Three of five teenagers charged with a series of alleged burglaries and a carjacking in Melbourne’s east have been granted bail after appearing in a children’s court. CCTV footage from a Croydon service station captured masked individuals filling a stolen Range Rover Discovery with cigarettes around 9:30 PM, forcing a female staff member into a supply cupboard during the incident.
The group reportedly targeted another service station before attempting to strike a BP in Bayswater, only to be scared off by a smoke cannon triggered by an employee. Shortly after, police noticed the erratically driven Range Rover, leading to a chase that ended with the vehicle being abandoned in Wantirna.
The teenagers attempted to steal a vehicle but succeeded in a later aggravated carjacking where they threatened a driver with a knife, stealing a Ford Focus. They fled towards Box Hill but were soon pursued by police, who deployed stop sticks. Four teens, aged 13 to 16, were apprehended in Mont Albert North, along with a fifth 15-year-old nearby. One teenager sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.
All five were charged with aggravated carjacking, burglary, and theft, with three being granted bail and two remanded in custody. Notably, three of the accused were already on bail for prior offences.