The Australian Weather Forum

'Devious' Teengager Still On The Run

Police in Melbourne are on the hunt for a gunman believed to be hiding in the area around the MCG.

The gunman has been identified as David Rowntree.
A teenage gunman once described as devious and out of control is on the run after a high speed early-morning pursuit and a failed manhunt in foggy conditions.

Police say David Paul Rowntree, 19, allegedly stole two vehicles in Melbourne's east, committed an aggravated burglary and an armed robbery, fled police in a high-speed car chase, during which he hit at least five vehicles and then ran off through the inner city armed with a shotgun.

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

After searching an area around the MCG in Melbourne's sports precinct on Monday, where Rowntree was allegedly last sighted with a gun at about 9.40am (AEST), police conceded just before midday he might have eluded them.

Superintendent Rod Wilson said he had no idea where he might be headed, but said they would ask Rowntree's family for help.

"We'll be doing that," Supt Wilson told reporters.

"We'll be pursuing that as part of the investigation (as it) unfolds."

Rowntree is alleged to have broken into a house in Melbourne's eastern suburbs overnight, stealing car keys and then a car.

He then allegedly committed an aggravated burglary in Balwyn, followed by an armed robbery at a Bulleen service station, before stealing a second car.

A police dog unit sighted the man in Canterbury and pursued him in a car chase through Hawthorn and on to the Monash Freeway into the city, where he is alleged to have hit a police car and up to four other cars, before getting away.

His abandoned stolen car was found at about 8am on Batman Avenue outside Hisense Arena near the MCG, prompting police to lock down the precinct and search the area.

At about 9.40am, an elderly couple saw an armed man running across a footbridge between Hisense Arena and the MCG.

"They saw a man crossing the footbridge carrying a jacket and they could see the shotgun," Supt Wilson said.

Just before 1pm, police said they had found a firearm in the vicinity of the nearby Rod Laver Arena.

About 50 police searched for the man in foggy conditions.

Supt Wilson said Rowntree was not believed to have confronted anyone, but said he had a history of violence.

Rowntree was released from custody in March after being sentenced last November to three years in a Youth Justice Centre and ordered to pay $152,000 compensation for burning down a house he had burgled.

The Geelong County Court had heard Rowntree's string of offences included arson, criminal damage, handling stolen goods, car theft, burglary and theft.

Judge John Nixon also disqualified him from driving for two years.

Police on Monday said while they were broadening the search for Rowntree across Melbourne there would be more than the usual number of police patrolling the MCG area.

Supt Wilson warned people in the area not to approach Rowntree and to contact police if there were any sightings.

"Preferably, if you don't have to go out, stay indoors ... and if you've got any suspicious behaviour to report there is going to be a lot of police patrolling, so we're going to have the capability of getting police to any suspect sighting very quickly."

About 100 staff and venue users at the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust - which manages venues including the Rod Laver Arena, the Hisense Arena, Westpac Centre, AAMI Park and Olympic Park - were sent indoors after a request from police at about 9.30am.

Melbourne Cricket Club spokesman Shane Brown said all club staff were also instructed to stay indoors at the MCG and stay away from windows.

Rowntree was released from custody in March after being sentenced last November to three years in a Youth Justice Centre and ordered to pay $152,000 compensation for burning down a house he had burgled.

mad*moo73 wrote:Going by hi slast sentence he may get 6 months for this!