Whittlesea Crime Investigation Unit detectives have now arrested six people following rival youth gangs armed with machetes at Northland Shopping Centre, Preston on Sunday.
A further two male youths were arrested this morning by investigators.
An 18-year-old Derrimut man has since been charged with affray and intentionally causing injury.
He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on July 16.
A 21-year-old Kew man, who was treated at hospital with non-life-threatening head injuries from the incident, was charged with affray, intentionally causing injury and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
He was bailed – again – to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on July 15.
Initially believed to be eight people involved, further investigations determined that seven people from rival youth gangs began fighting while allegedly armed with machetes, at Northland Shopping Centre on Murray Road, Preston just after 2.30pm.
CCTV indicates the affray lasted for approximately two minutes, with around 40 local police and specialist units, including the Public Order Response Team and Critical Incident Response Team, arriving on scene within minutes.
Police will allege this was a planned fight between two rival youth gangs, with thankfully no innocent bystanders hurt.
Two teenage males, alleged to be the primary offenders, were arrested at the scene.
A 16-year-old boy from the Darebin area and a 15-year-old boy from the Melton area were subsequently charged with affray, intentionally causing injury, possessing a controlled weapon, and using a controlled weapon.
They were remanded to appear at a children’s court.
Two men were also arrested about this incident yesterday.
This includes a 20-year-old Thornbury man charged with affray, intentionally causing injury, and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
An 18-year-old Bundoora man has also been charged with affray and intentionally causing injury.
Both were bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on July 15.
Those arrested were all known gang members and are known to police.
A total of three edged weapons have been seized by police.
One offender remains outstanding, and police are making enquiries into his whereabouts.
Police will be patrolling the area over the coming days and weekends, while local police will also engage with shopping centre management and retail staff to reassure and most importantly, thank them for their efforts yesterday.
Victoria Police continues to relentlessly pursue, disrupt, and dismantle the state’s worst youth gangs as part of Operation Alliance.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
