A 17-year-old from Goulburn is facing court after police allege he threatened a Canberra Centre security guard with a 40cm long “Bowie knife”.

At about 2.50pm on Wednesday police were called to the Canberra Centre after two juvenile males were seen stealing from stores.

Police allege one security guard approached the juveniles before the 17-year-old from Goulburn partially removed the knife from its sheath and threatened the security guard.

The 17-year-old then ran from the centre to a nearby carpark where he was found by police and arrested.

He has been charged with two counts of common assault, possessing an offensive weapon with intent, possessing a prohibited weapon and minor theft.