Man in custody after Melbourne's Chapel Street shut down in police standoff
A man is in custody after police shut down a major Melbourne shopping strip during a tense standoff.
Chapel Street in Windsor was locked down during the morning peak from 7am, with roads cordoned off, businesses closed and locals ordered indoors.
Heavily armed members of the Special Operations Group negotiated with the man, aged in his 20s, who was in a white van beside Windsor train station.
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Melbourne's busy Chapel Street in Windsor was briefly shut down during the morning rush. The Age
Inspector Andrew Stamper from Victoria Police said police received an "agitated call" from a man as well as multiple calls from concerned witnesses ahead of the three-hour standoff on Peel and Albert streets.
After negotiating with the man, police fired gas canisters into the van, smashing windows and causing loud bangs in the area.
The man was safely arrested and taken to a police car.
"Police negotiated with the male, he said he had a firearm but, at this stage, we haven't located a firearm," Stamper said.
"We won't take any chances with community safety."
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Multiple police cars blocked off the entire street and trains were unable to stop at the station. 9News
The incident occured near Windsor train station. The Age
Police arrested the man after a tense three-hour standoff. 9News
The man was taken to Prahran police station to be interviewed by police.
It's understood he received minor injuries during the arrest and was attended to by paramedics.
Stamper said the man told police he was armed with a firearm and began making threats of self-harm.
"Obviously at this time of morning on Chapel Street, it's one of the busiest areas in the metropolitan area and our concerns were with the male with a firearm," he said.
"We immediately looked to contain that scene, which we did very effectively, but part of that does involve some disruption to the public."
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People were told to avoid the area. 9News
Members of the Special Operations Group were called in. 9News
Witness Sarah, who was visiting the city from Queensland, said the incident had been terrifying for those nearby.
"It's been really mixed emotions, some people are a bit worried because they're late for work or school, some are sad, some are confused," she said.
"I know the police have got this, they're very trained, they've got all the information they need, we're all going to get through this."
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