A Croydon teen was among five arrested following a kidnapping and series of robberies and shop thefts across Ashwood, Olinda, Ivanhoe, Richmond, Blackburn, and Springvale.
Eastern Region Crime Squad investigated the offending that began on 9 February after a 15-year-old boy was approached by a group of youths on Power Avenue in Ashwood.
The child was forced into a vehicle and driven from the area where he was assaulted and had personal property stolen. The victim was released from the vehicle after 30 minutes and reported the incident to police.
Police will allege the same group of offenders carried out two separate liquor store thefts on 10 and 11 February on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road in Olinda and Heidelberg Road in Ivanhoe respectively.
The offending continued until 14 February before police arrested three of the teens. Two more were arrested on Thursday 15 February.
A 15-year-old Croydon boy was charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, shopsteal and handle stolen goods. He was bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
Anyone with information on the location of the vehicle is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
