Whittlesea Crime Investigation Unit Detectives have now arrested four males following an affray at a Preston shopping complex yesterday.
It is alleged eight people from rival youth gangs began fighting while allegedly armed with machetes, at the shopping complex on Murray Road just after 2.30pm.
CCTV indicates the affray lasted for approximately two minutes, with around 40 local police and specialist units, including the Public Order Response Team and Critical Incident Response Team, arriving on scene within minutes.
Police will allege this was a planned fight between two rival youth gangs, with thankfully no innocent bystanders hurt.
Two teenage males who are believed to be the primary offenders were arrested at the scene.
A 16-year-old boy from the Darebin area and a 15-year-old boy from the Melton area were subsequently charged with affray, intentionally cause injury, possess controlled weapon, and use controlled weapon.
They were remanded to appear at a children's court.
A 20-year-old man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening head injuries.
A further two men were arrested this morning in relation to this incident.
This includes a 20-year-old Thornbury man charged with affray, intentionally cause injury, and commit an indictable offence while on bail.
An 18-year-old Bundoora man has also been charged with affray and intentionally cause injury.
Both were bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on 15 July.
Those arrested are all known gang members and known to police.
A total of three edged weapons have been seized by police.
Police are confident they know the identities of the other three males involved in the incident, with arrests imminent.
Police will be patrolling the area over the coming days and weekends, while local police will also engage with shopping centre management and retail staff to reassure and most importantly, thank them for their efforts yesterday.
Victoria Police is also seeking to identify a civilian who bravely detained one of the offenders until police arrived yesterday. Vision of this act was circulating widely yesterday, and police would like to appropriately recognise him for his actions.
Victoria Police continues to relentlessly pursue, disrupt, and dismantle the state's worst youth gangs as part of Operation Alliance.
In the past year alone, Operation Alliance has led to the arrest of 473 youth gang members a combined 1,731 times. Over 4,400 charges have been laid in relation to these matters.
Anyone with information or footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
