Teen accused of kidnapping girl, 5, linked to youth jail riot
UPDATE: A TEENAGER accused of kidnapping a little girl in the back of a stolen BMW has been linked to a riot in a youth jail, where WorkSafe inspectors are meeting today.
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A TEENAGER accused of kidnapping a little girl in the back of a stolen BMW has been linked to a riot in a youth jail.
The Herald Sun understands that the 18-year-old was among a group alleged to have been armed with a metal bar and “shivs” — makeshift knives — during an outburst at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre on Monday.
Worksafe inspectors are at the youth jail today following a spate of violent incidents there this week.
Inspectors are meeting with management and workers at the centre to determine whether a formal investigation will be required.
The Monday riot was one of a number of violent incidents at the centre this week.
On Sunday, a female worker was struck as she tried to break up a scuffle between two men.
On Monday, 11 men bashed another young man, who was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The Department of Health and Human Services said he hadn’t been badly hurt.
Workers have told the Herald Sun they feel powerless to stop young men who are “out of control” and they fear someone will die if more is not done to tighten security.
Monday’s riot came just four days after the teenager accused of stealing the BMW was taken into custody. He now faces charges including child stealing and kidnapping.
Early last Thursday, a BMW with a five-year-old girl sitting in the back seat was stolen, leading to a huge manhunt.
The child was driven 40km from her Wyndham Vale home before she was rescued after the stolen car was dumped in Norlane.
The 18-year-old was expected to face court on Thursday.
Malmsbury workers have reported that on Monday morning, four youths in the admissions unit barricaded themselves in a kitchen, smashing property and threatening staff.
Three were armed with sharpened metal rails from inside kitchen drawers, witnesses told the Herald Sun.
“They threatened staff over two to three hours … they smashed everything,” one said.
“He (the 18-year-old) was walking around with a big metal pole, a volleyball net pole, and threatening staff.
“Then he armed up with a metal blade (and) he was sharpening it up.”
Those involved in the riot were placed in isolation.
The department said the kitchen was damaged, and the four then headed to an exercise yard, where staff negotiated an end to the situation.
It said police had been notified of all three incidents.
Victoria Police’s Leonie Johnson said police had been called to reports of an assault at Malmsbury on Monday.
Another man, 19, now faces assault-related charges.