Chaos at Northland: Stolen Car Sparks Shopping Centre Lockdown
Imagine you’re just out running some errands, maybe popping into Kmart or grabbing a coffee, when suddenly — chaos erupts. That’s exactly what unfolded yesterday afternoon at Melbourne’s Northland Shopping Centre in Preston. The whole place went into an emergency lockdown after a white Toyota Landcruiser — confirmed to be a stolen vehicle — smashed through the shopping centre, sending terrified shoppers scrambling for cover.
It happened around 4 PM, right in the middle of a busy shopping period. Eyewitnesses said it sounded like gunfire at first — loud, sudden bangs — but it was actually the sound of the vehicle crashing through the centre’s entrances and tearing through the main area. One shopper, Tanya, shared with 3AW Drive that she was inside the Kmart when the incident occurred. She described the terrifying moment when up to 70 people barricaded themselves inside the store, locking the gates and staying hidden until it was safe.
Also Read:- Why Israel’s Strategy Failed Against Hamas but Might Work Against Iran
- Dartford Crossing Toll Hike Sparks Public Backlash and Political Tensions
Some people inside the store reportedly saw the vehicle before hearing the crash and acted quickly to pull the gates down — a move that may have prevented injuries. Fortunately, and perhaps miraculously, there have been no reports of serious injuries so far. Victoria Police confirmed the SUV was being pursued before the driver attempted to evade officers in the most dramatic and reckless way possible — by taking the chase off the road and into a bustling shopping centre.
Emergency services were on the scene immediately. Shoppers were evacuated, and the centre was closed down while authorities secured the area and searched for the suspect. At this stage, the whereabouts of the driver remain unknown, and investigations are ongoing.
This isn't even the first violent incident at Northland in recent weeks. Just earlier this month, a machete brawl broke out inside the centre, prompting a statewide crackdown on the sale of such weapons. That incident already had locals on edge — but today’s event has certainly shaken the community even more.
It’s a stark reminder of how quickly a normal day can turn upside down. For now, the centre remains under scrutiny as authorities piece together exactly how this happened, and how to prevent something like it from ever happening again. Melbourne’s shoppers will be looking for answers — and reassurance — after such a harrowing day.
Read More:
0 Comments