‘Gunman’ found to be guard

REPORTS of a man seen with a gun at a Newcomb shopping centre on Thursday morning were a false alarm.

The man was actually an armed security guard on duty.

Police attended the Bellarine Highway shopping centre just after 8am after a staff member reported seeing an armed man in the men’s toilets.

Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen Pucar confirmed the allegations were false after an evacuation of the centre and a thorough search of the area.

“The male sighted had already left and we have since established he was a bona fide cash carrier,” Sergeant Pucar said.

A police spokeswoman said the staff member who made the report was not threatened and the centre was not open to the public at the time.

“Police reviewed the CCTV and identified a man matching the description,” she said.

“Investigators spoke to the man, who was one of two armed security guards carrying out their regular duties.

“The investigation into the matter is now complete.”