A former contestant from Married At First Sight, Tim Smith, intervened in a tense situation in Prahran, Melbourne, where he apprehended a 14-year-old boy allegedly brandishing a machete. The incident unfolded shortly before 3 pm, with reports indicating that two teenage boys were pursuing another boy down Izett Street.
Witnessing the chaos, Smith, who had been conversing with his campaign manager, heard screams and decided to pursue the armed individual himself. He recounted on 3AW Radio, "I chased the one with the machete for about 200 metres." Despite the boy’s threats to harm him, Smith managed to restrain him until police arrived, while the second suspect managed to escape.
Police confirmed the arrest of the 14-year-old from the greater Mildura area, along with the seizure of the machete. Following the apprehension, Smith expressed his concern about the escalating violence among youths, remarking, "When they’ve got a knife in their hand, they’re very confident… But once that knife is gone, the tears and everything start."
In addition to his heroic act, Smith is currently campaigning as an independent candidate for the Melbourne seat in the upcoming federal elections. He voiced his concerns about the city’s decline over the past decade, stating, "Melbourne’s a great city to live in… We need change, and I want to make the change."
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, with the teenage boy currently being questioned. The situation has sparked discussions surrounding youth violence in the area, underscoring the importance of community vigilance and action in addressing such issues.