By ANEEKA SIMONIS
THREE boys were accumulatively charged with at least 12 criminal offences following a series of aggravated burglaries and car thefts in Pakenham, Berwick and Narre Warren South in the past week.
They were questioned over several home intrusions – all when victims were inside the house – including a 4.45am raid at Botanic Drive, Pakenham, home on Saturday 15 July.
All three have been remanded to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.
The boys, aged 15, 15 and 16, all from Pakenham, were slapped with serious criminal charges including aggravated burglary, car theft, handling stolen goods in relation to the Botanic Drive burglary in addition to incidents at Cassandra Court, Berwick and Amhurst Drive, Narre Warren.
Police charged the 16-year-old Pakenham boy with five offences including aggravated burglary, theft of motor car, theft from motor car, theft, handling stolen goods in addition to an unknown number of traffic offences.
A 15-year-old Pakenham boy was charged with aggravated burglary and theft of motor car, theft and driving offences while a second 15-year-old Pakenham boy was charged with aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicle.
The arrests were made by Southern Metropolitan Region Crime Team investigators – a division that is steadily growing as with crime committed by youths across the state, particularly in outer south-east Melbourne.
Police earlier alleged two offenders made their way into the unlocked Botanic Drive, Pakenham, home before sunrise on Saturday 15 July, stealing keys to a 2007 Volkswagen.
Offenders drove the vehicle straight out of the Pakenham garage accompanied by a second vehicle, a black utility.
However, the car was soon recovered in Mansfield Street, Berwick.
