Morley Galleria damaged after car driven through shopping centre in Perth
In short:
A ute smashed through the doors of Perth's Morley Galleria shopping centre early on Friday, causing damage inside.
The driver was arrested an hour later at a nearby pub, where he allegedly broke in and poured himself a beer.
What's next?
The man is due to face court on several charges tomorrow, and several shops remain closed as police investigate the damage.
Police have charged a man in his 40s after a car was driven through the mall of one of Perth's major shopping centres, causing damage.
Emergency services say they received reports of a white ute ploughing through the southern doors of the Morley Galleria shopping centre in the early hours of Friday.
Police said around 4.35am the car was used to force entry into the shopping centre, after a bollard was removed.
Doors at the Morley Galleria shopping centre in Perth were damaged when a car was driven through part of the shopping centre overnight. (Supplied)
"The vehicle has then been driven through the main doors and into the roller doors of a store," a police spokeswoman said.
"The driver was unable to gain entry to the store and drove back out of the shopping centre and away from the scene."
Man arrested at pub
About an hour later the man was apprehended at a nearby pub, which had yet to open.
Police arrested a man inside the nearby Russell Inn. (Supplied)
Police have since charged a 46-year-old Morley man with a number of offences, including criminal damage or destruction of property and aggravated burglary on a place.
The pub owner told the ABC the man followed a worker who was making an early morning delivery into the venue.
He said he had pretended to be a pub worker and poured himself a pint at the bar.
Inside the Galleria mall on Friday morning, tyre marks were seen on the floor, while the entrance to Target had been cordoned off with white sheeting.
CCTV vision shows the ute travelling through the closed mall with its headlines on.
Some Morley Galleria shops remained closed on Friday after the car was driven through the centre. (Supplied)
Shopping centre owners Vicinity released a statement saying several shops remain closed.
"Following an incident at the centre in the early hours this morning, we are currently assisting police with their investigation," the statement read.
"At this stage, Target has been impacted and is closed, and the entry to the Woolworths Mall will also be closed until further notice.
"Trading hours for some impacted stores within the Woolworths Mall may vary. All other areas of the centre remain open and trading."
Workers were on the scene today, repairing the damage caused when a car drove through glass sliding doors at Morley Galleria shopping centre in Perth's east. (Supplied)
Suspect 'poured himself a beer'
Publican Harry Sandhu, who owns Russell Inn Bar where the suspect was arrested, said CCTV appeared to show the man driving through a wire fence near the venue and trying unsuccessfully to open the door of the pub while holding a long metal object.
A fence was damaged outside the The Russell Inn Bar and Restaurant in Morley. (ABC News: Kenith Png )
Another camera inside the venue appeared to show the man following a delivery worker into the venue and searching behind the bar for a glass.
Upon finding one, he then pours himself a beer from the taps, before the delivery worker reappears and confronts him.
The man was captured on the pub's CCTV appearing to pour himself a beer. (Supplied)
The suspect then walks away from the bar and out of view, before police are seen entering the venue minutes later.
When he reappears, he removes his jacket to reveal a "best Dad ever" apron, before putting his hands in the air, apparently at the direction of police who have tasers pointed at him.
An officer is then seen handcuffing him before he is led away.
Mr Sandhu said the delivery worker called police, who arrested the suspect.
The Russell Inn Bar and Restaurant, where the suspect poured himself a pint after driving through Morley Galleria. (ABC News: Kenith Png )
He said it was disappointing to see a family-owned business targeted.
"This kind of incident really makes things hard as a small business," he said.
Harry Sandhu, the owner of The Russell Inn Bar and Restaurant in Morley, said it was disppaointing to see his family-run business targeted. (ABC News: Kenith Png )
Mr Sandhu said his wife, who also works at the venue, was frightened after watching the CCTV footage.
"When she came in the morning, looking at the videos, she feels a little bit scared," he said.
The Russell Inn Bar and Restaurant, where publican Harry Sandhu said the suspect poured himself a pint after driving through Morley Galleria. (ABC News: Kenith Png )
The Russell Inn remained open as usual on Friday.
Shopping centre woes
The incident comes as centre management continues to face sustained pressure from the community and local politicians over a long-delayed redevelopment of the shopping centre.
Almost the entirety of the second floor is vacant as tenants await a $240 million renovation.
A spokesperson for Vicinity said the incident was not expected to impact the centre's redevelopment plans, and it was too early to determine the cost of the damage.
The accused is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday.
He is also facing other offences on previous, unrelated matters.
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