Four charged following string of armed robberies across Melbourne

Police have charged four teenagers following a string of alleged robberies across Melbourne this week.

The four were arrested and interviewed in relation to 11 alleged 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 were also interviewed in relation to a further five alleged 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 an allegedly 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 under police guard and have since been interviewed by detectives.

The 14-year-old boy from the Port Phillip area was charged with:

• Robbery
• Armed Robbery x5,
• Aggravated burglary (offensive weapon)
• Attempted armed robbery x2,
• Theft of motor vehicle x2
• Commit indictable offence whilst on bail
• Dangerous driving while being pursued by police
• Unlicensed driving
• Theft from motor vehicle
• Deal property suspected proceeds of crime
  
  

The 14-year-old girl from the Cardinia area was charged with:

• Armed robbery x4
• Attempted armed robbery
• Theft of motor vehicle
• Theft from motor vehicle
• Commit indictable offence whilst on bail

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

The 14-year-old from the Mornington Peninsula was charged with:

• Robbery
• Armed robbery
• Aggravated burglary (offensive weapon)
• Attempted armed robbery
• Theft of motor vehicle
• Commit indictable offence whilst on bail
  
  

The 14-year-old boy from the Port Phillip area was charged with robbery and theft of motor vehicle.

They were all presented to a children’s court where they were remanded in custody.

The Mazda was allegedly stolen in St Helena on 20 September.

Media Unit
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