Teen arrested over alleged Jack Daniels thefts, car break-ins, assaults

A teenager has been arrested after he allegedly went on a wild crime spree with an offsider across the eastern suburbs.

Two teens were arrested at Camberwell railway station on September 22 following two alleged thefts and an assault. Picture: Ian Currie

A teenager accused of a string of car break-ins has been arrested after an alleged wild crime spree in Melbourne’s inner east.

Whitehorse detective Senior Constable Maverick Gleed said the teen had been on police’s radar following three alleged night time break-ins to cars in Mitcham and Blackburn last week.

Sen-Constable Gleed said the 18-year-old was accused of breaking into cars in Creek St, Mitcham on September 15, Nara Court, Mitcham on September 17, and Thiele Court, Blackburn on September 18.

The teen allegedly took items including mobile phones, wallets and car keys from the three cars.

Sen-Constable Gleed said the teen and another 16-year-old offsider were in Hawthorn on September 22 and allegedly stole Jack Daniels cans from Hawthorn’s IGA liquor store about 6.50pm.

They then walked down Riversdale Rd and allegedly approached two men in their 30s and punched them 10 minutes later, before hopping onto a tram.

The victims weren’t seriously injured.

Sen-Constable Gleed said the duo were then spotted at Liquorland on Camberwell Grove, where they allegedly stole bottles of Jack Daniels and fled.

They were spotted leaving the store by PSOs at nearby Camberwell railway station and arrested nearby at about 7.30pm.

Sen-Constable Gleed said the 18-year-old was also suspected of being involved in two alleged car thefts in Blackburn on September 6, including a Black BMW and a white Toyota Yaris.

Officers arrested a 30-year-old man of no fixed address in connection with the alleged car thefts in Lysterfield on September 15.

Sen-Constable Gleed said the 18-year-old was charged with 11 alleged offences including aggravated burglary, assault, criminal damage, car thefts and thefts from cars, and committing indictable offences while on bail.

He was remanded to face the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on October 18, while the 16-year-old was charged with alleged theft and bailed to face a children’s court at a later date.