Police have appealed for public assistance in locating a gunman who is currently on the loose in the Melbourne suburb of Boronia.
The man, Brendan Searle, allegedly opened fire on police officers in the early hours of Saturday morning after getting into an alleged altercation with security at the Boronia Hotel.
Police say he was ejected from the hotel around 1am before allegedly attempting a carjacking. The alleged victim contacted police, saying the man was in possession of a gun.
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Police officers sighted Mr Searle and gave chase before taking cover when he allegedly produced a gun and fired at them. Since then, officers have been conducting a search for the man.
At around 7am this morning, the gunman knocked on the door of a home and asked the man inside to call a taxi.
The occupant, a father-of-five, told nearby patrolling police the gunman then fled.
https://twitter.com/NearyTy_9/status/1456806040100487170?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwA vacant home was later surrounded by officers for four hours before they smashed their way in.
It was found to be empty.
"We hold concerns for the safety of the public that if he doesn't end up in the custody of the police, we don't know how that will end," Detective Inspector Martin Allison said.
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Mr Searle is described as a caucasian male of muscular build with fair complexion who is 183cm tall.
He has "distinctive" tattoos around his head and neck area and is balding.
https://twitter.com/NearyTy_9/status/1456805324204040195Police have released images of Mr Searle in the hope someone can provide information regarding his current whereabouts.
Police believe Mr Searle remains in the Boronia area, having fled by jumping over fences and hiding in yards. While the search for him has been limited to the immediate area, it will be expanded further in the coming hours.
Members of the public with any information about Mr Searle's whereabouts have been urged to contact police, but to not approach if they encounter him.
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