Two Teenagers Charged Over Series of Armed Robberies in Melbourne’s South-East

Detectives from the Casey Crime Investigation Unit have charged two teenage boys following a series of armed robberies across Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs on Friday, 2 October.

According to Victoria Police, a group travelling in a stolen Toyota Prado and armed with weapons targeted multiple businesses during the evening. Investigators allege the group first entered a liquor store on Cranbourne Road in Narre Warren around 8:15 p.m., taking cash and alcohol. Shortly after, the offenders allegedly stole cash from a tobacco store inside a shopping centre on Thompsons Road in Cranbourne.

Police said the group then went to a fast-food outlet on Kangan Drive in Berwick at approximately 9:46 p.m., where they allegedly assaulted an employee and stole more than $8,000 in cash. Later that evening, the group allegedly attempted an armed robbery at a liquor store on O’Shea Road before carrying out an armed robbery and stealing cash from another liquor store on Camms Road in Cranbourne around 11:46 p.m.

Officers spotted the Toyota Prado on Narre Warren Road in Cranbourne at around 4:12 a.m. on Saturday. Following a pursuit during which stop sticks were deployed, the vehicle came to a stop on the Monash Freeway. Three males fled the vehicle on foot.

With assistance from the Dog Squad, police arrested two suspects. A 17-year-old boy from the Casey area was transported to a hospital for treatment of a dog bite, while a 14-year-old boy, also from the Casey area, was taken into custody for questioning.

Both teenagers have been charged with armed robbery, three counts of robbery, four counts of aggravated burglary, four counts of theft, false imprisonment, attempted armed robbery, attempted aggravated burglary, criminal damage, and unlawful assault.

The 14-year-old appeared before a children's court and was remanded in custody. The 17-year-old was scheduled to face a children's court as well.

Police stated that investigations remain ongoing to locate the third person who fled the vehicle and to determine if others were involved. Authorities have urged anyone with dashcam footage, vision, or relevant information to contact Crime Stoppers.

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