CRANBOURNE, VIC. — Casey Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) detectives have charged two teenage boys overnight following a series of armed robberies in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs on Friday night.
It’s alleged a group of offenders, travelling in a stolen Toyota Prado and armed with weapons, attended a liquor store on Cranbourne Road in Narre Warren and stole cash and alcohol on Friday, October 2 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 in Berwick and allegedly stole over $8000 in cash and assaulted a staff member at about 9.46pm.
Police allege the group 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 at about 11.46pm.
Officers sighted the Prado on Narre Warren Road, Cranbourne around 4.12am on Saturday.
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 fled on foot, and with the assistance of the Dog Squad, two of the offenders were 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, was taken into custody, where he was interviewed by investigators.
They have since been charged with several offences, including armed robbery, three counts of robbery, four counts of aggravated burglary, four counts of theft, false imprisonment, attempted armed robbery, attempted aggravated burglary, criminal damage and unlawful assault.
The 14-year-old boy faced a children’s court where he was remanded in custody to appear at a later date.
The 17-year-old boy will appear at a children’s court later today.
Investigations continue into the incidents.
The whereabouts of the third offender and if anyone else was involved remains unknown.
Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
