Man who allegedly opened fire on police after being kicked out of a pub goes on the run after neighbours called him a TAXI when he politely said he needed help: ‘He actually sounded quite nice’
- Victoria police urged tattooed alleged gunman Brendan Searle to turn himself in
- A manhunt is underway after shots were fired at police officers in Melbourne
- Chaos unfolded at 2.10am on Saturday after reports a man was armed with gun
- When police arrived at the scene he allegedly opened fire, no-one was injured
- Neighbour said a man knocked on his door and asked him to order him a taxi
- Resident agreed as tattooed man in his backyard ‘actually sounded quite nice’
A man who allegedly opened fire at police after being kicked out of a pub reportedly escaped capture after politely knocking on a neighbour’s door and asking them to order him a taxi.
Brendan Searle allegedly shot at police just after 2am at Boronia in Melbourne‘s east on Saturday after officers were called to reports a man was walking near Boronia Road armed with a firearm.
Searle is accused of having an altercation with a security guard at the nearby Boronia Hotel about 1am before being removed from the the pub.
Police have urged alleged gunman Brendan Searle (pictured) to turn himself in. He reportedly escaped capture after he politely knocked on an unsuspecting neighbour’s door and asked them to order him a taxi
Searle, who has a large tattoo on his forehead, is accused of then attempting a carjacking in a neighbouring car park.
At 2.10am, he allegedly opened fire at police and fled the scene.
A Boronia resident claimed a dishevelled-looking man knocked on his door just before 7am and asked him to order him a taxi.
‘I heard a knock and went to go answer the front door,’ the resident Adrian George told The Sunday Herald Sun.
Having found no-one at the door, he said he went into his backyard to find a tall man with tattoos in his garden.
‘He said he was in trouble, needed help and wanted me to call a taxi… he actually sounded quite nice,’ he said.
‘I called him a taxi and next minute I get a call from the driver saying no one is waiting out the front.’
The man said he later discovered police officers further up the road and realised what had happened.
Brendan Searle was allegedly seen Saturday on CCTV footage. He reportedly politely knocked on a neighbour’s door and asked them to order him a taxi
Victoria Police have meanwhile been going from house to house in Melbourne’s east searching for the alleged gunman.
Surrounding streets were initially cordoned off.
‘Searle is described as being approximately 183cm tall with a muscular build and shaved head,’ a police statement issued on Saturday evening said.
The statement said he had tattoos across the right side of his forehead, as well as many others covering his face, neck, arms and legs.
A team of police gathered near Boronia Road, Boronia on Saturday morning. Streets have been cordoned off
Detectives released photos – including CCTV stills of Searle taken on Saturday and urged him to ‘come forward’ and speak to police.
He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, light-coloured shorts, a dark baseball cap and white sneakers.
‘As officers were driving to the scene they encountered Searle on Boronia Road who produced a firearm and discharged it,’ the police statement said.
It is understood residents in Tulip Crescent and Stonehaven Avenue were told to stay indoors until further notice.
No one was injured during the alleged shooting.
When officers arrived at the scene they were approached by a man who allegedly opened fire. The man then fled, he was last seen in Tulip Crescent
Detectives were spotted on Saturday leaving a property on Stonehaven Avenue, taking away bags of evidence.
‘There is no ongoing threat to the community and the investigation continues,’ a Victoria Police statement said.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Advertisement