- In short: An intense stand-off on a Melbourne CBD tram ended with police using a taser to take a man into custody.
- What’s next? A man will front Melbourne’s Magistrate’s Court on Saturday night charged with several offences.
Police have arrested a man on a Melbourne tram after an intense stand-off in which he allegedly threatened another passenger with a knife.
The man, who police say is 57 years old, was filmed on the Route 48 tram at about 8:30am on Saturday intimidating the tram driver and other passengers.
Authorities allege the man entered a Collins Street business earlier on Saturday while armed with a knife and stole items before boarding the tram to flee.
Police were notified and instructed the driver to keep tram doors closed, as the man appeared to threaten a nearby woman in attempts to negotiate with police.
Mobile phone footage shows armed police officers storm the tram before subduing the man with a taser.
Police have charged a man with armed robbery, false imprisonment, assault and threats to kill.
The man, of no fixed place of address, will appear at Melbourne’s Magistrates’ Court on Saturday night.
A woman received minor injuries during the incident.
In a statement, Yarra Trams thanked police for preventing serious injuries.
“The safety of our employees and passengers is always our highest priority. We commend the actions of our driver for their management of this stressful situation, as well as thank Victoria Police for their quick response to detain the…
