Hunt for gunman causes city lockdown

Police believe the shotgun-wielding man to be David Paul Rowntree. Photo / Supplied

Police fear a gunman on the loose in Melbourne's MCG and Olympic Park area has eluded the scores of officers hunting him.

After an extensive four-hour search of the area police boosted their numbers and broadened their hunt across Melbourne. They scaled down the search of the sports precinct, but were still looking for evidence.

Police said the shotgun-wielding man - who they believe to be David Paul Rowntree, 19 - stole a vehicle in Melbourne's eastern suburbs early yesterday before committing two armed hold-ups - in Balwyn and at a Bulleen service station.

After the Bulleen robbery he stole a second vehicle and was seen and chased by police about 5am.

Superintendent Rod Wilson said police lost sight of the man near the MCG but found the abandoned vehicle near Rod Laver Arena just before 10am. They later found a firearm nearby.

In foggy conditions, they quickly cordoned off the area and conducted a search involving 50 officers, including the elite Special Operations Group, dog squad and air wing.

Two witnesses saw the offender armed with a shotgun run past them on the footbridge crossing the railway tracks near the MCG about 11.40am, but with no sighting since, police fear he may have escaped them.

Wilson said the man had not confronted anyone but he was known to police and had a history of violence.

Shots were fired at one of the hold-ups but none was reported in the search area. Wilson said the entire area had been put into lockdown.

The sports precinct area was reopened to rail and road traffic, but police continued their search and advised people to take care.

The Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, which manages venues including the Rod Laver Arena, the Hisense Arena, Westpac Centre, AAMI Park and Olympic Park, had been secured.

Spokeswoman Jo Juler said about 100 staff and venue users - including tennis players on outside practice courts and horticultural workers - were sent indoors.

Melbourne Cricket Club spokesman Shane Brown said all club staff had had to remain indoors.

Trains into Melbourne's central business district resumed after the lockdown caused chaos on the network for more than two hours.

Ten lines stopped trains at major stations including Richmond, South Yarra and Caulfield from about 12.15pm after a request from police.

Rowntree, from Colac, has a string of offences and was described last year by a judge as a devious and out-of-control serial offender.

The Geelong County Court was told his 69 offences included arson, criminal damage, handling stolen goods, burglary and theft.

- AAP