Brief
Man sentenced to nearly five years for driving stolen Landcruiser through Melbourne shopping centre
Giriwa May was sentenced to four years and ten months for a June 2025 stunt that terrified shoppers at Northland centre.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Giriwa May, 28, was sentenced on 15 October 2026 at Melbourne County Court to four years and ten months in jail, with a non‑parole period of two years and ten months, after driving a stolen Landcruiser through Northland shopping centre on 18 June 2025.
What happened
CCTV captured May smashing through glass doors and racing through a children’s play area, prompting shoppers, including a woman with a pram, to flee. Police had parked an unmarked car behind the stolen 4WD and asked May to exit; he instead reversed into the police vehicle repeatedly before crashing through the centre’s doors. After exiting, he drove about 15 minutes to Northcote shopping plaza, abandoned the vehicle, and was arrested the next day at his Hoddle Street home.
What the reports add
The SMH report notes that May had been using up to a gram of methamphetamine daily in the lead‑up to the incident. A police‑seized phone contained video messages in which May bragged about the crash, which the judge cited as evidence of his attitude.
What was said
Judge Stewart Bayles said May was "panicking" and that his only thought was to evade police, describing the pedestrians as "terrified, shocked, and taken completely by surprise." The judge added that the incident undermines public confidence in safety of shared spaces. Bayles also acknowledged May’s remorse during sentencing.
How it came about
May pleaded guilty to intentionally exposing an emergency worker to risk, conduct endangering life, handling stolen goods and damaging property. The sentencing follows a series of violent incidents in Melbourne’s north that have raised concerns about public safety in shopping precincts.
Key facts
- Giriwa May was sentenced to four years and ten months in jail (smh.com.au)
- The incident occurred on 18 June 2025 at Northland shopping centre (smh.com.au)
- May drove a stolen Landcruiser through the centre after police attempted to stop him (smh.com.au)
- He was arrested the following day at his home on Hoddle Street (smh.com.au)
- Judge Stewart Bayles noted May’s daily meth use and bragging videos as aggravating factors (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Northland shopping centre: Giriwa May jailed in Melbourne County Court”
