A major police operation unfolded at North Lakes yesterday afternoon as officers cornered and arrested two men inside the Westfield shopping complex, marking the end of an alleged crime spree across Brisbane’s northern suburbs.
Shoppers at North Lakes witnessed dozens of police vehicles surrounding the centre around 2 PM as officers, including dog squad units, moved in to apprehend the suspects who had allegedly been involved in multiple car thefts and break-ins.
PolAir footage captured the dramatic moments leading up to the arrests, showing the suspects abandoning their vehicle — reportedly a stolen Mazda CX9 — before fleeing into the shopping centre, where they were quickly surrounded by police.
The arrests at North Lakes came after a series of alleged offences including car thefts, a collision in Caboolture, and break-ins across Brisbane’s northern suburbs. The incident began the previous night and stretched into Thursday afternoon before culminating at the busy shopping complex.
Two men — aged 24 and 28 — were arrested at the scene and face multiple charges including unlawful use of a motor vehicle and entering a dwelling. The older suspect was charged with entering a dwelling and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, while the younger man faces additional charges of dangerous operation of a vehicle and receiving stolen property.
Police continue to search for a third suspect, who remains at large. Both arrested men are scheduled to appear in Caboolture Magistrates Court today.
Local shoppers reported seeing the extensive police presence, including dog squad vehicles, as officers secured the area around the shopping centre during the operation.
Are you a big Star Wars fan? Prepare to be transported to a galaxy far, far away as Westfield North Lakesprepares to become mecca for Jedi enthusiasts and Sith aficionados alike.
The ‘Spark Excitement’ with Star Wars programme will come to North Lakes from April 8th to April 28th, sparking the imaginations of both new and old Jedi. This cosmic trip is sure to be exciting for everyone who goes, from new apprentices to experienced force mentors.
Training With Lightsabers
Photo Credit: Supplied
At the centre of the celebrations is a once-in-a-lifetime chance: training with lightsabers.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Aspiring Jedis can improve their skills with the help of experienced teachers. They will feel the pulse of the force guiding their every move as they get better at the old art of the lightsaber with each swing and flourish.
A Star Wars Experience
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Fans will be able to explore the world of Star Wars more deeply through a variety of exciting activities. One of these is ‘A Star Wars Experience’, which is very intense.
Photo Credit: Supplied
People can take this amazing trip to the faraway planet Batuu, which is a remote outpost on the edge of the universe. People are welcome to get lost in a world of busy cantinas, strange scenery and unfamiliar landscapes.
Win 1 of 10 family trips to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
People who want to go on a trip through space can enter to win one of 10 family vacations to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Disneyland Resort in California.
Because Westfield, Disney, and Flight Centre have worked together to make this amazing spectacle possible, the lucky winners will be able to follow in the footsteps of their favourite heroes and explore the famous galaxy far, far away. Don’t miss this chance to go on a trip through space!
What’s included:
3 nights’ accommodation at a Disneyland Resort hotel property (or Disneyland Resort area hotel)
3-day Park Hopper Ticket to Disneyland Resort for a family of 4
Return economy flights* to Los Angeles (incl. taxes) for 2 adults & 2 children**
Return airport-to-hotel transfers
Photo Credit: Supplied
As families rush to Westfield North Lakes to escape the abyss of school vacation boredom, Spark Stations will have a wide range of activities based on Star Wars. All of the stations, from arts and crafts to face painting, show how creative and imaginative the Star Wars world is.
‘We are thrilled to provide Star Wars-themed activities for fans and customers of all ages, thanks to our exceptional partnership with Disney,” says Jacqui Waine, the General Manager of Marketing and Community for Westfield, sharing her enthusiasm and expressing how thrilled Westfield is to bring a piece of the Star Wars universe to Westfield North Lakes with ‘Spark Excitement.’
Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Products at The Walt Disney Company Australia & New Zealand, Tim Everett, agrees.
“We are so thrilled to continue our collaboration with Westfield, sparking excitement, adventure, and bringing the Disney magic to their customers and our fans throughout 2024,” he said.
As the campaign goes on, people’s excitement grows and spreads to their friends, families, and groups in North Lakes and beyond. The Star Wars world is getting closer all the time, inviting fans to go on an adventure they’ll never forget that will be talked about across the galaxy for years to come.
Founded by Ben Cleary-Corradini and Theo Roduner, Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers started out as a two-person market stall in Brisbane that served fresh, hand-made gnocchi before evolving into Australia’s first-ever dedicated Italian Gnoccheria in Paddington. Now, the restaurant has become a chain with branches all across the country, with one scheduled to open in Westfield North Lakes sometime in 2021.
The restaurant takes pride in how it uses local produce to create light and fluffy potato gnocchi — their specialty and signature dish. The gnocchi used at each and every one of their branches are made fresh daily. Their sauce is also created using ingredients sourced locally such as farmers markets.
Photo credit: Instagram/gnocchignocchibrothers
Residents of North Lakes can expect to see a variety of gnocchi-based dishes and indulge themselves with meals such as the Wild Mushroom and Truffle Sauce, which consists of fresh gnocchi served with delicious creamy sauce and slow-cooked mushrooms in cream, garlic, onions, and Italian herbs and spices drizzled with truffle oil.
Photo credit: Instagram/gnocchignocchibrothers
Those with dietary restrictions can also treat themselves to their specialty Vegan Gnocchi — a dish comprised of potato and white flour gnocchi served with rich and spicy cherry tomato, sweet capsicum, garlic, onion, chili, and black olive sauce.
Photo credit: Instagram/gnocchignocchibrothers
The upcoming Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers North Lakes branch can be found at Westfield North Lakes, North Lakes Drive, North Lakes. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and special announcements concerning the restaurant.
