Thirteen teenagers, including some as young as 14, have been arrested in relation to a ‘traumatic’ carjacking overnight.
A caller to 3AW today said a BMW four wheel drive belonging to his sister and husband was stolen following a late night altercation involving up to five youths at a St Albans property.
The caller, who wanted to be known as “Tim” said his sister, her husband and their 12-year-old daughter were ‘boxed’ in by a group of youths in another car as they pulled into their driveway.
Tim said the group started “yelling and screaming” at the family, while several youths grabbed the husband and the mother while making threats to kill.
He said the entire ordeal occurred over several frightening minutes.
“This is getting out of hand, this is ridiculous,” he told 3AW.
“They were screaming in the streets, my niece and my sister … I’m surprised no one heard anything.
“This shouldn’t happen in our neighbourhood, we’re being terrorised.
“I just feel sorry for my 12 year old niece, she’s traumatised, she’s too scared to stay in the house now.”
Police confirmed there was an incident in George Street at 11.30pm last night.
A Victoria Police spokesman said 13 teenagers had been arrested in relation to the theft of motor vehicles and robbery.
The arrested group includes a 17-year-old boy from Cairnlea and a 14-year-old boy from St Albans.
Two 17-year-old boys, a 16-year-old girl, a 16-year-old boy, a 15-year-old boy and a 13-year old boy, all from Brookfield have been arrested.
A 13 year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl from Melton West, a 15-year-old boy from Melton West, a 14-year-old Kurunjang boy, a 17-year-old Cairnlea boy, a 14-year-old St Albans boy, and a 14-year-old girl from an unknown suburb have also been arrested.
The arrests are a part of Operation Cosmas, set up to prevent and investigate aggravated burglaries and carjackings.
Police say since the operation started in May, there have been more than 75 arrests made.
