BY SHONA LOUIS

Police are today continuing the hunt for an unknown offender after an occupied patrol car was struck with a ball bearing in St Kilda, shattering its rear windscreen.

Officers initially thought they were being pelted with rocks, when ball bearings were shot from above at their marked vehicle on Alma Road around 2pm yesterday.

Two officers were inside the vehicle, but were unharmed when the glass shattered.

Another vehicle was also damaged during the incident, with a number of ball bearings found in the area.

The police who were targeted had been responding to reports of a man acting strangely and wielding what appeared to be a stick with knives taped to the ends.

It's not yet known if the two incidents are linked.

Acting Senior Sergeant Matt Wilmot said police were yet to ascertain what was used to discharge the projectiles and from where they were being fired.

“A ball bearing that has been discharged with enough force to damage windows of vehicles, if that were to hit a person, that would certainly cause a serious injury,” Act. Snr Sgt Matt Wilmot said.

Specialist officers from both The Critical Incident Response Team and Special Operation Group supported uniformed police in clearing a number of apartments and securing the area.

The intersection of St Kilda and Alma Roads remained an active crime scene for several hours as police conducted door knocks of surrounding apartment buildings, in hope of locating the perpetrator.