AN 18-YEAR-OLD Carrum Downs man has been charged with robbery, theft and failing to appear over outstanding warrants after allegedly robbing a youth on a bus in Seaford and then, a week later, forcing another youth to steal jeans for him at a Frankston shopping centre.
The man will appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court, Wednesday 23 August.
Detective Senior Constable Darren Paxton, of Frankston’s Embona Armed Robbery Taskforce, said the offender and three friends boarded the bus with the 17-year-old at Carrum and, en route, requested use of his mobile phone, 7.30pm, Sunday 30 July.
The youth handed over his phone but, when the bus approached his stop on Railway Pd, Seaford, asked for it back.
The offender allegedly refused and said that if the youth didn’t get off he would “shank him”. He then demanded the youth’s backpack which was handed over. The youth later reported the incident to police.
Police allege the same offender coerced a 15-year-old into stealing items of clothing for him at Bayside shopping centre, 4.30pm, Saturday 5 August.
Detective Paxton said the 18-year-old, accompanied by two brothers aged 16 and 17 and a 19-year-old woman, approached the Frankston boy in the food court.
The offender intimidated the boy into agreeing to steal a pair of jeans for him and then walked with him around the store with him to choose a pair. The others waited outside.
The boy did as he was told: stole the jeans and handed them over, but, instead of letting him go, the group walked him to a quiet area and stole his phone, watch, shoes, jacket and backpack containing a spare pair of pants. The boy was given his phone back after the girl intervened.
Detective Paxton said the centre’s CCTV was “helpful in identifying the alleged offenders and apprehending them”.
The 18-year-old was charged with robbery, theft, and a range of outstanding warrants, including failing to appear at court. His 16-year-old accomplice, of Hastings, was charged with robbery, as well as committing various offences while on bail.
These included allegedly assaulting a bus driver in Young St, Frankston, 7.20pm, 18 July. The youth slapped the driver, 45, knocking off his glasses.
He was due to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court but allegedly refused to attend. Detectives have not yet received a new court date.