Two more people have been charged over an alleged machete fight that locked down a Melbourne shopping centre and left three people hospitalised over the weekend.
The allegedly premeditated fight broke out between two rival youth gangs armed with machetes at Northland Shopping Centre in Preston on Sunday afternoon, police said.
Two teenage males were arrested at the scene and another two young males were arrested yesterday.
Investigators arrested a further two young males this morning, including an 18-year-old Derrimut man and a 21-year-old Kew man, who was hospitalised following the fight.
The Derrimut man has since been charged with affray and intentionally causing injury.
He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on July 16.
The Kew man has been charged with affray, intentionally causing injury and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
He was also bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on July 15.
The two alleged primary offenders of the fight, a 16-year-old Darebin boy and a 15-year-old Melton boy, were arrested at the scene.
They were subsequently charged with affray and intentionally causing injury, along with possessing and using a controlled weapon.
The pair were remanded to appear at a childrens’ court.
A 20-year-old Thornbury man and an 18-year-old Bundoora man were arrested yesterday.
The Thornbury man was charged with affray, intentionally causing injury and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
The Bundoora man was charged with affray and intentionally causing injury.
They were both bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on July 15.
All six males are known gang members and known to police, detectives said.
Police have seized three machetes in relation to the incident.
One offender remains on the run, and police are making enquiries into his whereabouts.
Anyone with information or footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
