Bomb squad descends on a Bunnings in Brisbane and an office in North Geelong after ‘suspicious’ items were found
Suspicious packages have been discovered at a Bunnings store in Brisbane and an office in North Geelong sparking urgent evacuations.
Victoria Police bomb squad officers were called to the Mackey Street office, southwest of Melbourne, after two female protesters left a suspicious package in the reception area.
Police claim the two women were chanting and recording when they dropped the package off at about 9.40am on Friday.
Witnesses told Geelong TV the women were wearing gloves and were carrying a plastic-covered envelope.
A spokesperson for Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia the package was found ‘not to contain any dangerous materials and the scene was subsequently declared safe’.
‘Investigations into the incident remain ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage.’
The protesters were removed by staff before a Fire Rescue Victoria HAZMAT Team and Victoria Police arrived at the scene.
A specialised bomb squad robot remained at the scene at 2.15pm, local time.
A bomb squad robot was deployed at the scene of the incident where Victorian Police continue to analyse the contents of the ‘suspicious package’
A 100metre exclusion zone was established around a Brisbane Bunning’s store following reports of a ‘suspicious item’ having been found at the scene
The offenders are believed to have left the scene prior to the arrival of police.
According to the Geelong Advertiser, the office belongs to the AMDA Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that arranges defence and aerospace industry expositions and airshows.
Meanwhile, specialist police officers rushed to a Bunnings on Sandgate Road in Virginia at about 12.30pm on Friday after a suspicious package was found.
Officers belonging to both Queensland Police and the AFP attended the scene.
A spokesperson for Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia a 100metre exclusion zone was established around the store ‘as a precaution’.
‘Police are currently responding after a reported suspicious item was located at a Virginia business this afternoon.
‘Officers were called to the Sandgate Rd business just after 12:30pm after the item was located.
‘Specialist officers are en route to assess the item.’
‘There is no further information at this time.’
More to come.
