Teenager charged following Pakenham home invasion

Detectives the Armed Crime Squad have charged a male as part of their investigation into a home invasion where shots were fired in Pakenham earlier this month.

A 17-year-old boy from the Wyndham area was arrested shortly after 10.30am on 12 May.

He has since been charged with aggravated home invasion, assault with a firearm, reckless conduct endanger life, prohibited person possess firearm, theft of motor vehicle and criminal damage by fire.

The male will appear at a children’s court at a later date.

The charges follow an incident where police were called to reports of an aggravated home invasion where a firearm was discharged at a Corvara Way residence shortly before 6am on 2 May.

Police have been told two males forced their way into the home and confronted one of the residents.

It will be alleged a firearm was discharged by one of the males during the incident, before the pair fled the scene.

The resident, along with several other people home at the time, were not physically injured during the incident.

The incident is being treated as linked to those currently under investigation by Operation Eclipse.

Operation Eclipse commenced on 27 April to target serious and organised crime syndicate/s believed to be involved in a series of offending linked to hospitality venues, as well as determining the motive for these attacks.

Investigations continue into the series of attacks on licensed venues with at least 44 arrests made to date and hundreds of charges laid.

The operation, led by specialist detectives including the Gang Crime Squad and Arson and Explosives Squad continues to work closely with local police, in particular regional detectives who continue to respond to and investigate these incidents.

The specialist resources in Operation Eclipse will focus on the organisers and those pulling the strings

Investigators are continuing to look at all possible motivations behind the offending including who is involved and why.

Police remain open to a range of possibilities, and we encourage anyone with any information to come forward.

Police continue to have an increased presence in both an overt and a covert capacity throughout these entertainment precincts, including increased patrols of these areas and visits to licensed premises.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Media Unit

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