Four arrested following string of armed robberies

Police have arrested four people following a string of robberies across Melbourne this week.

The quartet were arrested and will be interviewed in relation to 11 incidents on 23 September, including:

• armed robberies at a supermarket on Lyall Road in Berwick, and fast-food outlets on Cranbourne-Frankston Road in Cranbourne West, Jamieson Street in Cheltenham and Nepean Highway in Elsternwick

• attempted armed robberies at a shopping centre carpark on O’Shea Road in Berwick and fast-food outlets on Matterhorn Drive in Clyde North and on Burke Road in Camberwell

• carjackings on Janet Brown Drive in Beaconsfield and Cardinia Road in Officer

• robberies at a shopping centre on William Thwaites Boulevard in Cranbourne North and on Turner Road in Highett

They will also be interviewed in relation to five incidents on 24 September, including an attempted armed robbery at a fast-food outlet on Spring Road in Mulgrave, and armed robberies at:

• a fast-food restaurant on Glen Huntly Road in Caulfield South about 10pm

• a café on North Road in Ormond about 10.15pm

• a restaurant on Centre Road in Clarinda just after 10.30pm

• a fast-food restaurant on First Street in Clayton South about 10.50pm

There were no physical injuries at any of the incidents.

The arrests come after a stolen Mazda SUV was spotted near the intersection of Thompsons and Berwick-Cranbourne roads about 3am this morning.

The vehicle was followed to Bells Road in Clyde North where stop sticks were successfully deployed.

Two occupants, a 14-year-old boy from the Port Phillip area and 14-year-old girl from the Cardinia area, were arrested after the vehicle lost control and crashed.

They were both transported to hospital for observation and remain under police guard.

A further two 14-year-old boys, from the Mornington Peninsula and Port Phillip area respectively, fled the scene but were later arrested.

The Mazda was stolen in St Helena on 20 September.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

John McLaughlan

Media Unit
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