South Australia Police have arrested two teenage boys after a violent altercation at an Adelaide shopping centre forced shoppers into lockdown and led to an evacuation.
A Westfield in Adelaide has been evacuated over reports of an armed offender.
Police have confirmed an incident is underway at Westfield Marion at Oaklands Park.
There are reports of an armed offender, although it’s not yet known if anyone has been injured.
Shoppers have been evacuated from the centre.
Police are now on the scene and are telling people to stay away from the area.
Westfield Marion Shopping Centre in Adelaide was evacuated and locked down on Sunday afternoon after a brawl broke out between two groups of young males.
South Australia Police reported “expandable batons” could be seen on the CCTV footage and reports have suggested a knife may have been involved.
Despite an extensive search, Special Tasks and Rescue officers were unable to locate the groups responsible for the altercation at the time.
Westfield Marion was locked down on Sunday afternoon after a brawl broke out between two groups of young men. Picture: Brett Hartwig
Police have since apprehended two of the teenagers responsible and the search continues for more suspects.
“Following investigations, two boys, aged 15 and 16, of Mitchell Park and Adelaide, were arrested and charged with assault, affray and aggravated robbery,” police said on Monday.
“Investigations are continuing to locate any outstanding suspects. The incident is not believed to be random.”
Police also seized two expandable batons in connection with the incident.
The arrested teens are scheduled to appear in the Adelaide Youth Court on Monday.
The incident caused at least two injuries during the evacuation process: a woman in her 70s and a young girl.
Shoppers were evacuated from the Westfield after it was forced into lockdown. Picture: Brett Hartwig
Both injuries were not a result of the altercation but occurred during the chaotic evacuation.
In response to the disturbance, centre management activated an alert and evacuation alarm before placing the shopping centre in lockdown.
CCTV footage has reportedly shown three boys targeting another group of youths, whom they chased through the centre and into the David Jones store.
Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said on Sunday: “I have looked at the CCTV. It involves three youths – and I will call them boys under 18 years of Caucasian appearance.”
“They approached another group of boys and an altercation occurred. The expandable batons are seen and at this stage we cannot discount any other weapons, but we have reports that a knife may be involved.
“These three boys chased the other boys through the centre and through the CCTV we were able to see they entered the David Jones store.”
Assistant Police Commissioner Scott Duval speaks to journalists outside the Westfield Marion shopping centre on Sunday. Picture: MICHAEL ERREY / Michael Errey / AFP
Authorities are continuing their investigation to locate any outstanding suspects involved in the incident.
The scene at the shopping centre was described as chaotic by witnesses with people running in all directions to escape.
Footage posted on social media has shown heavily armed officers, some in riot gear, approaching the centre.
Police have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers or reach out to South Australia Police.