A man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a knife from a supermarket and waving it at customers in a busy Melbourne shopping center just before lunchtime.
The incident happened at around 12.50pm at Watergardens Shopping Centre, in Melbourne’s north-west.
A witness said a ‘hero hairdresser’ tackled the man with a knife and held him back.
A man with a knife has caused panic at a busy shopping center in Melbourne’s northwest
Witnesses at the scene said the man with the knife was tackled and held by a heroic barber
In a text exchange shared on social media, Doug McArthur said his wife witnessed the hairdresser’s heroic act.
“Thank God they stopped him,” Mr. McArthur said.
Another witness said: ‘There was a lot of shouting, it seemed like chairs were being thrown and other customers said there was a knife involved.
‘Woolworths immediately went into lockdown, as did the surrounding shops. After about ten minutes, a screen was placed around the spot where the incident took place.”
Another man said his friend witnessed the scenes unfold.
“People started shouting that someone had a knife, which caused panic and people ran into the shops begging them to close the doors, and others ran towards the exits to the car park,” he said.
“He said what struck him was that he saw mothers with strollers screaming/crying and parents grabbing small children and running to the exit.
“People fleeing into the parking lot tapped on the windows of their cars and told them not to go in, just to leave.”
It was reported that the man with the knife fled the mall and headed to Melton Highway.
The arrested man, 30, is assisting police with their investigation.
Police said no one was injured during the incident.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
