Suspected explosive devices and weapons have been found at a Geelong home and a man has been charged over an alleged bomb hoax that shut down parts of Melbourne’s CBD.
The 33-year-old man from Parkville was arrested on Collins St shortly after midday on Wednesday after parts of the busy precinct were placed into lockdown.
People were told to stay inside buildings as bomb squad officers searched the man’s car and allegedly found a gun and drugs.
The area was cleared by police and reopened shortly after.
Police said the matter was not terror-related and there was no immediate threat to community safety.
Detectives and officers from the Bomb Response unit raided a North Shore home in Geelong on Wednesday afternoon.
“Investigators located and seized a number of items including suspected explosive devices,” a police spokeswoman said.
Detectives have charged the man with a series of offences including making and possessing explosive substances and devices, bomb hoax, drug trafficking, possessing weapons and proceeds of crime, and car theft.
He was remanded in custody and is due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday.
