Traffic on Mount Dandenong Road in Croydon was blocked and residents around Currong Grove urged to remain indoors. Pictures: Wayne Hawkins
Traffic on Mount Dandenong Road in Croydon was blocked and residents around Currong Grove urged to remain indoors. Pictures: Wayne Hawkins
CLICK HERE for full picture gallery of the dramatic manhunt
AN armed robber who pointed a gun at police after stealing cash from a Croydon gaming venue on Tuesday morning is still on the run.
Police are frantically searching for the man, who is believed to still be armed. Investigators also recovered a firearm, believed to be linked to the robbery, on Mt Dandenong Road about 3.15pm.
Victoria Police Superintendent Graeme Arthur said the man - whose accomplice was quickly captured after the pair fled the Dorset Gardens Hotel - had been jumping through the yards of local houses.
‘‘The offender was seen scaling a number of residential fences going from yard to yard,’’ he said.
One resident even tried to stop the man with a baseball bat.
Superintendent Arthur said there were only two options of where the man is: ‘‘Because we were so quick in getting there and cordoning off the area, he’s either long gone or still hiding somewhere.’’
‘‘At this stage all we can say is that we have one offender in custody, we’re looking for another one for a serious armed hold up, and he was prepared to point a weapon at police so it’s a real concern for us.
‘‘We’re extremely fortunate that no one was injured.’’
The critical incident response team, special operations group, dog squad, local police and the air wing are circling the area after reports two men stormed the venue just before 10am.
Police have also asked anyone who sees the man or someone matching his description not to approach him and to call Triple O immediately.