'Umbrella gunman' sparks security scare
A novelty umbrella which bares a striking resemblance to a rifle sparked a security scare at Chadstone Shopping Centre this afternoon.
The Age reports that a police helicopter and about 10 police officers swooped on the shopping centre after a security guard reported a gunman was on the loose.
It soon transpired the suspected armed gunman was in fact carrying a novelty umbrella brought from clothing store Dangerfield (one similar to the umbrella pictured).
Sergeant Tony Marasco from Malvern police station told The Age the umbrella designed to look like a rifle was realistic enough for a security guard to call police and report a man had a firearm strapped to his back.
Sergeant Marasco said police had spoken to the Dangerfield shop at Chadstone and the store had confirmed it was selling the merchandise in plastic and woodgrain.
The store’s head office refused to comment when contacted by reporters. A shop assistant at the Chadstone store said the novelty umbrellas were no longer on sale.
It is illegal to possess an imitation fire arm or replica gun.
