Teenager fronts children’s court over string of alleged offending across Melbourne

A teenage boy has appeared in the children’s court over a string of alleged offending, including the kidnapping and assault of another child.

A child has fronted court facing 11 charges, including kidnapping and armed robbery, after a spate of alleged offending in February. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

A 15-year-old boy has fronted a children's court over an alleged three-day crime spree across Melbourne

The boy is one of five children who have been charged in relation to alleged kidnapping, robberies and shop thefts in Chadstone, Olinda, Ivanhoe, Richmond and Blackburn in February.

The alleged offending began on February 9, where the group allegedly approached a 15-year-old boy in Chadstone.

They allegedly forced the child into a car and took him to another area where he was allegedly assaulted and mugged.

Police say the group stole the boy’s iPhone X, a Bape brand jacket and multiple pieces of diamond encrusted jewellery.

After the 30 minute alleged kidnapping and assault the child was released, whereafter he called the police.

The boy is one of five co-accused children facing children’s court on serious charges.

Officers also allege the group shoplifted from one liquor store on February 10 in Olinda, where 750ml bottles of scotch and 20 cans of Jack Daniels and Coke were allegedly stolen, and again on a second occasion the following day at Heidelberg Rd in Ivanhoe where an $1000 worth of alcohol was allegedly stolen.

The 15-year-old is also alleged to have been involved with an armed robbery on February 12 at a convenience store on Bridge Rd in Richmond.

Police say a trio allegedly threatened a staff member with a crowbar and a hammer, before stealing an alleged 60 packets of cigarettes, valued at $2500.

It is alleged the three children then attended a supermarket in Salisbury Ave in Blackburn, this time allegedly armed with a baseball bat, where they again threatened a staff member.

Police say the group allegedly stole cigarettes and alcohol.

In court on Wednesday, the boy’s lawyer asked the court for an adjournment, saying they had only just received the full brief, as well as new charges.

The court heard the evidence package was “voluminous in length”, and included new matters yet to be disclosed.

The magistrate adjourned the matter to April 3 for further mention.

The teenager remains on supervised bail.