Southern Metro Region Crime Squad detectives have charged a fourth teenager and laid several further charges to another 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 month.
On Thursday 15 October, investigators executed a search warrant at a property in the Melton area, arresting a 15-year-old boy.
He was charged with aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle (x2), theft (x5) and robbery (x2).
The boy was remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
Yesterday, detectives arrested a 16-year-old boy from the Greater Dandenong area.
He has charged with aggravated robbery (x7), attempted robbery (x2), aggravated burglary and theft (x2).
He appeared at a children’s court yesterday afternoon.
The arrests follow a series of 21 offences allegedly committed by a group of youths last month.
It is alleged several teenagers stole two vehicles, a white 2026 Haval Jolion and a black 2017 Honda Odyssey, from outside a Glen Waverley gym about 5pm on Monday 21 September.
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, 24 September:
- 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
- About 8.10pm a woman allegedly had her handbag stolen as she left a hairdresser on Bluff Road in Highett
- 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 23 September.
As part of the investigation, earlier this month detectives arrested and charged an 18-year-old Springvale man as well as two 16-year-old boys from the Greater Dandenong area.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, with footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
