A teenage boy allegedly threatened patrons with a machete at a busy Melbourne shopping centre, only hours after a separate alleged knife incident sent the mall into lockdown.
Police allege the 15-year-old boy was yelling threats while armed inside the Watergardens Shopping Centre in Melbourne’s west about 7.30pm on Friday.
The teen, who was detained by security, has since been arrested and charged with making threats to kill and being armed with criminal intent.
He was granted bail to appear before the Children’s Court at a later date.
The terrifying alleged incident comes only hours after a man allegedly armed with a knife sent the same shopping centre into lockdown.
Police allege the 30-year-old man threatened a woman and a man employee inside a travel agency with the knife about 12.50pm.
The man was confronted by shoppers who were caught on video pinning the alleged attack to the ground before police arrived.
He has since been charged with two counts of unlawful assault, theft, making threats to kill, and being armed with intent.
In a statement, Watergardens Centre Manager Trish Gardiner said security “swiftly responded” to both incidents.
“We are incredibly grateful that no one was seriously injured and charges have now been laid by Victoria Police,” she said.
“The safety and wellbeing of our entire Watergardens community is always our overriding concern and something we take very seriously.
“Our centre is patrolled by our dedicated security team 24 hours a day, seven days a week, supported by an extensive CCTV network.”
Ms Gardiner said Watergardens had deployed additional security personnel in response to the Bondi Junction Westfield massacre last month.
Those security resources were increased again on Friday following the first alleged incident and remained in place on Saturday.
In a statement, Victoria Police said they would be also undertaking “proactive patrols” at the centre on Saturday and Sunday.
