Youths charged over armed robberies

Four teens have been arrested and charged following three armed robberies across the west over the weekend.

The alleged crime spree began shortly after midnight on Sunday when four armed offenders entered a convenience store along Synnot Street in Werribee and threatened the attendant before stealing money and cigarettes, fleeing the scene in a stolen car.

It’s believed the offenders then broke into a service station along Little Boundary Road in Laverton just before 1am by smashing the front door with a hammer and then stealing the till.

Ten minutes later, it’s alleged the offenders smashed through the front door of a Ballarat Road service station in Albion, threatening the attendant before stealing money and cigarettes.

Hobsons Bay Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested four youths aged between 15-17 years from Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park following a short pursuit after the third break-in.

Three of the youths have been charged with three counts of armed robbery and two counts of theft of motor car and were remanded to appear at a children’s court.

A fourth youth was charged with three counts of armed robbery, two counts of theft of motor car and engaging in a pursuit with police.