A local butcher has been hailed as a hero after defeating a man who allegedly burst into a shopping center threatening to stab shoppers with scissors.
Darren Burnett was at the center of Luke Linsley Thorpe’s citizen’s arrest at the Kawana shopping center in southeast Queensland on Friday.
He was working his normal shift at Master Meats when the man allegedly suddenly threatened to kill people.
Burnett left his job and walked with another man in the direction of the allegedly armed man.
Tony Harvey, owner and manager of the butcher shop, said his employee played a major role in the citizen’s arrest.
The man was restrained by members of the public and arrested by police a short time later.
“There was a lot of noise, then people started running and someone shouted that he had a knife,” Mr Harvey told the mail.
But despite his efforts, Burnett insisted he was no hero.
“I didn’t even think if they were going to stab me, I just jumped,” he said.
He said he just jumped up and tried to do something after seeing security leading customers and staff to safety.
Burnett later recalled seeing a terrified woman talking on the phone to police, white and shaking violently, whom he calmed down.
He then grabbed a Woolworths shopping trolley and headed armed to the outside car park where he saw a struggle taking place.
Darren Burnett was instrumental in the citizen’s arrest of Luke Linsley Thorpe at the Kawana shopping center in southeast Queensland on Friday.
“Two guys were grabbing him and trying to hold him down…so I ran across the parking lot and knocked him to the ground.” Mr. Burnett said.
Then he remembered seeing the police arrive with a truckload of rice.
Police alleged he stole a pair of scissors from the store and threatened to kill a shopper and everyone in the mall.
A spokesperson for Kawana Shopping Center Mirvac said the safety of customers, retailers and staff is of paramount importance and they continue to work closely with local police and retailers following the incident.
They said the Center Management Team conducts intensive emergency management training and they will continue to review and update procedures as necessary.
Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia that the 41-year-old Caboolture man was charged with one count each of being armed to cause fear, robbery, willful damage, trespass and public nuisance.
“The man was restrained by members of the public and arrested by police a short time later,” a police spokesperson said in a statement.
“No one was physically injured during the incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community.”
He is expected to appear at Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on June 7.
