Dramatic scenes as knife-wielding man tasered and arrested outside Islamic youth centre in Melbourne's north

7NEWS

a day ago

A dramatic arrest has been captured on camera after a man was seen wielding a large knife outside an Islamic youth centre.
The 43-year-old Craigieburn man was allegedly behaving erratically outside the Hume Islamic Youth Centre (HIYC) on Motto Dr in Coolaroo, Melbourne's north, about 5.50pm on Monday.
Police attempted to intercept a white Toyota SUV the man was in, but he got out of the car armed with a large knife.
As officers and bystanders surrounded him, urging him to 'drop the knife' and 'get on the ground', he continued walking through the car park, ignoring repeated commands.
An officer used a Taser to restrain the man, who was seen falling to the ground.
In footage obtained of the scene, a bystander is seen pushing a shopping trolley toward the man in an apparent attempt to stop him from advancing.
Another bystander quickly picked up the knife as officers moved in to make the arrest.
The man was taken to a police station where he is expected to be interviewed.
HIYC commended the swift response from both its staff and police in a statement.
'We wish to address an incident that occurred on Monday evening, 21 July, involving an individual who brandished a weapon in the shared carpark area,' the centre said.
'Police authorities were contacted. The situation was quickly contained and, by the grace of Allah, no one was harmed.
'HIYC will work to ensure that the highest standards of safety and security are upheld.
'Our priority remains the wellbeing of our community and the preservation of a space where they can thrive.'