Man charged following alleged CBD threat

Published:
Friday 22 May 2026 at 11:32 am

Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man in relation to a threat made via telephone yesterday, 21 May.

It’s alleged the man made a phone call to a media outlet in Sydney making a threat of an incident taking place on Bourke Street.

That outlet immediately contacted Crime Stoppers and as a result Victoria Police commenced an investigation.

Uniform police, the Public Order Response Team and the Critical Incident Response Team also increased patrols of the CBD.

A 31-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested at a fast-food restaurant on Swanston Street just after 7.30pm by the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) without further incident.

It is alleged the man was in possession of a knife at the time of his arrest.

He has subsequently been charged with:

  • Using a carriage service to menace (x2)
  • Making threats to kill (x2)
  • Making threats to inflict serious injury (x2)
  • Carrying a controlled weapon without lawful excuse

He will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Media Unit

148643

Updated