POLICE investigating a robbery spree along the Sydenham train line have charged a 13-year-old boy from St Albans with 40 violent offences, including armed robbery, assault and criminal damage.
Detective Senior Constable Cliff Hyndman, from Brimbank Embona, said the teenager was arrested last week in connection to a string of robberies committed around Keilor Plains, St Albans and Ginifer Railway Stations.
In addition, a 16-year-old male from Keilor Downs and an 18-year-old Taylors Lakes resident were also charged with around 16 offences each, relating to the crime spree.
Brimbank’s Acting Inspector Chris Gilbert said the robberies occurred since mid-June.
“A number of victims had been assaulted to varying degrees of injury,” he said.
“Some were punched, kicked or hit with an object, I think a knife was produced on at least one occasion.”
The two older offenders were arrested when police were called to an Albion gathering of up to 300 young party-goers on Monday 4 July.
Acting Insp Gilbert said “officers identified some of the property on them as linked to an earlier robbery” which led to the arrest.
The two younger suspects were remanded in custody and appeared in the Sunshine Children’s Court last week, while the 18-year-old appeared at the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court.
Police were called to the private party, held at a Carrington Dve function centre, at around 10pm.
Acting Insp Gilbert said officers were dispersing the crowd, most of whom left peacefully, when a fight broke out near the Ballarat Rd-Wasley St corner.
Around half a dozen party-goers also began to throw rocks at the police officers, bruising the arm and the leg of male officer from Sunshine Police Station, according Acting Insp Gilbert.
“Obviously I am very, very disappointed members were having things thrown at them and as the manager of these people I don’t like to see them injured and have their safety put at risk,” he said.
“The guys who have been charged are of an African background, but the party was not an African party.
“I would say it was probably a mix of young people, alcohol and violence, not ethnicity.
“All people at the party were from different backgrounds. It’s Brimbank.”
Acting Insp Gilbert said another two people, a 21-year-old Melton man and 18-year-old Caroline Springs male, were arrested at the party under “breaching the peace” provisions.
Police used capsicum foam at the event and have been investigating whether the fight occurred between gatecrashers or invited guests.
Acting Insp Gilbert said the party’s organisers should have asked police for help to plan the evening, although there were security guards present.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
