Man charged after incident at Karrinyup Shopping Centre with tomahawk

A man allegedly armed with a tomahawk has terrified Christmas shoppers at a major shopping centre in Perth’s north.

Several shoppers called WA Police after spotting a man walking through Karrinyup Shopping Centre armed with the weapon about 5.30pm on Sunday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Man armed with tomahawk ‘terrorises Christmas shoppers’

As officers were dispatched, the man moved to one of the centre’s undercover carparks and allegedly threatened another man in his 60s before attempting to steal his car.

A short time later, the accused then allegedly approached a teenager and struck her arm with the tomahawk before stealing her vehicle. She managed to escape without serious injury.

Police allege officers activated their emergency lights and sirens to stop the man as he sped away in the stolen Hyundai, however, failed to do so.

Detectives from the Rapid Apprehension Squad managed to track him down on Beatrice Street in Innaloo a short time later - where he was arrested.

The 23-year-old man was later charged with several offences including aggravated armed assault with intent to rob, aggravated armed robbery, stealing a motor vehicle and driving recklessly and having no authority to drive (disqualified from holding or obtaining).

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on January 13.