Hero butcher takes down man who allegedly stormed shopping centre

A butcher has been hailed a hero after taking down a man who allegedly stormed a mall threatening to stab shoppers with a pair of scissors. 

Darren Burnett was front-and-centre in the citizen’s arrest of Luke Linsley Thorpe at Kawana Shopping Centre, in south-east Queensland, on Friday.

He was working his normal shift at Master Meats when the Thorpe allegedly suddenly threatened to kill people.

Mr Burnett dropped his work and headed off with another man in the direction of the allegedly armed man. 

Tony Harvey, the owner and manager of the butcher, said his employee played an important role in the citizen’s arrest. 

‘There was a lot of noise then people started running and someone yelled out he’s got a knife,’ Mr Harvey told the Courier Mail. 

But despite his efforts, Mr Burnett was adamant that he was not a hero.

‘I didn’t even think about if I was going to be stabbed, I just jumped in,’ he said. 

He said he just jumped in and tried to do something after seeing security ushering the customers and staff to safety.

Mr Burnett then recalled seeing a terrified woman on the phone to police, white and violently shaking, who he reassured.

He then grabbed a shopping trolley from Woolworths and headed to the outside car park, where he saw a struggle happening. 

‘Two blokes were grabbing him and trying to restrain him… so I ran through the carpark and got him to the ground.’ Mr Burnett said. 

He then recalled seeing police arrive with a paddy wagon.

Police alleged he stole scissors from the store and threatened to kill a female shopper and everyone in the shopping centre.   

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A Mirvac spokesperson for the Kawana Shopping Centre said the safety of customers, retailers and staff is of the highest importance and they continue to work closely with the local police and retailers following the incident.

They said the Centre Management Team undertake intensive emergency management training and that they will continue to review and update procedures as required.

Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia that the 41-year-old Caboolture man was charged with one count each of going armed so as to cause fear, stealing, wilful damage, trespass and commit public nuisance.

‘The man was restrained by members of the public and arrested by police a short time later,’ a police spokesperson said in a statement.

‘No one was physically injured during the incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community.’

He is expected to appear at Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on June 7.