Police on ambush alert as new menace joins Apex gang
POLICE officers in Melbourne have been warned they are at risk of being lured into ambushes by teen gangs following a recent string of terrifying attacks in the western suburbs.
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POLICE command has warned officers they are at risk of being lured into ambushes following a recent string of terrifying attacks by youths in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
A memo was circulated to Victoria Police members this week expressing concerns about a “deliberate ploy” by groups of teenagers to “lure” officers into backstreets to attack them.
POLICEMAN INJURED, HOME TRASHED AT WILD WERRIBEE PARTY
According to the memo, officers in a patrol car in Tarneit tailing a vehicle driven by a boy as young as 13 saw up to 40 teens of African appearance running towards a laneway.
“Police saw a group of Africans who were being very hostile ... as the vehicle approached Destiny Lane, a group of 30-40 Africans ran towards Destiny Lane,’’ it said.
“It’s believed this was a deliberate ploy to lure police into the laneway, with no escape or exit paths unless they drove through (a) group of people … (where they could be) easily surrounded.’’
Evidence has also emerged of a new street gang, the Menace to Society, which has been linked to a rampage at an Airbnb property in Werribee on Tuesday night.
African teenagers accused of turning the street into a “war zone” are being hunted after trashing the rental home and pelting police with objects outside an out-of-control house party.
Police are yet to make arrests.
Local dad Imtiaz Rahman retreated inside his home with his wife and seven-month-old baby from what he said were warlike scenes.
“They were screaming abuse, swearing and throwing rocks at houses and cars,” Mr Rahman said.
Sources have told the Herald Sun trouble is brewing between rival gangs across the western and eastern suburbs.
The clashes have been linked to the Apex gang, which formed in Melbourne’s southeast and became notorious after the Moomba riots, and new gang MTS.
It is not known whether MTS and Apex are rivals.
But graffiti tags from both gangs were found at the Werribee property.
Rooms were trashed during the wild party in Werribee that only ended when riot police were called in.
Rocks and metal poles were thrown at officers as the out-of-control house party turned violent, with the dried residue from riot police capsicum spray marking walls and blinds.
Neighbours were left traumatised after the gang of thugs left houses and cars in Attunga Grove damaged and a policeman injured.
Police say four girls rented out the house on Airbnb and word spread of an open house during a basketball tournament this week.