A woman who filmed a viral video ranting at police and security as they arrested a young boy in a Queensland shopping centre has been charged with obstruction.
Video of the incident posted to TikTok last week showed several security guards in Morayfield Shopping Centre, north of Brisbane, following a boy as they attempt to block him from leaving.
The woman filming follows the group and argues with the security officers, telling them to “stop touching him”.
“You cannot restrain him physically, let him go,” she says.
The security guards are seen using their bodies to block the exits.
“That’s actual assault,” the woman says. “You’re touching him and you don’t have you badge number displayed, that is against the legislation.”
A police officer then arrives and arrests the boy, who appears to be around 10 years old, and warns the woman she will be charged as well if she doesn’t leave.
“Police responded to a reported incident of stealing from a store within Morayfield Shopping Centre on Friday November 10, 2023,” a Queensland Police spokesman said.
“As a result of this incident, a juvenile male was dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Youth Justice Act. In addition, a 45-year-old woman from Labrador was issued a notice to appear in the Caboolture Magistrates Court, charged with trespass, obstruct police, and contravene direction or requirement of a police officer.”
The woman’s original TikTok video has been viewed 1.2 million times.
Responding to users’ comments, she claimed she had made “complaints” against police and security and “they are going to pay dearly for their actions”.
“I’m going to get a huge payout. Because exactly right I know the law,” she wrote.
“My last payout was $30,000 for a cop not knowing the law. Taxpayer funded.”
She also shared an email from a representative for security firm Trident Services, who said the company was “conducting an internal confidential investigation to this matter”.
“Respectfully, our operative at the time was involved in a security event with another person at the time,” he wrote. “Therefore, our officer was under no obligation throughout the time of the event to produce her licence to you or any other persons.”
She claimed in another video that police were heavy-handed in arresting her.
“I have complex PTSD and I had a panic attack and asthma attack,” she wrote.
More Coverage
“He refused to call an ambulance … I asked them to call the officer in charge as I did not feel safe. They refused.”
Trident Services has been contacted for comment.
Read related topics:BrisbanencG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7xaKlmqaTmnyjwdKipZ6ro2S%2FpsDAoqNorJiWwW610maYoJmZo8C1edOhnGaklZy2tLjAraCopl2svK6tzWapmqakqHqiwIysnJytop7BunnArGSbp6lirrO%2BxKyrnpxdnrtuv8eop6mhnpx6pLHNrameZ56axLR50q2mq7FfZoGmf5ScbmtsY5eDd63FcJxybGhrgqZ%2BwG5vanGTmIE%3D