A man was arrested after a bomb scare near two Melbourne schools on February 18, 2026. Police received a call at 2:45 PM regarding a man with a backpack making threats on Dandenong Road in St Kilda East. The bomb response unit assessed the backpack and found no suspicious devices. As a precaution, a nearby primary school, St Mary's Primary School, and a secondary school were placed into lockdown. The 45-year-old man was arrested on Westbury Street and is expected to be interviewed. Police do not believe the incident is religiously or ideologically motivated. A spokesperson for St Mary's Primary School confirmed that appropriate precautions were taken at 2:40 PM while Victoria Police detained a person near the school. Students continued their lessons and were dismissed at the usual time of 3:30 PM. The alleged offender did not enter the primary school grounds. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance and the potential impact of false alarms on school operations and community safety.
