Police investigate a bomb hoax at Myer. Picture: Richard Serong Source: News Corp Australia
UPDATE: A WOMAN charged over yesterday’s Bourke St bomb hoax has been banned
from the Melbourne CBD.
Amanda Baker-Johnson, 39, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged over the hoax that saw thousands of shoppers evacuated from Bourke St Mall.
Myer and David Jones were closed to customers for more than an hour during the afternoon while police performed a safety check in and around the mall precinct.
Ms Baker-Johnson is charged with causing a bomb hoax, making a false report to police and using a telecommunication device to menace.
Firefighters at the scene in Bourke St Mall. Picture: Richard Serong Source: News Corp Australia
The alleged serial offender has also been charged with 47 similar bomb hoax offences over a string of other incidents.
Police did not oppose her release on bail today providing she comply with strict bail conditions, including a ban from the CBD.
The court heard Ms Baker-Johnson, who suffers from significant psychiatric issues, would also complete a mental health assessment.
She will return to court on September 18.
Police blocked off the mall between Swanston St and Elizabeth St and were ordering people to back away.
Shoppers are held back from the strip. Picture: Richard Serong Source: News Corp Australia
Bourke St Mall was evacuated for about 90 minutes. Picture:Ian Currie Source: News Corp Australia
Two Myer staff told the Herald Sun they had been evacuated about 1.10pm yesterday because of a bomb scare.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said officers were performing “safety checks” on Myer’s Bourke St store.
Uniform police removed shoppers and workers from shops along the busy strip while they investigated the threat.
David Jones worker Tash said Myer was evacuated first, followed by DJs about 1.45pm.
“We were inundated with people,” she said.
She said workers were not told why the evacuation was happening but it was rumoured to be due to a “suspicious car on the tram tracks” outside Myer.
Shopper Arthur Mendoza said police had blocked off Little Bourke St, between Elizabeth St and Swanston St, as well.
A police officer at the scene. Picture: Richard Serong Source: News Corp Australia
Empty Bourke St Mall during the investigation. Picture: Ian Currie Source: News Corp Australia
He said he was inside Emporium shopping centre, trying to get through to Myer, but was unable to.
Jane, who did not wish to give her surname, said she was shopping inside Zara when police came in and ordered everyone to leave just after 1.30pm.
“They just sounded the alarm and said attention everyone, everyone to evacuate,” she said.
“I was in the change room, I left my singlet in there.”
She said it was “very busy” inside.
The MFB also arrived at the scene. Police removed cordons by 2.50pm.
The incident comes two days after the Myer at Chadstone was the subject of a threat, leading to police action.
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