COVID-19 positive teen allegedly attempted Cranbourne East carjacking one week after brutal bashing
An alleged teen carjacker who returned a positive COVID-19 test will remain in an isolated cell at Parkville Youth Justice Centre for two weeks as he recovers from the deadly disease. It comes one week after he was involved in another crime.
South East
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An alleged teen carjacker who landed himself back behind bars one week after he was released on probation has tested positive to COVID-19, a court has heard.
And the 17-year-old will remain in an isolated cell at Parkville Youth Justice Centre for two weeks to quarantine after he was rejected bail.
It comes after the youngster and a co-accused left two Cranbourne East residents terrified after they were allegedly ambushed and screamed at by the duo as they sat in their car parked on the street about 12.30am on July 25.
A children’s court heard the teens allegedly yanked at the car doors and ordered the victims to hand over the keys in an ordeal which lasted less than 10 seconds before the driver was able to speed away.
Police and sniffer dogs were able to track the teens back to the 17-year-old’s address just after 3am where the co-accused was allegedly found with a number of weapons including a pair of scissors stuffed down his underpants.
Magistrate Tony Burns heard the 17-year-old was also allegedly found drunk by police as he exited a stolen Holden sedan parked at a Wantirna address with a number of other youths on July 23.
Officers allegedly uncovered a chequebook in the teen’s bag which was linked to a stolen car from another suburb, as well as cannabis and cigarettes.
Both of the incidents followed a savage bashing in Berwick where the 17-year-old, who was 16 at the time, kicked and punched a man who tried to stop a group of teens from robbing him on July 15.
The victim began wrestling one boy who he managed to place into a headlock before a group of up to three teens, including the 16-year-old, allegedly unleashed the attack until the man let go.
Before releasing the boy on probation on July 16, Magistrate Tony Burns said the teen had “stretched (his probation) tether about as far as it (would) go.”
The boy’s lawyer told the court on Monday his client would “essentially be in confinement” in custody due to his positive COVID-19 diagnosis and that his mother was prepared to have him stay in his room at home to quarantine instead.
But Magistrate Tony Burns did not give the accused teen a second chance.
“It’s troubling he’s offended so soon after being released at this court,” he said.
“Those people were sitting in their car minding their own business and two young people have approached them … it would be terrifying.
“You can’t use force or fear in an attempt to steal a car.”
The boy, charged with attempted carjacking, was denied bail and will reappear on August 4.
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
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