TWELVE teens have been arrested over an alleged crime rampage involving armed robberies, burglaries and assault across the western suburbs.
Footscray Crime Investigation Unit detectives have so far laid 75 charges against ten individuals stemming from the alleged two-week crime spree.
Ten males and two females aged 14 to 19 were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday over a number of alleged armed robberies, thefts, burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, high-speed pursuits, and assault of a police dog.
The alleged offences occurred in Laverton, Maribyrnong, Sunshine, Avondale Heights, Braybrook, Hoppers Crossing, Ravenhall, Footscray, Maidstone and Melton.
Tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen goods were recovered from a number of western suburbs homes after police executed a series of search warrants.Those arrested include:
• A 15-year-old Derrimut girl charged with theft of motor vehicle and burglary (bailed);
• A 14-year-old Sunshine West boy charged with theft of motor vehicle, burglary and armed robbery (remanded);
• A 19-year-old Derrimut man charged with burglary and theft of motor vehicle (bailed);
• A 16-year-old Melton boy charged with burglary, theft of motor vehicle and armed robbery (remanded);
• A 16-year-old Albanvale boy charged with burglary and theft of motor vehicle (bailed);
• A 14-year-old Moonee Ponds boy charged with theft of motor vehicle, burglary and armed robbery (remanded);
• An 18-year-old Caroline Springs man charged with theft of motor vehicle, burglary and armed robbery (remanded);
• A 16-year-old Point Cook boy charged with theft of motor vehicle, burglary and armed robbery (remanded);
• A 16-year-old Caroline Springs boy charged with theft of motor vehicle, burglary and traffic offences;
• A 15-year-old Maidstone girl charged with theft of motor vehicle (bailed);
• A 15-year-old Deer Park boy was arrested but released without charge;
• A 15-year-old Sunshine West boy was arrested but is currently in hospital awaiting a police interview following the alleged assault of a police dog.
A number of those arrested appeared before a children’s court and Sunshine Magistrate’s Court.
Maribyrnong Local Area Commander Inspector Tony Long said the arrests were the result of strong collaborative work between a number of local police units.
“Police from Footscray, Wyndham, the Dog squad and other specialised police units have all been involved in this investigation in order to achieve this significant outcome,” he said.
The police investigation into the alleged crime wave is continuing, with further charges pending.
