A man was arrested after allegedly stealing a knife from a grocery store and waving it at customers in a busy Melbourne shopping center just before lunchtime today.
The incident took place at the Watergardens shopping center in Melbourne’s northwest at around 12.50pm.
A witness said a “hero” barber tackled and held the man down with a knife.
A man with a knife has caused panic in a busy shopping center in Melbourne’s northwest.
Witnesses at the scene said the man with the knife was approached by a heroic barber and subjected
In a text exchange shared on social media, Doug McArthur said his wife saw the barber’s heroic act.
“Thank God they restrained him,” McArthur said.
Another witness said: “There was a lot of shouting, it seemed like chairs were being thrown and other shoppers were saying there was a knife involved.”
‘Woolworth’s closed immediately as did the surrounding shops. After approximately 10 minutes, a screen was placed around the location where the incident occurred.
Another man said his friend witnessed the scenes unfold.
“People started shouting that someone had a knife, which caused panic and people ran into shops begging them to close the doors and others ran towards the car park exits,” he said.
‘He said what caught his attention was seeing mothers with prams screaming/crying and fathers grabbing small children and running for the exits.
“The people who fled to the parking lot were banging on their car windows and telling them not to come in, to just leave.”
The man with the knife reportedly fled the shopping center and headed toward Melton Highway.
The detainee, 30, is helping the police with their investigations.
Police said no one was injured during the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.