Pod Village end of Burnet Street, allegedly saying he was going to kill someone.

‘This could have ended very differently’

Burnet Street resident Simon said Roberts later ended up outside his home, leaving his wife frightened inside the house.

“He ended up outside our house, looked through our front sliding doors and made a lunging motion with the knife towards my wife while she was standing in the kitchen,” Simon said.

“She ran to get me and by the time I got outside to see where he was and to call police, they were already there dealing with him near the Hickey Street and Burnet Street T-intersection.”

Simon said the knife was thrown into a bush or garden bed before police recovered it.

“Police recovered it and confiscated it,” he said.

“I’d estimate it was around 20 centimetres long.”

Families, children and dog walkers often outside

The incident has shaken residents in a street where families, children and dog walkers are often outside in the afternoon.

“What struck me afterwards was how lucky everyone was,” Simon said.

“There are always kids outside in our street, people walking their dogs and families out and about. This could have ended very differently.

“Today, fate was on the public’s side and so were the police.

“Credit where it’s due, they responded quickly and got the situation under control before anyone was hurt.”

The court was told Roberts was on parole at the time of the alleged offences.

Bail was refused and the matter was adjourned to Ballina Local Court on Thursday, June 11.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has footage or information that may assist police, should contact Ballina Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.