- Published:
- Tuesday 24 March 2026 at 4:11 pm
A man has been charged following an incident at a shopping centre in Maribyrnong yesterday, 23 March.
Police and PSOs working as part of Operation Pulse responded to reports of a man behaving suspiciously at the centre on Rosamond Road around 4pm.
It’s alleged he was approaching teenagers asking for their urine sample to use for a workplace drug test.
He was subsequently searched with officers locating a loaded firearm down his pants.
The 41-year-old was arrested, and warrants were executed at an address in Maidstone today.
The Maidstone man has been charged with prohibited person possess firearm, carry loaded firearm in public place, possess loaded firearm in public place and possess ammunition without licence.
He will appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 24 March.
Over 700 people have been arrested as part of Victoria Police’s enhanced enforcement efforts targeting crime and anti-social behaviour at a number of Melbourne shopping centres.
Operation Pulse, which commenced in December last year, sees police and PSOs team up on high-visible patrols at some of our busiest retail locations.
The operation is currently taking place at up to eight shopping centres per day – Pacific Werribee, Bayside Frankston, Highpoint, Fountain Gate, Northland, Watergardens, Southland, and Eastland.
Deployments are agile and based on intelligence, crime data and calls for assistance, ensuring resources are strategically placed to prevent crime and provide reassurance.
Since the operation commenced, almost 1500 charges have been laid, with shop theft accounting for almost half of those.
There have also been 137 weapons seized, 147 drug seizures, 290 cautions issued, 207 fines issued, and 7750 vehicles checked.
The operation will run until the end of 2026.
Belinda Batty
Media Unit
146902
Updated