Three teenage boys have been arrested over a brawl at Westfield Marion, in Adelaide’s south, that sent the shopping centre into lockdown on Sunday afternoon.
Two 15-year-olds and 16-year-old have been charged with assault, affray and aggravated robbery over the incident.
South Australia Police said two expandable batons had been seized.
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It comes after Westfield Marion shopping centre was locked down at 3pm following reports two groups of armed youths were fighting in the food court.
Witnesses said they were “petrified” when the centre warned them to run and hide via electronic signs and an evacuation alert broadcast through a speaker system.
Two people were injured as people evacuated; a woman in her 70s with a shoulder injury, and a person in their 30s with a knee injury.
The group of youths fled the scene on Sunday and were unable to be located.
However, two people of interest were arrested on Sunday evening, and a third on Monday afternoon.
SA Police Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval alleged the fight was over stolen pieces of clothing.
He said one group of boys allegedly approached and attacked another.
“The boys would appear to be known to each other, but obviously we’re still in the early days of investigation of the incident,” he said at a press conference shortly after the incident.
He said CCTV and witnesses helped locate the youths.
Accused teens appear in court
The two arrested teenagers on Sunday were due to appear in the Adelaide Youth Court on Monday.
During a hearing for the 16-year-old accused from Mitchell Park, prosecutors alleged the youth pulled out a baton and demanded a jumper from a 14-year-old boy.
The jumper was a garment from the UK brand Trapstar, and can retail for about $280.
Prosecutors alleged the 16-year-old swung at the victim multiple times, then chased him through the food court.
Westfield Marion said the shopping centre had reopened as normal on Monday.
Duval defended the centre’s decision to place shoppers into lockdown and said it was a tough choice to err on the side of safety.
“Whilst it is inconvenient for people … they are difficult things to compromise if you don’t have public safety as number one.”