By ANEEKA SIMONIS
FOUR youths were caught red-handed during a botched stealing spree in Pakenham over the weekend.
An 11-year-old Pakenham boy was the youngest of the four netted by police for stealing from Target, Coles, Woolworths, Big W and Caltex in Main Street on Saturday 11 January.
A 20-year-old Pakenham woman, along with two men aged 18 and 22 from St Kilda, were charged on bail while the 11-year-old was issued with a caution and ordered to take part in youth diversion programs.
“Once kids start in a cycle of crime, they continue to offend. We try to intervene as soon as possible to help prevent them continuing down that path,” Pakenham Senior Sergeant Nathan Prowd said.
