A central Wellington street was closed off this afternoon after a man brandished a weapon at a clothing store and brawls broke out among spectators gathered outside.
Sergeant Mark Oliver, of central police communications, said extra police had to be called to the incident at Manners Mall to
deal with the group of about 150 people.
Police were called to the scene about 4pm when a man, in his mid-20, became abusive towards staff at the clothing store Loaded, who had confronted him over shoplifting.
The man brandished nunchakus, a martial arts weapon, at the staff and police.
While police were speaking with the man another group not connected with him "gathered in the mall and small pockets of fighting broke out", Mr Oliver said.
The crowd was quickly dispersed, he said.
The man was arrested and taken to Wellington police station.
- NZPA
