Man charged after David Jones staffer alleged stabbed in Melbourne’s CBD
A 19-year-old man has been charged after a David Jones staffer was allegedly stabbed while trying to apprehend a shoplifter.
Police & Courts
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The man accused of stabbing a David Jones employee in Melbourne CBD and fleeing with a stolen designer handbag will remain behind bars.
Police alleged the teen knifed a male staff member in the arm after both he and a female accomplice were confronted as they attempted to steal a designer handbag from Saint Laurent.
It was alleged the pair, who quickly fled the scene, posed as customers when the scuffle unfolded on Tuesday in front of horrified colleagues and members of the public.
Brave customers, one of them reportedly a doctor, applied first aid to the shaken staff member as police searched The Emporium off Little Bourke St for the two suspects.
Victoria Police said two search warrants were on Friday executed at properties in Maidstone and Ascot Vale.
Two men were arrested while a firearm and a quantity of drugs, including heroin and amphetamine, were seized.
The teen was charged with intentionally cause injury, multiple counts of theft, firearm offences, drug possession and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
Police vision taken moments after detectives swooped showed the teen, clad in Nike-branded clothing and his black hoodie pulled over his head, restrained by handcuffs.
Two detectives were seen escorting the suspect from the single-storey Maidstone property before he was placed into the back of an unmarked police vehicle.
No application for bail was made when the teen appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon via video link.
The teen remained silent throughout the hearing, only moving to fix his hair.
Defence lawyer Alana Reader appeared on the teen’s behalf, citing possible “custody management issues” due to Willis’ young age, as well as his struggles with mental health and drug-related issues.
Magistrate Andrew McKenna noted Willis, who identifies as Indigenous, earlier indicated concerns over his personal safety if remanded in custody.
The matter was adjourned and due to return to court on May 30.
Meanwhile, an 18-year-old Ascot Vale man was also arrested over matters unrelated to the alleged stabbing as a result of the search warrants.
Detectives were continuing with investigations into the whereabouts of the teen’s alleged female accomplice.
Anyone with information’s urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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