Southern Metro Crime Team detectives have arrested five teens following a series of aggravated burglaries and home invasions throughout the southern and eastern regions.
Investigators believe a series of linked incidents occurred from 3 October to 10 October in a number of locations including Ringwood, Ashburton, Malvern, Hawthorn East, Hawthorn, Clarinda, Mount Waverley, Springvale, Cheltenham, Sandringham, Brighton, Toorak and Shepparton.
The investigation came to a head overnight when officers intercepted an allegedly stolen 2019 Skoda wagon on the Monash Freeway at the Toorak Road exit about 11.35pm.
The car, which had been stolen from an address in Champion Street Brighton earlier in the day, contained four teenage boys and a 18-year-old woman.
The car had allegedly been seen at an aggravated burglary in Booker Street, Cheltenham about 7pm on 10 October and at another aggravated burglary in Harold Street, Sandringham about 8pm where a Toyota Corolla was stolen.
The 15-year-old male driver was arrested without incident but is alleged the other occupants attempted to run from the car before being chased down by police.
A 15-year-old boy from Mooroopna has been charged with 18 offences including aggravated burglary, attempted aggravated burglary, home invasion with an offensive weapon, theft of motor car and other offences. He has been remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
A 14-year-old boy from Mornington has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, attempted theft of motor vehicle, handle stolen goods and commit indictable offence whilst on bail and has been remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
An 18-year-old woman from Ashburton has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, commit indictable offence whilst on bail and contravene bail conditions and has been remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court later today.
A 17-year-old boy from Ferntree Gully has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, possess cannabis and commit indictable offence whilst on bail and has been remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
A 16-year-old Blackburn boy has been charged with theft of motor vehicle and commit indictable offence while on bail and has been remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
Police have a dedicated operation running across the entirety of Melbourne’s south-east targeting vehicle theft and residential burglaries.
As part of this operation, police are actively out and about with regular uniform and covert patrols, intercepting vehicles, checking people and gathering intelligence.
Highway Patrol is also utilising Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology to identify and intercept any vehicles of interest.
No one should feel unsafe in their own homes and local police will continue to do everything in our power to target those seeking to threaten our community members.
Background:
Operation Bird commenced on Thursday 22 September and sees local police working collaboratively with specialist units including the Southern Metro Crime Team, Highway Patrol, Air Wing and Dog Squad to act on real time intelligence in order to identify and apprehend offenders.
As of 10 October, Operation Bird has resulted in over 45 arrests made for offences including reckless conduct endangering life, theft of motor vehicle, theft from motor vehicle, possession of a controlled weapon, trespass, robbery, handling stolen goods, driving while suspended and drug offences.
Victoria Police News – Tuesday 11 October 2022
