Police lock down major road in Melbourne’s CBD as cops hunt an ‘erratic’ man clutching PETROL cans and ‘hazardous material’
- Victoria Police have arrested an ‘erratic’ man in Melbourne’s CBD court district
- Police cars barricaded several streets in the CBD in a major police operation
- The man was arrested at 7.45am with delays expected through the morning
- Williams Street, between Bourke Street and Lonsdale Street, has been blocked
Police arrested an ‘erratic’ man in Melbourne’s CBD in a major operation during rush hour.
Police cars barricaded several streets in Melbourne’s court district on Tuesday morning in response to reports of a man in possession of petrol cans and ‘hazardous materials’ inside a building on William Street.
The man was arrested at about 7.45am and taken to hospital under police guard.
An ‘erratic’ man with a trolley was arrested on Tuesday morning after entering a building in Melbourne’s CBD court district
Witnesses said the man’s trolley was ‘full of chemicals or explosives’ with police alleging he was carrying cans of petrol and ‘hazardous material’
‘The scene has since been declared safe and there is no ongoing threat to the community,’ a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
Fire Rescue Victoria said the incident was declared under control at 8.15am after firefighters determined there was no flammable risk.
Witnesses Sam Di Palma and Daniel Safstrom said they were getting a coffee when they saw a man in the building with a trolley and officers were trying to talk to him.
An ‘erratic’ man was arrested in a major operation in Melbourne’s CBD on Tuesday morning
William Street (above) has been blocked in both directions by a major police operation in Melbourne’s CBD
‘A bloke (was) behind a counter with a trolley full of chemicals or explosives,’ Mr Di Palma told Australian Associated Press.
Mr Safstrom said the police ‘sent one of their guys in to sit down and negotiate, so they both grabbed a chair’.
‘I’m a bit shocked to be honest. It’s something different,’ he said.
Police said the man was arrested at 7.45am on Tuesday following reports he was in possession of petrol cans and ‘hazardous materials’
A major police operation (above) in Melbourne’s CBD has blocked traffic in both directions
The building the man entered building houses offices for CGU Insurance, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Court Services Victoria and legal firms including Gordon Legal and Baker McKenzie.
Traffic on Williams Street, between Bourke Street and Lonsdale Street, was blocked in both directions. Tram services have also been diverted.
Delays are expected to continue in the CBD through the morning as emergency services work to clear the scene.
Photos show police and firefighting crews are working in the area while helicopters fly overhead.
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