A man has been charged over the discovery of a suspicious package pulled from a parked car at the Docklands today.



Police arrested a 31-year-old man about 9.45am over a series of minor thefts and police searching his vehicle raised the alarm. Police later confirmed the material discovered was explosive.



Harbour Esplanade was closed between Bourke and Collins streets while bomb disposal experts combed the car, which was parked by the Docklands Hub Community Centre.



The package was removed from the car after the vehicle was swept by a bomb-disposal robot.



A police sniffer dog and a specialist in a protective suit also checked the vehicle.



A 150-metre security perimeter was established, and shops within the perimeter were closed with traders left to sit out the lunchtime rush. Residents in the area were allowed to enter via back entrances.



Police tonight said Samuel Jackson, of the Docklands, had fronted an out-of-sessions hearing and was scheduled to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court tomorrow, charged with conduct endangering life, possession of explosives and several other charges.

- with Dan Oakes