Gang of youths on the run following violent, 10 hour crime spree across Melbourne

A gang is on the run following a violent 10-hour crime spree and string of robberies and assaults across Melbourne’s south and south-east.

It began with an egging in Hampton Park around 5.30pm which quickly escalated.

One of the three male victims was assaulted and robbed.

Over the next 10 hours police believe the same group of people, believed to be teens and aged in their 20s, some described as Caucasian, others African in appearance, were responsible for a number of terrifying crimes ranging from South Yarra to Patterson Lakes.

The incidents include:

• Hampton Park at 5:30pm – Three men were walking on Coral Drive when a white Volkswagen sedan drives past and eggs them. An argument broke out and one of the men was punched in the head. Two men and two women got away in the car with a men’s phone and speaker.
• South Yarra at 12.30am – Two men were approached by a white sedan, before one of the men, 41-year-old is attacked, punched and kicked and his mobile phone, keys and wallet are stolen. He was later hospitalised.
• St Kilda at 1am – Three men attack a 45-year-old man, tackle him, kick and punch him and steal his bag and phone.
• Cheltenham at 1.30am – A group storm a McDonalds wearing masks and demand cash.
• Patterson Lakes at 3.25am – A woman arrived home to find a group of men who threaten her with a machete before they steal her Volkswagen Golf.
• Caulfield at 3.30am – Three men steal a 24-year-old woman’s mobile phone.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Dave Cox told Neil Mitchell they were confident the same group was behind it.

“There’s been a varying description of the ages of the offenders,” he said.

He said the victims were all traumatised, but thankfully no one was seriously injured.

One of the cars seen at some of the incidents was a white Volkswagon, which was stolen from Cranbourne, with the number plates 1FY4HF.

The car stolen from Patterson Lakes was a Volkswagen with the number plates 1BR4MW.

“It’s important we apprehend them as soon as possible,” he said.

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