Newly released court footage has captured the terrifying moment a stolen four-wheel-drive vehicle ploughed through a packed Melbourne shopping centre, sending shoppers, including young children, fleeing for their lives.
Chaos at Northland Shopping Centre
The incident occurred at the Northland Shopping Centre in Preston, Melbourne, around 4pm on a Wednesday in June. The court has now released dramatic footage from nine different angles, combining CCTV and mobile phone videos taken by stunned bystanders.
The video shows a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser being driven at high speed through the pedestrian areas of the centre. Panicked shoppers are seen scrambling out of the vehicle's path in a scene of utter chaos.
Accused Driver Arrested and Charged
The 27-year-old accused driver allegedly abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. He was, however, arrested in East Melbourne the following morning. The man has been committed to stand trial next year over the dangerous incident.
Two Men Charged Over Targeted Sydney Shooting
In a separate major crime incident, two men have been arrested and charged following a targeted shooting in Sydney's west last month.
Police launched an investigation after more than 50 shots were allegedly fired from a semi-automatic weapon at a home on MacKellar Street in Casula around 2.20am on November 15.
While no one inside the house was injured, police are treating the attack as a targeted incident. The alleged offenders used a stolen black Audi to travel to the scene. A passenger is accused of firing the shots and leaving a threatening note on a piece of cardboard at the address.
A 20-year-old man was arrested on Monday at Parramatta Police Station and charged with 18 offences. Police allege he was the gunman. This follows the earlier arrest of a 19-year-old man at a home in Waterloo on November 27. He was charged over his alleged role in moving the car used in the Casula shooting.
Both cases highlight ongoing police investigations into serious violent crimes in major Australian cities.
