A man is facing charges after brandishing a knife in alarming scenes at a busy Sydney shopping centre.
Police arrested the man at Westfield Parramatta after he stole a number of items from stores on Saturday morning, arming himself with a knife and threatening a shopper.
The shopper, a 36-year-old man, confronted his attacker who then left the scene and the knife behind.
Police say the 24-year-old man allegedly attempted to assault officers when they arrested him.
The officers searched the man and seized 69 gift cards and a pair of earrings.
He was taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with shoplifting, goods in custody, use knife in public place – cause person to fear for safety, and intimidate police officer in execution of duty.
He was refused bail and expected to front Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
The incident follows terror charges laid against a young man earlier this month, for allegedly throwing bottles of chemicals into a bathroom at Westfield Miranda, in Sydney's south.
It also follows the death of six people and injuries to six others when 40-year-old Joel Cauchi went on a stabbing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney's eastern suburbs on April 13.
The Westfield Bondi Junction attack was the country's worst mass killing in recent years.
