Knife-wielding man seen leaving unit block with weapons arrested at Westfield

Dramatic scenes have unfolded at a major Sydney shopping centre after a man allegedly armed with a knife ran through the shopping centre.

The man was eventually arrested in the food court at Westfield Mt Druitt after police responded to reports a man was seen leaving a unit block with weapons on Reliance Crescent at Willmot about 1pm on Monday.

Officers tried to stop him in a vehicle on Close Place at Hebersham about five minutes later but it failed to stop.

Police initiated a pursuit but called it off due to safety concerns.

Officers located the vehicle at the Westfield Mount Druitt car park with help from the police helicopter.

The 21-year-old driver was found and arrested inside Westfield and was taken to the Mount Druitt Police Station where he was charged with never licensed person drive vehicle on road, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously (two counts), carry cutting weapon upon apprehension, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, and possess prohibited drug.

Footage from the food court shows police surrounding a suspect on the ground with a weapon visible at their feet.

The suspect was refused bail to appear in court on Tuesday.