Luke Linsley Thorpe faces court after Kawana Shopping Centre citizen arrest
A Queensland man has faced court after allegedly running around a shopping centre armed with scissors threatening shoppers and staff in a dramatic incident. Name, details VIDEO
Sunshine Coast
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A Queensland man has faced court after allegedly running around a shopping centre armed with scissors threatening shoppers and staff in what police allege is a “mental health incident”.
Luke Linsley Thorpe, 41, of Caboolture, was arrested on Friday, May 31, after he allegedly armed himself with scissors and made threats at a major Sunshine Coast shopping centre, about 11.40am.
According to the owner of Master Meats, the butcher at the Kawana Shopping Centre, it was one of his butchers who ran to restrain Thorpe until police arrived.
Tony Harvey said his butcher Darren Burnett was instrumental in the citizen arrest.
“There was a lot of noise then people started running and someone yelled out he’s got a knife,” Mr Harvey said.
“Then there was a big rush of people headed up towards JB Hi-Fi.
“We put our knives away and ceased work. I made sure everyone was calm and secure.
“All of the other shops shut their windows and there were cleaners directing people out of the area.”
Then Mr Burnett joined another man of size, wearing high-vis, and headed off in the direction of an allegedly armed Mr Thorpe.
“When Darren came back he said that he had restrained him (Thorpe) in the car park until police arrived,” Mr Harvey said.
“After what happened down in Bondi it was pretty scary and you just never know.
“My main job was securing my staff members, looking after their safety, and remaining calm.”
Mr Harvey said the police response time would have been about 10 to 15 minutes.
Footage of the arrest shows two police officers and Mr Burnett (the butcher) pinning Mr Thorpe to the ground outside the shopping centre.
Police will allege it was a “mental health incident”.
Mr Thorpe was charged with one count each of going armed so as to cause fear, stealing, wilful damage, trespass and commit public nuisance.
He faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Saturday, June 1.
His matters were adjourned to Maroochydore Magistrates Court on June 4.
No Bail application was made on Saturday and he was remanded in custody.
Kawana Shopping Centre management have declined to comment.
Previously, a Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said a middle-aged man had caused a disturbance at the Kawana Shoppingworld about 11.40am Friday, May 31.
The spokeswoman said the man had been armed with scissors and making threats before he was restrained by members of the public and then arrested.
No one at the shopping centre was injured.
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