CHILDREN aged 12-16 were involved in an extensive crime rampage that could cost hundreds of thousands in damages to vehicle owners and shopkeepers last Wednesday night (2 December).
Over ten hours – from 7.45pm-5am – the group of six:
Stole keys to a Ford Territory from change rooms at Peninsula Aquatic Centre before driving off and, at 10.40pm, attempted to break in to the victim’s Frankston South house but were disturbed and fled;
- Attempted two aggravated burglaries in Mt Eliza, one at Summerhill Cres, 10.45pm, where an elderly man was threatened with a garden stake and told to hand over car keys and cash, but refused, and the second, in Archer Cl, 11.10pm, where they took a garage remote control from a car in the driveway, entered the house and stole a wallet and keys to a BMW and headed towards Frankston North;
- Used the victim’s credit cards to buy food and petrol at a McDonald’s in Cranbourne and a BP service station in Berwick;
- Drove in convoy on a ram-raid spree in which the Ford Territory was reversed into a pizza shop in Clyde North, smashing the plate-glass window and stealing petty cash;
- Attempted to enter a Cranbourne bakery but were refused entry, then using the Territory to extensively damage the baker’s car, parked outside;
- Used the Territory to ram through the window of a Cranbourne liquor outlet, activating the alarm and fleeing;
- Rammed the window of a Langwarrin pizza shop, causing extensive damage to the front of the business;
- Attempted to rob a Cranbourne West Subway store, but were unsuccessful;
- Further along the same road, in Langwarrin, reversed the Territory into a coffee shop and pizza shop, taking out the doors and the window frames. Inside they stole petty cash – and a gelato;
- Rammed the front window of a Chinese restaurant in Frankston, stealing a bottle of water;
- Again used the Territory to smash through the front windows of the Hogsbreath Café, Karingal, stealing a small amount of cash and alcohol;
- Collided with a taxi in Frankston and dumped the Territory in Delacombe Park.
Five offenders aged 12-16 were arrested over the next two days, 26-27 November. All are from Frankston. A sixth, 15, was arrested in Cranbourne on Sunday.
Detective Sergeant Paul Mealia, of Frankston CIU, said they boys had been charged with a range of offences, with the 15 and 16 year olds regarded as the main offenders.
The 15 year old was charged with multiple counts of armed robbery, aggravated burglary, criminal damage, burglary, theft, obtaining property by deception and unlicensed driving.
The 16 year old was charged with multiple counts of aggravated burglary, burglary, attempted theft and theft of a motor car, deceptions, theft, unlicensed driving and criminal damage.
They will appear at children’s court at a later date.
The others – who may or may not have been in the cars for the whole time – have been charged with related offences.
The BMW was later found extensively damaged in Cranbourne North. Its theft – and the subsequent valiant attempt by its owner’s partner to chase it down – received airtime on radio 3AW Friday morning.
Despite passing several patrol cars at speed – and with the victim’s partner driving behind it and pleading for assistance via radio – police were obliged to obey their contentious no-pursuit policy.
Frankston police Superintendent Glenn Weir defended their inaction, saying lives were placed at risk by chasing offenders, who may be unlicensed and have no driving experience.
