Man charged after St Kilda East bomb hoax

Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man after allegedly making threats outside a St Kilda East school yesterday afternoon.

Officers were called to the Dandenong Road address following reports of a man with a backpack allegedly making the threats about 2.45pm.

A 45-year-old man was arrested on Westbury Street.

The Bomb Response Unit attended and assessed the backpack, with no suspicious devices located.

The nearby school was momentarily placed into lockdown as a precaution.

The man was charged with bomb hoax, trespass, unlawful assault, possess drugs and possess a controlled weapon.

He was bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 16 September.

Investigators do not believe the incident was religiously or ideologically motivated.

John McLaughlan and Senior Constable Paul Hogan

Media Unit

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