Six teenagers charged after spate of armed robberies

Melbourne, Australia – Police have arrested and charged six teenagers following an investigation into a string of armed robberies that occurred across Melbourne. The group is alleged to have been involved in stealing a car in Hawthorn on Saturday, July 11, before proceeding to commit multiple armed robberies throughout the day.

Calls were made to police reporting a car driving erratically in the Springvale area shortly after 2 p.m. Prior to this, armed robberies were reported at businesses in Keysborough around 11:30 a.m., Noble Park just before noon, and Moorabbin around 12:30 p.m. During the incident in Moorabbin, a machete was allegedly used to make threats.

The vehicle was tracked by police through various suburbs, including Moorabbin and Keysborough, before heading onto Eastlink and the Monash Freeway. A police vehicle eventually intercepted the allegedly stolen car, boxing it in. Officers then deployed OC spray (capsicum spray) inside the vehicle, leading to the arrest of all six males.

The charged individuals range in age from 13 to 18. One of the males has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear at Dandenong Magistrates' Court at a later date. The remaining five teenagers are due to face the children's court.