A man is facing charges after brandishing a knife in alarming scenes at a busy Sydney shopping centre.
The man was arrested at Westfield Parramatta after he stole a number of items from stores on Saturday morning, arming himself with a knife and threatening a shopper.
The 36-year-old shopper confronted his alleged attacker, who then left the scene and the knife behind.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
NSW Police allege the 24-year-old man attempted to assault officers when they arrested him.
Officers then searched the man and seized 69 gift cards and a pair of earrings.
He was taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with shoplifting, having goods in custody, using a knife in a public place – causing a person to fear for their safety, and intimidating a police officer in execution of their duty.
He was refused bail and will appear before Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
The incident follows terror charges laid against a young man earlier this month, for allegedly throwing bottles of chemicals into a bathroom at Westfield Miranda, in Sydney’s south.
It also follows the death of six people and injuries to six others when 40-year-old Joel Cauchi went on a stabbing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on April 13.
The Westfield Bondi Junction attack was the country’s worst mass killing in recent years.