Fake explosive device sparks bomb scare following Racecourse Road arrest

A man has been arrested after he allegedly tried to steal a high-end car at a car wash at North Melbourne.

A fake explosive device was then found in his bag, sparking a bomb scare on Racecourse Road.

Businesses were evacuated and Racecourse Road was blocked to traffic and trams between Flemington Road and Boundary Road.

Those roads have since been re-opened.

The 25-year-old man is now in custody.

Pic: Twitter / @VicTraffic