A Capalaba shopping centre became the scene of a police operation on Tuesday afternoon after a man allegedly walked out of a supermarket without paying for goods, leading to a foot chase, a police dog deployment, and the discovery of a machete.
According to Queensland Police, the incident unfolded around 1:30pm on 17 June when the man reportedly left a supermarket at the Capalaba shopping centre without paying for a number of items. Loss prevention staff moved to intervene, but the man allegedly ran from the centre before they could recover the goods.
Officers responded to the area and set up a cordon while the Dog Squad was called in to assist. Police dog PD Bronco tracked the man to Lyre Street, where he was taken into custody at approximately 2:30pm — around an hour after the initial incident.
During the search, police say they located a machete inside a backpack that the man had discarded while fleeing. The man sustained minor injuries during the incident and was taken to Redland Hospital for treatment before being formally placed in custody.
A 20-year-old Capalaba resident has since been charged with two counts of possessing a knife in a public place, as well as single counts of going armed so as to cause fear, committing a public nuisance offence in the vicinity of a licensed premises, obstructing a police officer, and stealing.
He is scheduled to appear before Cleveland Magistrates Court on 30 June 2026.
Anyone with information relevant to police investigations can contact Policelink online at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or by calling 131 444. Anonymous tip-offs can be made to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au. Quote reference number QP2601159901.
Published 18-June-2026
