A driver has sped down a Melbourne CBD footpath, smashed into two banks and then stopped to let a pedestrian cross the road before crashing into the foyer of Crown Casino.
Burwood East man allegedly struck three buildings on Swanston St, including the ANZ and Commonwealth banks, while driving on the footpath after 11pm on Tuesday.
Police have now charged the 34-year-old with five counts of criminal damage, endangering life, conduct endangering serious injury, dangerous driving, possessing a controlled weapon, failing to answer bail and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
He was meant to face the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday but his appearance was moved to July 3.
Victoria Police Inspector Stephen Cooper said Xu also drove the white Honda SUV down Lonsdale St and Elizabeth St before driving onto Kings Way.
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"The vehicle has gone into the underground car park at the casino. Inside Crown Casino, the vehicle has driven through some glass doors and parked at the base of the escalator," he told reporters on Wednesday.
Xu stopped earlier for a pedestrian to let them to cross before continuing, police said.
"(The car) did stop on three occasions to cause damage to three buildings," Insp Cooper said.
"But we are assured because of the fact that the vehicle did stop that the intent was not to cause harm to any of the pedestrians."
Bollards have recently been installed in the CBD, five months after the fatal Bourke Street rampage in which a car mowed through crowds in the mall, killing six people.
"There will be proper vehicle intrusion barriers appear over the coming months," Insp Cooper said.
"(But they) definitely can't go everywhere".
