Millions watched Jack Karlson get arrested after a 'juicy' Chinese meal. Thirty years later, Aussie Larrikin has revealed the TRUTH about his run-in with the law – and all was not as it seemed…

More than 32 years after one of the most dramatic arrests Australia has ever seen, the man taken into custody has revealed all was not as it seemed.

The legendary bust of the 'juicy Chinese meal' took place on October 11, 1991 and was filmed by a Channel 7 news crew who had been tipped off to it.

“Gentlemen, this is a manifesto of democracy,” shouted small-time crook and part-time actor Jack Karlson as police tried to get him into a police car.

“Get your hand off my penis,” he continued as he was surrounded by officers outside a Chinese restaurant in Brisbane.

But almost a third of a century later, Karlson has revealed that no one actually grabbed his penis that day – he made it up for show.

In an interview with New Zealand comedian and TV personality Guy Williams, Karlson was asked why he claimed his penis was touched by a police officer.

“Because I'm being arrested,” he said. “You should be able to say things like that, shouldn't you?”

In the original video, which has been viewed millions of times on YouTube, Karlson yelled at police more like a Shakespearean actor than a man arrested on suspicion of credit card fraud.

'What's the charge? Eating a meal? A juicy Chinese meal,” he said.

“Ooh, that's a nice headlock, sir. Ah yes, I see you know judo well.'

Karlson looked at the camera and claimed the arrest was a “manifesto of democracy.”

Nearly 33 years later, Karlson spoke about the experience.

“I probably thought that demonstration about democracy: there it is again,” he said.

'They do the same thing over and over again. The police come in with guns and handcuffs. I thought: let's make a show of it.'

Karlson was also asked about the long-held rumor that part of the reason for his tirade during his arrest was that he was trying to be committed to an insane asylum.

“Oh, that's what I said. Yes,” he admitted.

'You said that to the ABC. Were you talking,” Williams asked.

'Yes. Of course,” Karlson replied, his deep actor's voice still sounding good.

As it turns out, the arrest that made him famous was a case of mistaken identity, but the minute-long clip has since become the subject of countless memes and even has its own Wikipedia page.

The story behind it has now been told in a book called Carnage: A Succulent Chinese Meal, Mr Rent-a-Kill and the Australian Manson Murders, by journalist Mark Dapin.

Small-time crook and part-time actor Jack Karlson (pictured) has gotten older, but his booming voice is still intact

Karlson is arrested in Brisbane on October 11, 1991 in front of a TV news crew

Dapin, the author of two previous investigations into true crimes of armed robbers and fugitives, describes Karlson as “absolutely the most interesting crime I've ever encountered.”

Karlson is a talented painter and actor who starred in a music video for punk rock band The Chats and appeared as an extra in classic Australian television dramas Homicide, Division 4 and Matlock Police.

He has been held in prisons in Brisbane (Boggo Road), Sydney (Parramatta, Long Bay) and Melbourne (Pentridge) and has escaped from custody three times.

But he has never lost his desire and ability to create a scene when the opportunity presents itself.