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Police release CCTV footage in hunt for second Westmeadows Tavern siege gunman

New CCTV footage of two armed men has been released in the hunt for a second gunman responsible for a five-hour siege at a pub.

Westmeadows armed robbery

New CCTV has been released in the hunt for a second gunman responsible for a five-hour siege that ended when heavily armed police dramatically stormed a Melbourne pub and found it empty.

The new footage, captured during a terrifying armed robbery on March 2 last year, shows two balaclava-clad men running through the Westmeadows Tavern in Melbourne’s north.

It also shows the pair running from the pub through the rear carpark.

Armed crime squad Inspector Dean Thomas said the men forced entry to the pub just after 3am and then waited for an employee to arrive.

He said a woman was allegedly confronted by the two men with firearms inside the Ardlie Street tavern just after 5am.

“They made demands of the employee and as a result she was held against her will for a period of time,” Inspector Thomas said.

Shortly after police arrived, the 45-year-old woman was able to escape and ran from the venue to tell officers she had been held inside.

Police said she was not physically harmed during the incident.

Inspector Thomas said the intruders wore dark-coloured clothing, gloves and were in possession of sawn-off rifles.

Over five hours heavily armed police, including the special operations group, surrounded the pub under the belief the armed intruders were still holed up inside.

One of the men inside the Westmeadows Tavern on March 2, 2020. Picture: Victoria Police
One of the men inside the Westmeadows Tavern on March 2, 2020. Picture: Victoria Police
A second man runs through the Westmeadows Tavern. Picture: Victoria Police
A second man runs through the Westmeadows Tavern. Picture: Victoria Police

But when police finally entered the tavern about 10am they found the building empty and later said the gunmen had fled not long after entering the pub at 5am.

Inspector Thomas said the alleged offences were “incredibly serious and terrifying” for the woman who was just going about her work.

“It’s extremely violent and psychologically it has great impacts,” he said.

“This will have long-lasting effects on both her and the wider community.

“Any use of firearms in this way is absolutely concerning for police.

Five-hour Melbourne siege ends with an unusual twist

“We believe that there are people in the community that know exactly who was involved in this and we are urging those people to come forward and speak to us.

“We’re confident that we will be able to track down the right people to hold the offenders to account and to keep the community safe.”

Detectives on Wednesday have revealed for the first time a digitally generated face image of a man seen fleeing the pub on March 2, 2020.

A digital face image of a man police would like to speak to over the incident.
A digital face image of a man police would like to speak to over the incident.

Police have also released an image of a dark-coloured Hyundai iX35 SUV believed to be of “striking similarity” to the one used to drop off the gunmen near the tavern.

Detectives arrested a 58-year-old Greenvale man in Bonds Lane over the incident on April 2, 2020.

Heavily armed police enter the Westmeadows Tavern on March 2, 2020. Picture: David Crosling
Heavily armed police enter the Westmeadows Tavern on March 2, 2020. Picture: David Crosling
Police outside the Westmeadows Tavern on March 2 last year. Picture: David Crosling
Police outside the Westmeadows Tavern on March 2 last year. Picture: David Crosling

He was charged with armed robbery, false imprisonment and aggravated burglary and remanded to face Melbourne Magistrates Court.

Inspector Thomas said the other man, who appeared to “be the larger of the two”, was still on the run.

He wouldn’t say if police had found the firearms or if anything was stolen due to investigative reasons.

Police have urged anyone who recognises the man or the vehicle, or has information, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

jack.paynter@news.com.au

Originally published as Police release CCTV footage in hunt for second Westmeadows Tavern siege gunman

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/breaking-news/police-release-cctv-footage-in-hunt-for-second-westmeadows-tavern-siege-gunman/news-story/448a082c90646ec76c1e6794a4f47b6b