A 60-year-old man faces 18 “intent to murder” charges after allegedly shooting indiscriminately at people on a suburban Sydney street.

Artemios Mintzas allegedly peppered a busy shopping strip in Croydon Park with up to 100 bullets on Sunday night, plunging residents into a two-hour lockdown.

He was charged late Monday with 25 offences, including 18 counts of shooting with intent to murder, possessing an unregistered firearm and unlicensed possession of ammunition.

The father of two, who worked for Sydney Trains, had “very few” interactions with police over the past 20 years, according to police.

Police said he had a “couple of children” and no known mental health issues. 

Mintzas was refused police bail and was expected to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday.

Up to 100 bullets were sprayed at terrified locals who scrambled for shelter as windows and glass around them shattered and bullet holes were left in nearby cars.

Mintzas is accused of engaging in a shootout with police after officers were targeted in the shooting spree, NSW Police acting Superintendent Stephen Parry said.

While no officers were hurt, more than a dozen people were treated for minor injuries, many of which were caused by broken glass.

One man had emergency surgery and is expected to survive after being shot in the neck while riding in the back seat of a car.

The shots were allegedly fired from the window of a unit above a shop during a near-two-hour stand-off.

Mintzas was arrested after tactical officers stormed his unit, and a rifle and ammunition were seized.

The alleged offender was taken to hospital for minor injuries and was later taken to a police station to be charged.

-with AAP