A man who allegedly threatened a customer with a knife and tried to attack police during a spree of thefts at one of Sydney’s busiest shopping centres was already on bail for an allegedly disgusting earlier act.
Police allege Lochlan Ebejer, 24, stole more than $3,000 worth of goods from Westfield Parramatta stores in the city’s west on Saturday.
He is accused of stealing a bottle of cologne and a pair of earrings from Chemist Warehouse before entering the nearby Crystal Gifts and Homewares store allegedly armed with a knife.
Ebejer allegedly pointed the gun at the head of a 36-year-old buyer, who confronted him and called triple zero.
The owner of Crystal Gifts and Homewares told Nine News the alleged experience only lasted a few seconds, but it could have been much worse.
Ebejer allegedly fled the scene empty-handed, but was arrested nearby a short time later, where he is accused of allegedly attempting to attack a police officer before being subdued.
Police seized 69 allegedly stolen gift cards and a pair of earrings during the arrest.
Ebejer was charged with shoplifting, custody of property, use of a knife in a public place, causing a person to fear for their safety and intimidating a police officer in the performance of his duty.
He spent the night in custody before appearing in Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
Lochlan Ebejer (pictured) is accused of taking this selfie on Facebook before allegedly threatening a customer with a knife and attempting to attack police during an alleged shoplifting spree.
The alleged crime spree took place at Westfield Parramatta on Saturday morning.
Documents filed in court revealed Ebejer was already out on bail after allegedly urinating on produce at a supermarket in July.
Police allege Ebejer urinated on $300 worth of meat at a supermarket on George Street in central Sydney shortly before midnight on July 1.
The refrigerator containing the meat apparently took “hours” to decontaminate.
CCTV footage captured shortly after the incident allegedly shows Ebejer on the escalator tying up his trousers.
Police released the CCTV footage as part of a public appeal and arrested Ebejer two days later.
He was charged with contaminating property with intent to cause public alarm and trespassing and was subsequently released on bail with strict conditions.
Ebejer remained calm as his lawyer filed an application for bail on mental health grounds on Sunday.
But the judge rejected the request, telling the court that the community is well aware of enough recent incidents involving Westfield and that the particular alleged incident on Saturday was “reasonably alarming.”
Lochlan Ebejer was already on bail after allegedly urinating on produce at a central Sydney supermarket in July.
Ebejer He will remain behind bars until he is sentenced for the alleged urination incident later this month.
Westfield Parramatta increased security on Sunday with extra guards posted outside stores.
Scentre Group, which operates 42 Westfield shopping centres in Australia, launched a review of its security processes earlier this year after a man killed six people and injured more with a knife at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13.
The company has since increased the number of security personnel and implemented stab-proof vests for security officers.
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