Teens arrested over string of burglaries

Arrests were made on Friday in relation to a string of burglaries that had been happening throughout the area. 137393_09

In recent weeks, businesses in the Pakenham area have been plagued by burglaries, but a thorough police investigation came to a head on Friday morning, with a number of teenagers caught and arrested over several break ins.

Officers from the Cardinia Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) arrested three teenagers on Friday 14 January, one as young as 13 years of age, in relation to a series of commercial business burglaries that had happened throughout the area – including the repeated attacks on Pakenham’s Oven Kraft Cafe and an incident at Marketplace Shopping Centre to name a few.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris O’Brien said that while the investigation remained ongoing (as more teens were believed to be involved), it had been a “good result“ for the CIU considering the situation.

“Friday was a busy day,“ Detective O’Brien said.

“Police made some arrests in relation to that [the Oven Kraft break ins] and a number of other burglaries at commercial businesses.“

In the early hours of Friday morning “with the assistance of the canine unit“, Detective O’Brien said that police had “tracked and located one offender“ who they believe to be involved in the robberies.

That offender had “yet to be spoken to“ by officers in relation to the robberies, as they had “received injuries from a police dog bite“ and were currently recovering.

“Subsequent to that though, throughout the day, three arrests were made in relation to a series of commercial burglaries,“ he explained.

The series of robberies that the group are believed to be involved with range from both large shopping centres to small businesses – but it was a burglary at the BWS Lakeside in Village Way that led police to the culprits.

“There was another burglary at a Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza in Station Street, and there were two arrested in the vicinity of that [business] and a third identified who was arrested later in the day,“ he said.

Two of the teens arrested, aged 13 and 15 years of age, were remanded in custody over the weekend and faced the Childrens’ Court on Monday morning, while the other teen (age unknown) was released pending summons on Friday.

Detective O’Brien said that while it had been a good outcome for the CIU, police “believe there are others involved“ and he urged anyone with information to contact the Pakenham Police Station or Crime Stoppers, on 1800 333 000.