Man arrested at Westfield Helensvale following alleged destructive rampage

Police have been forced to pull a taser on a man following an alleged armed and destructive rampage at a major Gold Coast shopping centre. Read what happened.

Alleged knife wielding man arrested at Westfield Helensvale. Picture: Richard Gosling

Police have been forced to pull a taser on a man allegedly involved in an armed and destructive rampage at Westfield Helensvale shopping centre.

Officers were called to the retail hub about 9pm on Friday as the situation escalated.

“A 29-year-old male was creating a disturbance and he was (allegedly) in possession of a large 12-inch carving knife,” Gold Coast Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said.

“Security challenged that male who then became aggressive. We (police) attended the scene and located the male and we presented a taser.

“Thankfully he complied with our directions and he was arrested without further incident.”

Chief Supt Hanlon said the man had allegedly caused damage to several pieces of property at the shopping centre.

A 29-year-old Browns Plains man has been charged with four counts of wilful damage and one count of going armed to cause fear. He was denied police bail and remanded in custody to face court on December 3.

The incident follows a separate alleged attack at nearby Helensvale Train Station less than a fortnight ago. Picture: Glenn Hampson

It’s the second incident allegedly involving a bladed weapon near the transport and retail hub in less than a fortnight. On October 8, a 34-year-old man sustained a stab wound to his leg when he was allegedly set upon in broad daylight by three teenagers while walking along nearby Town Centre Drive.

A 14-year-old Varsity Lakes boy has been charged with common assault, wounding, and a further two charges of assaults occasioning bodily harm and common assault with the aggravating factor of publishing material on social media.

A 15-year-old Upper Coomera boy was also charged with knife possession in a public place, common assault, wounding and one count each of assaults occasioning bodily harm and common assault with the aggravating factor of publishing material on social media.

The two boys were granted bail by the court the day after their arrests.