Woman charged for allegedly lying to police, causing Palmerston North mall evacuation

She will appear in court on Friday.
She will appear in court on Friday. Photo credit: Getty

A woman is facing jail after allegedly lying to police and causing a mall to be evacuated.

On June 4 at 8:45pm, police were told a person at The Plaza in Palmerston North may have had a gun and was threatening someone's safety.

As a result the mall - about to close for the night - was evacuated by armed police as they hunted for the alleged offender. No one was found, and no arrests were made. 

A 32-year-old woman has since been arrested and charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

She will appear in Palmerston District Court on Friday morning.

The maximum penalty for perverting the course of justice is seven years in prison.