17yo boy remanded in custody last night

Police last night charged a 17-year-old Broadmeadows teenager following a city-wide crime spree whose latest victim was a Mernda family who were woken by the intruders around 4am yesterday morning.

The teen was found by police sleeping in a car at a Corio shopping centre yesterday afternoon. He was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated burglary, three counts of home invasion, five counts of theft of motor vehicle and three counts of theft.

He appeared in court last night and was remanded in custody to appear before a children’s court at a later date.

“This level of offending is something we haven’t seen for two years at least,” Detective Inspector Shayne Pannell told The Age.

The teen is one of five alleged offenders who forced entry into an Avoca Avenue, Mernda address early Tuesday morning where the balaclava-clad theives threatened the occupants with knives and iron bars.

“I can’t imagine what it would be like being woken up with balaclava-clad persons with iron bars and knoves … they had the terror put through them.

The Mernda aggravated burglary follows a city-wide crime spree which police believe began on Sunday night when offenders – described by police as of African appearance – broke into homes in Derrimut and Bentleigh East.

“The offending is of the extreme level,” Det. Insp. Pannell said.

A mother and child were also carjacked in Port Melbourne and police believe the incidents are related.

SMCT Detectives continue to investigate the following incidents which are believed to be linked:

• An aggravated burglary on Pasadena Crescent, Bentleigh East about 8.40pm on 26 May;

• An aggravated carjacking in Anderson Street, Port Melbourne about 9pm on May 26;

• An aggravated burglary in Derrimut about 12.10am on 27 May; and

• An aggravated burglary in Avoca Avenue, Mernda about 4am this morning.

Four other offenders, who are all perceived to be of African appearance, remain outstanding as well as a black 2015 Honda HR-V registration 1EY3DI stolen from the Derrimut aggravated burglary.

Police have released an image of a similar vehicle, anyone who sights the outstanding black 2015 Honda HR-V registration 1EY3DI is urged to contact 000 immediately.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au