Teen gangs targeting electronics stores ‘almost every weekend’
Boys as young as 14 have been arrested in connection to a series of terrifying attacks on electronic stores across Melbourne. “Swarming” offences have become so common, a special taskforce has been set up in a bid to target the frightening behaviour.
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Gangs of teens are terrorising electronics stores across the state in increasingly prevalent ‘rip and run’ style mobile phone thefts.
Terrified workers told the Sunday Herald Sun groups of teens raid phone stores such as JB Hi-Fi almost every weekend.
Retail workers and security guards are advised by managers to step aside and let the youths rip the display phones off their cords and walk out with the expensive goods.
Smartphones are the hottest items, with iPhones leading the way as the top targeted model.
The ‘swarming’ offence has become so common a special Victoria Police taskforce has been set up to target would-be offenders.
Four boys, two aged 14, and a 16 and 15-year-old, were arrested in raids on their homes in Melbourne’s western suburbs on Friday.
The teens have been charged with more than 16 theft offences related to alleged hits on electronics and telecommunication stores between June 21 and July 9.
They allegedly targeted stores in Thomastown, Sunshine, Airport West, Prahran, Brunswick and Altona North.
A senior manager at JB Hi-Fi told the Sunday Herald Sun hits on stores in Geelong, Werribee, Altona, Hoppers Crossing and Sunshine were becoming increasingly frequent over the past year.
“They (security and staff) are told to get away, stay back and let them do it,” the senior employee said.
“It is believed some of these individuals are carrying weapons.
“Everyone just has to keep a safe distance, let them do it and get out as soon as they can.”
The manager said the groups were almost always comprised of between four and six teens of African appearance.
But it’s not just retail staff who are being hit, as retailers pass on the costs of lost revenue to honest customers.
“Crime and theft costs dollars that has to be added back onto the cost products for consumers,” Australian Retailers Association’s Russell Zimmerman said.
“The honest people have to bear the cost of these crimes.”
The retail executive wants to see police and government take a harder line on the young criminals terrorising staff.
“We’re about one crime away from someone being stabbed or worse,” he said.
“It’s gang-related crime and it’s just using their superior muscle, as well as the number of people doing it.
“We need the government to start looking at this more seriously.”
Some retailers have taken to displaying only non-functioning display phones.
Victoria Police is now working directly with retailers, addressing security issues and implementing crime prevention measures, to stop the scourge.
Taskforce Liega, led by Commander Tim Hansen, is being established this week.
Mr Hansen said the special taskforce will ensure there is a swifter response to such crimes.
“We recognise that this type of offending creates fear in the community and risks the safety of the employees,” Mr Hansen said.
“Taskforce Liega will assist us in identifying offending patterns and deploying detectives earlier so as to ensure a quicker apprehension of the offenders.”
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Regional crime squads are also sharing information and intelligence in order to identify any patterns in the offending and quickly apprehend offenders who may be travelling across the city or into regional areas to commit these crimes.
Cameron Trainor, Managing Director of JB Hi-Fi, said staff and customer welfare was top priority.
“We have been and currently are continuing to work very closely with police and shopping centre security where appropriate around these issues,” he said.
Victoria Police’s business advice includes instructions for staff to make no attempt to apprehend the criminals and instead call triple-0.