Police release vision of man, associates after Pacific Fair store theft scuffle goes wrong

A security guard at a Gold Coast shopping centre was forced to use a fire extinguisher as a shield after a luxury bag thief allegedly lunged at his head with a knife. SEE THE VISION >>

A SECURITY guard at a major Gold Coast shopping centre was forced to use a fire extinguisher as a shield after a luxury bag thief allegedly lunged at his head with a knife, according to police.

The 19-year-old was slashed across the arm during the scuffle at Pacific Fair, Broadbeach last Sunday.

The alleged attacker remains on the run.

Police wish to speak to the man in connection to a wounding at PacificFair, at Broadbeach.

Detectives have released vision of a man and two others who may be able to assist with their inquiries as part of the investigation.

Police say a man entered a high-end store that was closing for the night and grabbed three luxury handbags before running from the store about 5.30pm.

An employee yelled out, sparking the attention of the security guard who gave chase.

The man threw the stolen handbags over a railing, before producing a knife and running towards the food court, police alleged.

A security guard at a major Gold Coast shopping centre was forced to use a fire extinguisher as a shield after a luxury bag thief lunged at his head with a knife, police say.

“The security guard armed himself with a fire extinguisher and gave chase, spraying the man with the fire extinguisher in an attempt to deter him from nearing members of the public,” police said in a statement.

“The man then lunged at the security guard’s head with the knife. However, the security guard used the fire extinguisher as a shield and the back of his left-hand was wounded.”

The man was last seen running eastbound on Hooker Boulevard.

Police have released footage of two people who may be able to assist with their inquiries in connection to a wounding at Pacific Fair, at Broadbeach.

The security guard was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital for a non-life-threatening laceration.

Police investigations have identified that the man arrived at the shopping centre in a vehicle with two other people; a man and woman.

Police are appealing to anyone who recognised the three people depicted in the vision – or anyone who may have captured dash camera footage of the man along Hooker Boulevard around 5.40pm – to come forward.

Investigations continue.

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