Teens face charges over ‘Apex-style’ thefts

By ANEEKA SIMONIS

FOUR alleged criminal heavyweights have been netted by police, who have charged the teens – from Berwick, Doveton and Frankston – with almost 60 offences over Apex-style crimes in the heavy hit south-east region.
The charges relate to a series of offences in Drouin, Longwarry, Dandenong, Keysborough, Narre Warren and Cranbourne North.
Police allege the teens were involved in car thefts in Longwarry and Cranbourne during the week, with two of four stolen cars yet to be located by the investigative taskforce.
A 17-year-old Berwick boy was charged with four counts of aggravated burglary, four counts of theft of a motor vehicle, three counts of theft, burglary, attempted theft of a motor vehicle and failure to stop.
A 16-year-old Berwick girl was charged with three counts of attempted armed robbery, four counts of aggravated burglary, six counts of theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of burglary, attempted theft of a motor vehicle.
Both teens have been remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
A 16-year-old Frankston girl was charged with four counts of aggravated burglary, five counts of theft of a motor vehicle, three counts of theft, burglary and attempted theft of a motor vehicle.
She was bailed by a bail justice to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
The last alleged offender, a19-year-old Doveton man, is expected to front the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 19 July with four counts of aggravated burglary, five counts of theft of a motor vehicle, three counts of theft, attempted theft of a motor vehicle, burglary and failure to stop.
The youths were arrested by a newly formed specialised investigation team, the Southern Metropolitan Regional Crime Team.
Together, the teens attracted 58 criminal charges against them – however, the teens were just four of more than 60 people arrested under the targeted Operation Comas which launched at the start of May.
Police have recorded high levels of Apex-style offending including aggravated burglary, robbery and theft offences, which have seen day and night police patrols ramp up in high risk locations across the south-east.
Police have recovered two of four stolen vehicles. The missing cars are a silver 2010 Holden Captiva (registration XZD-105) and a light-coloured 2004 BMW 381i (registration TEE-085).
Anyone with information about the cars are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au