Tensions erupt at infamous Northland Shopping Centre as fired-up locals come to blows with security guards
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A pair of fed-up shoppers have clashed with a group of security guards at a notorious Melbourne shopping centre in yet another incident in a series of unfortunate events.
The pair clashed with security at Northland Shopping Centre, in Melbourne’s north-western suburbs, just hours after the mall was evacuated due to a fire.
Tensions were high following a tumultuous 24 hours for the shopping centre after an allegedly stolen car crashed through its entrance just after 4pm on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old driver is believed to have been trying to evade police at the time.
The shoppers were captured in a tense discussion with a trio of security guards before they were told ‘you need to move on’.
The man stopped in his tracks and gave him a small push as his female companion aimed a swift kick at another guard.
The pair were then told to ‘calm down’ as they continued to protest before the woman flipped the bird at another shopper who tried to intervene.
‘Police were called to an alleged incident between a man, a woman and security at a shopping complex in Preston about 12pm this afternoon,’ Victoria Police said.
The couple clashes with security guards at Northland Shopping Centre as shoppers watch on
The woman was seen flipping the bird to other shoppers after she was asked to move on
The clash comes after a man allegedly drove a stolen Toyota Landcruiser through the centre
Rival gangs armed with machetes fought at Northland Shopping Centre in May
‘The man and woman from Preston were directed to leave by security. It is believed there was an altercation between the parties.
‘The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The tussle comes just hours after an allegedly stolen Toyota Landcruiser smashed through an entrance to the crowded shopping and then kept driving.
No one was struck by the SUV and there were no reported injuries.
Police found the car abandoned on Beavers Road in Northcote about an hour later.
A 27-year-old man was arrested at a home at 8.30am on Thursday.
He was charged with two counts of aggravated and intentional exposure of police officer to risk by driving, reckless conduct endangering life, theft of motor vehicle, hand stolen goods, drive whilst disqualified and criminal damage
He will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Myer at Northland Shopping Centre had to be closed after a fire broke out on Thursday morning
Fire Rescue Victoria was on hand to put out the small blaze
Police will allege the Landcruiser was stolen from Ivanhoe East on June 2, using an ‘electronic key reprogramming tool’ seized during Thursday’s arrest.
And in more bad luck for the embattled centre, shoppers had to be evacuated after smoke was seen coming from the Myer store.
A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia an automatic alarm went off at 10.34am on Thursday.
The small blaze was quickly put out but not before smoke engulfed the shopping centre as shoppers were evacuated.
The fire, brawl and rampaging driver were the latest in a string of incidents at the centre, which has been no stranger to lockdowns.
Shoppers were forced to barricade themselves inside stores in May following an alleged fight between teens armed with machetes.
Some locals have clearly had enough of the notorious shopping centre, vowing to never shop there again.
‘Place is cooked, just bulldoze it,’ one person wrote on social media.
‘Is that shopping centre cursed or something?’ another said.
‘Machetes and a car being driven through wasn’t enough. Someone had to go set it on fire,’ a third said.
A spokesperson for Northland Shopping Centre told Daily Mail Australia: ‘The recent spate of crimes at Northland have been distressing for our team, our retailers, our shoppers and our community.’
‘It’s very important to note that the incidents reflect broader societal issues around the proliferation of knife related crime and car theft. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and community is our top priority.’
