By Shelby Brooks
Good Friday turned out to be a bad day for crime in Pakenham, after two separate incidents occurred involving allegedly stolen vehicles.
The first saw five teenagers charged by police following an alleged crime spree across multiple suburbs of Melbourne on 7 April.
It’s alleged the group were involved in the theft of two motor vehicles in Kooyong as well as criminal damage of windows and vehicles at a Brighton East property.
It’s alleged the group were also involved in armed robberies across Knox.
The group was arrested in the allegedly stolen Audi in Pakenham just after 3pm
Witnesses reported the Audi screeching to a halt on Thwaites Road, before it was surrounded by three or four unmarked police cars.
Officers jumped out and started shouting for the occupants to exit.
The couple who witnessed the event said the driver’s side door flew open and a balaclava-clad person made a dash down the street towards them.
Worried for their safety, the couple hid in a neighbour’s front yard.
The stolen BMW and its occupants remain outstanding.
A 13-year-old Dandenong boy has been charged with aggravated burglary, two counts of theft of motor vehicle, attempted armed robbery and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.
A 14-year-old Catani boy has been charged with dangerous driving while being pursued by police, two counts of theft of motor vehicle and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.
A 15-year-old Springvale South boy has been charged with attempted car-jacking and theft of motor vehicle.
Those three boys have been remanded to face a children’s court at a later date.
A 15-year-old Dandenong boy and 16-year-old Hallam girl have been charged with theft of motor vehicle.
Those two teenagers have been bailed to appear in a children’s court at a later date.
At a similar time, three adults were arrested following a different pursuit through Pakenham on 7 April.
Officers responded to reports a black Audi sedan with no registration plates allegedly driving erratically on Cardinia Road, just after 3.15pm.
Police spotted the vehicle and attempted to incept it, but it’s alleged the car didn’t stop and took off at a fast rate of speed.
With assistance from the Air Wing, police followed the vehicle through a number of streets in Pakenham.
Stop-sticks were deployed on Duncan Drive, successfully puncturing all four tyres.
It’s believed that the car continued to drive with flat wheels for a short distance when it finally came to a stop in The Parkway.
A 25-year-old man from Ringwood, a 31-year-old Hampton Park man and a 24-year-old Malvern East woman were arrested at the scene.
They were all taken to hospital after falling ill.
Investigations remain ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the incidents, has dashcam footage or with information that could assist police with their enquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
