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ABC News
ABC News
National

Man charged with death threats after Crown Casino scare

A 55-year-old Malaysian man has been charged after his "erratic" behaviour prompted the evacuation of part of Melbourne's Crown Casino.

The man has been charged with making threats to kill, making false reports to police and making false statements, a police spokeswoman said.

The first floor of the casino was evacuated yesterday afternoon after police said the man, who had a backpack, was acting suspiciously.

The man has been remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court later today.

Speaking outside Crown Casino on Wednesday, Acting Commander David Clayton from Victoria Police said officers were called to the venue about 3:30pm.

"They were called there in relation to a male with a backpack acting erratically," he said.

"Police responded, the area was evacuated and a short time later a 55-year-old male was taken into custody."

He said there were no injuries to the public, police or the man arrested.

Patrons told the ABC the incident made them nervous.

"[I was] seeing people, everybody, running from the inside to the outside — I don't know what's happening," one woman said.

"I was just scared, was telling [staff], 'Please, I'm nervous, I want to go out'."

In a statement, Crown said: "An isolated incident occurred at Crown Melbourne involving one patron.

"The issue was resolved peacefully with the assistance of Victorian Police.

"As this is now a police matter. Crown will not be making any further comments."

Acting Commander Clayton said he could not give specific details about the man's behaviour as the investigation was ongoing.

There was nothing in the backpack and the man complied with police, he said.

People evacuated from the venue could be seen standing on the street, with police on the scene.

Parts of the first floor were evacuated, but the area has now been deemed safe.

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