Shoppers ran in fear after a ute drove through the Gippsland Centre in Sale on Monday afternoon.

In a statement to the Gippsland Times, Victoria Police said a red Ford Falcon ute drove through the sliding glass door entrance from Cunninghame St, near Paper Cranes Sushi, about 3.40pm.

Officers were told a ute was driven through the centre before the driver fleed the scene.

It is understood the ute exited through the entrance near Williams Shoes towards Macarthur St, smashing the sliding glass doors.

Aftermath. Damage to the glass sliding doors at the Macarthur St entrance where the ute exited the Gippsland Centre. Photo: Evan King, Facebook

An eyewitness inside the centre at the time of the incident described hearing an “enormous” noise, likening it to a wall collapsing. They told the Gippsland Times that after the loud sound, people walked towards the source but quickly ran away. Feeling unsafe, the witness fled to their car.

In a statement, police said no one was injured during the incident.

A 43-year-old Maffra man was later arrested by police in Sale, before being interviewed and charged with a number of offences. He was set to appear in the Sale Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, after the Gippsland Times went to press.

Both damaged entrances were blocked off to the public as a crime scene. Repairs to secure the damaged doors were completed Monday night.

Repair work to secure the Cunninghame St entrance in progress on Monday night. Photo: Erika Allen

The entrances remained closed to the public on Tuesday morning until a Wellington Shire Council inspector signed off on the safety works.

According to the Gippsland Centre’s Facebook page, the entrances closest to Baker’s Delight (Cunninghame St) and Williams shoes (Macarthur St) reopened just before 10.15am Tuesday.

Gippsland Centre management said they could not provide further comment when contacted by the Gippsland Times.

Police are appealing for any witnesses and dash cam footage of the red ute. People who saw the vehicle or can assist in any way, and are willing to supply a statement or dash cam footage, have been asked to phone Sale Police on 5142 2200.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with footage can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au