By Mitchell Clarke
Four girls have been charged with a raft of offences following four alleged assaults across Pakenham over two days.
Police allege the group were responsible for two separate attacks on 13-year-old girls at the Cardinia Road railway station between 3.30pm and 4pm on Monday 23 November.
As reported by the Gazette, the first victim was sitting on the footpath at the railway station at about 3.40pm, when one of the alleged offenders rummaged through her bag and stole an Apple iPhone charger, headphones and portable charger bank.
Just minutes later, the girls attacked another 13-year-old girl, who was walking behind her brother.
The victim’s mother, Shelley, said her daughter had been surrounded by the girls, who threatened to bash and kill her if she didn’t hand over her phone.
“They actually held her while a couple of other girls patted her down and searched for any valuables,” she explained.
The girls then snatched the phone, forced her to unlock it and provide her passcode before fleeing.
It’s then alleged the same four teens struck again a day later, on Tuesday 24 November, threatening a 17-year-old victim near Sandalwood Drive at about 2.50pm.
Police say they assaulted the victim and stole a phone charger.
Almost two hours later, at about 4.40pm, the girls allegedly approached a 13-year-old girl on John Street. This time, the girls reportedly assaulted the victim but fled empty handed.
The alleged two-day crime spree came to an end when the thugs were arrested by officers at Pakenham railway station.
A Victoria Police spokesman said a 14-year-old Pakenham girl and a 15-year-old Melton girl were both charged with three counts of robbery, two counts of attempted robbery, theft, assault and other related offences.
It’s understood the pair, who were reportedly on bail, were also involved in similar alleged incidents at the Cranbourne railway station on 18 November.
The girls were remanded in custody and will appear at a children’s court at a later time.
Meanwhile, two 16-year-old girls, from Brookfield and Hoppers Crossing, were each charged with two counts of robbery, attempted robbery and theft.
They were bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
