CRANBOURNE, VIC. — Police arrested two teenage boys following a series of armed robberies in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs overnight.
Police allege a group of youth offenders, travelling in a stolen Toyota Prado and armed with weapons, attended a liquor store on Cranbourne Road in Narre Warren South and stole cash and alcohol at about 8.15pm.
Shortly after, the group attended a tobacco store at a shopping centre on Thompsons Road, Cranbourne, before allegedly stealing cash.
Over an hour later, the group attended a fast-food store on Kangan Drive, Berwick, before they allegedly stole over $8000 in cash and assaulted a staff member at about 9.46pm.
The group then allegedly attempted an armed robbery at a liquor store on O’Shea Road before committing an armed robbery and stealing cash at another liquor store on Camms Road, Cranbourne around 11.46pm.
Officers then sighted the Prado on Narre Warren Road, Cranbourne around 4.12am.
A pursuit was initiated, and stop sticks were successfully deployed, before the vehicle was followed onto the Monash Freeway and came to a stop.
Three males then fled on foot, and with the assistance of the Dog Squad, two of the offenders were arrested and taken into custody.
One of the offenders, a 17-year-old boy from the Casey area, was taken to hospital for treatment of a dog bite.
The other boy, a 14-year-old from the Casey area, is in custody where he will be interviewed today.
Investigations continue into the incidents, whilst the whereabouts of the third offender and whether anyone else was involved remain unknown.
It is alleged the Prado was stolen from Bentleigh East on Saturday, September 19.
Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
