Police have disrupted a likely gang confrontation in Watergardens overnight, arresting three people and seizing numerous weapons, including machetes, knives, batons, and an imitation firearm.
Detectives from Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit and local police were called to the local shopping centre at around 5pm last night, following reports of a group of 12 youths causing a disturbance.
Upon police arrival, each of the 12 youths were searched, with two found in possession of a machete and knife respectively.
As a result, a 15-year-old boy from Deer Park and a 14-year-old boy from St Albans were arrested and interviewed regarding possessing a prohibited weapon. Both are expected to be charged on summons.
A further four machetes and a tactical knife were located hidden in nearby bushes. Shopping centre security also located another machete.
Shortly after these searches, police conducted a further patrol around the shopping centre, locating two more groups of youths in a Mazda CX7 wagon and a Ford Falcon sedan.
Police located an imitation firearm under the driver’s seat of the Ford Falcon sedan, arresting the 19-year-old male driver from Kings Park. He was released pending summons and will be charged with related weapons offences.
A further four machetes, three knives, an extendable baton, and a box cutter were located in the Mazda CX7 wagon.
One of the occupants of this vehicle, a 16-year-old girl from Brookfield was arrested on whereabouts and charged in connection to a previous armed robbery. She was summonsed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
Overall police seized:
• Nine machetes
• Five knives
• One extendable baton
• One box cutter
• One imitation firearm
The police investigation into this incident remains ongoing.
Victoria Police continues to relentlessly pursue those connected to youth gangs as part of Operation Alliance.
In the twelve months to the end of March 2023, Operation Alliance has led to the arrest of 448 known youth gang members a combined 1,422 times.
Since Operation Alliance commenced in September 2020, the number of known Victorian youth gang members on Victoria Police’s watchlist has decreased from 747 to 625.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to report it to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Superintendent Michael Cruse, Brimbank and Melton
“Police understand the concern generated when gang violence occurs and our commitment to the community is to continue to make life as difficult as possible for those seeking to commit serious and violent crime.
“In the past year alone, Operation Alliance has led to the arrest of 448 youth gang members a combined 1,422 times, resulting in almost 3,200 charges being laid.
“As part of Alliance, we are regularly knocking on the doors of youth gang members for bail compliance checks, saturating locations where we know they frequent and are likely to offend and gathering further intelligence on their activities and their associates.
“There are absolutely no winners when it comes to knife violence – those involved will either end up in prison, or in hospital with severe and life changing injuries, or worse.”
