Gunman on the loose in Melbourne

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MELBOURNE - Police cordoned off the cricket stadium and the Australian Open tennis arena in central Melbourne yesterday as they searched for a teenage gunman who escaped police during a high-speed chase after a series of armed robberies.

The suspect was identified as 19-year-old David Paul Rowntree, who has an extensive criminal record that includes arson, criminal damage and car theft, The Australian reported.

More than 50 officers wearing body armour were seen at the sporting precinct around the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Rod Laver Arena. It was closed to traffic and pedestrians for three hours as they hunted in foggy conditions.

A shotgun and balaclava were later found by a police dog unit near Rod Laver Arena, but Superintendent Rod Wilson warned that the suspect could get his hands on more firearms.

"I'd consider him to be extremely dangerous," he told reporters, adding that the gunman was still at large and the public should remain vigilant. MORE