MELBOURNE, VIC. — Southern Metro Region Crime Squad detectives have charged three teens as part of their investigation into a series of robberies, armed robberies, aggravated burglaries, petrol drive-offs and other offences allegedly committed by a group of youths last week.
Yesterday, investigators executed three search warrants at a property in Springvale and two properties in the Greater Dandenong area, arresting two 16-year-old boys and an 18-year-old man.
The 18-year-old Springvale man was charged with three counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of theft of motor vehicle, attempted aggravated burglary, attempted theft, burglary and theft.
He was remanded to appear before Dandenong Magistrates’ Court today.
The 16-year-old boy from the Greater Dandenong area was charged with two counts each of theft of motor vehicle, theft and handling stolen goods.
He was bailed to appear before a children’s court at a later date.
The second 16-year-old boy from the Greater Dandenong area was charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of theft of motor vehicle, attempted theft, burglary, theft and two counts of committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
He was also remanded to appear at a children’s court later today.
The arrests follow a series of 21 offences allegedly committed by a group of youths last week.
It is alleged that several teenagers stole two vehicles, a white 2026 Haval Jolion and a black 2017 Honda Odyssey, from outside a Glen Waverley gym at about 5pm on Monday, September 21.
The group are then alleged to have used these vehicles to rob mostly lone women across Melbourne’s bayside and south-eastern suburbs, including four on Thursday night, September 24:
- About 7.45pm a 64-year-old woman was allegedly dragged by several offenders and had her groceries stolen while waiting at traffic lights outside Chadstone Shopping Centre;
- A short time later, a woman was allegedly punched in the face and had her designer purse stolen outside Chadstone Shopping Centre;
- About 8pm, a woman was allegedly shoved to the ground and had her bag stolen on the Princes Highway in Clayton;
- At about 8.10pm, a woman allegedly had her handbag stolen as she left a hairdresser on Bluff Road in Highett; and
- At about 8.40pm, the offenders were loitering at a convenience store on Bluff Road in Black Rock, before allegedly chasing a male staff member with a machete before stealing cash. The victim was not physically injured.
In earlier incidents, a 74-year-old woman allegedly had her bag snatched while walking along Beach Road in Beaumaris on September 23.
The following day, a 54-year-old Highett woman’s bag was allegedly stolen while she was walking near the intersection of Bluff Road and Highett Road in Highett.
So far, no charges have been laid in relation to the six robberies.
Investigations remain ongoing.
Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
