By BRIDGET COOK
POLICE have charged three Hampton Park teenagers following a crime spree across Casey last week.
The youths have been charged following a string of armed robberies, a robbery and car theft which all occurred on Thursday 7 August from Berwick to Cranbourne.
The first incidents occurred in the Cranbourne area, when members of the gang approached a number of teenagers walking along footpaths.
About 4.25pm, they approached a 17-year-old boy who was walking along LaTrobe Street.
The gang, one of whom was holding a knife, made demands for the victim’s phone and wallet, which he handed over to them before they ran off.
There were also two incidents which occurred along Clarendon Street, around the same time between 4.15pm and 4.35pm.
The first occurred when two students were walking along the footpath and were approached by a car.
Three of the gang got out, one armed with a baseball bat and another with a kitchen knife, and made demands for property.
The two teenagers did not have much on them so the gang left empty handed.
Shortly after, three members of the gang jumped out of car and approached a young man who was also walking along Clarendon Street.
The victim managed to run off and lose their attackers.
About 6.20pm the same day, a man was followed in his car by another vehicle into the public car park at the Casey Hospital, along Kangan Drive in Berwick.
Two of the gang got out of the car, one armed with a knife and the other with a stick, and made demands for the victim’s wallet and car keys.
They then drove off with the victim’s car.
Later that night, about 7.35pm, three of the gang approached a 17-year-old boy walking along a footpath in Elk Street, Cranbourne, and grabbed his mobile phone.
Police arrested three males following the crime spree across Casey.
They also believe they were linked to two armed robberies in the Box Hill area.
The Hampton Park teenagers, aged 16, 17 and 19, were charged with multiple offences including armed robbery, robbery and theft of a motor vehicle.
The youths were remanded in custody to appear at Dandenong Children’s Court and Dandenong Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
