By ANEEKA SIMONIS
NEW crime figures reveal a shock increase in juvenile offending in Cardinia Shire, with thugs as young as 10 responsible for a surge in burglaries and break-in offences disturbing homeowners in the region.
It comes after targeted police units swooped to arrest multiple teens with alleged involvement with the violent south-eastern Apex gang accused of a series of car thefts, aggravated burglaries, home invasions and brawls in recent weeks.
At least 20 teens from across the outer south-east region, including several from Pakenham, have been processed by police in relation to the spate of menacing, violent crimes.
Offenders aged 10-14 committed 57 per cent more burglary and break-ins in Cardinia Shire in 2015, compared with the previous year.
Police statistics show 22 youngsters were caught charged with the crime last year.
However, the majority of burglary and break-ins were committed by older teens aged 15-19, with 33 offenders charged with the crimes in the outer south-eastern municipality during the year.
The figures show a 43 per cent jump in the crime category for the age group compared with offence rates in 2014.
Thefts, including car thefts, were overwhelmingly carried out by offenders aged 15-19.
Youths in the late teen age bracket were charged with 134 theft counts in Cardinia Shire in 2015, up 19 per cent on the 113 recorded charges handed out in the previous year.
Thieves from 20-24 years of age were the second highest age group offender, recording a 39 per cent increase in theft crimes with 82 charges in 2015 compared with 59 in 2014.
Police were unable to confirm how many teens with Apex gang links have been apprehended or charged to date, however previous police reports have revealed multiple teens from Pakenham, Frankston and Dandenong are among those accused.
A 17-year-old Pakenham boy arrested at his home on Wednesday 16 March is an alleged member of the violent, notorious south-eastern gang.
He was remanded charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, one count of intentionally cause injury, four counts of theft of motor vehicle, three counts of theft, one count of handling stolen goods and one count of criminal damage.
Apex gang members are accused of carrying out a series of car thefts and aggravated burglaries between Friday 19 and Saturday 20 February in Beaconsfield, Keysborough, Berwick, Narre Warren South and Wheelers Hill.
The gang has also been linked to riots which took place at Federation Square during the recent Moomba festival on Saturday 12 March.
Star News earlier reported a gang of up to 200 youths from Sudanese, Pacific Islander and Middle Eastern among other ethnic backgrounds were seen hurling cafe chairs as they fought rival gang, Islander 21.
At least one person believed to be involved in the youth gang combat was hospitalised with reported serious injuries.
Dandenong Embona Taskforce is leading investigations into alleged gang violence.
Police in Dandenong have been put on high alert following police shooting threats allegedly made by an Apex gang member.
The threats are thought to directly target a female detective responsible for arresting several members of the gang over recent months.
Anyone with any information in relation to crime in the community is asked to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
