In a shocking sequence of events that unfolded in Melbourne’s Central Business District on Tuesday morning, a man was arrested following an alleged spree of carjackings and a dramatic police pursuit. Witnesses reported the suspect brandishing a gun in the lobby of a boutique hotel, adding to the chaos that gripped the city.
Police apprehended the man after he allegedly commandeered two vehicles at gunpoint, careened through city streets, and mounted footpaths before fleeing on foot through the hotel lobby. The suspect, who sustained injuries during his arrest, is currently receiving treatment at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Remarkably, no members of the public were harmed during the incident.
Details of the Pursuit
Footage from the scene captures the dramatic arrest, with police escorting a handcuffed man, blood visible on his face, down the hotel stairs to an awaiting ambulance stretcher. The suspect was dressed in a sports jacket, business shirt, and long pants, presenting a stark contrast to the chaos he allegedly caused.
Little Bourke Street, near Chinatown, was temporarily closed as police conducted a thorough investigation around 11 a.m. Acting Inspector Emma Lobb provided a timeline of events, stating that the incident began around 8 a.m. when the suspect, traveling with his wife, reportedly became distressed and intended to file a complaint at a police station. Details of the complaint remain unclear.
After running out of petrol, the man allegedly became agitated, carjacking a vehicle and heading towards North Melbourne. The situation escalated as he reportedly commandeered a second vehicle, making his way into the heart of the CBD.
Witness Accounts and Police Response
Humberto Aguilar, a guest at the hotel where the arrest occurred, recounted his harrowing experience in the lobby. “He put the gun on me. I had my back to the wall,” Aguilar, visiting Melbourne for the upcoming marathon, described the tense encounter before police intervened.
Geoff, a chef at the Lancemore Crossley St hotel, described the shock of witnessing the event. “I just saw this gun pointing at me and sort of waving and this guy screaming,” he said. “I just ran out. It felt shocking. You’re sort of wondering what’s happening here in Melbourne.”
Another witness, Nazer, was working on Little Bourke Street when he heard cries warning of a man with a gun. He observed police pursuing the suspect and firing a rubber bullet, which missed and struck his car instead.
Additional accounts from a teenage boy and an ABC News crew painted a picture of the suspect’s erratic driving, including speeding along tram tracks on Spencer Street with hazard lights flashing and a Victoria Police crime scene van in pursuit.
Official Response and Public Safety
Acting Inspector Lobb confirmed that the arrest was executed by the Critical Incident Response Team and Special Operations Group. Premier Jacinta Allan commended Victoria Police for their swift and effective response, stating, “Melbourne’s CBD is safe and in large part that is because of the work of Victoria Police in being on the streets, responding quickly to incidents like this.”
The incident underscores the importance of rapid police intervention in maintaining public safety in urban areas. As Melbourne residents process the day’s events, authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information or dashcam footage to come forward.
While the suspect’s motives remain unclear, the incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of urban security challenges and the critical role of law enforcement in safeguarding communities.
