Australian casino operator Crown Resorts’ flagship Melbourne property was the scene of an aborted terror attack this week, or at least what initially appeared to be one.

On Tuesday, police rushed to Crown Melbourne after receiving calls about a backpack-wearing man who was said to be acting ‘erratically.’ Local media reported that the “agitated, aggressive” man claimed to be a terrorist and that casino security noticed “green plasticine material” in his backpack, sparking fears of an explosive device.

The situation was deemed serious enough that Crown staff received text messages ordering them to clear the building, leading to a mild panic as customers fled towards the exits and out onto the street.

Victorian police, the bomb squad and other emergency responders descended on the casino, taking the man into custody without incident, although he did threaten to come back and kill the casino manager who initially ordered his expulsion.