Video: Teen thugs armed with stun guns threaten victims
YOUNG thugs are arming themselves with stun guns to commit violent crimes, as a shocking video has emerged. WATCH THE VIDEO
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YOUNG thugs are arming themselves with stun guns to commit violent crimes, as a shocking video has emerged.
Police have investigated a series of robberies where African youths on pushbikes allegedly threatened to zap people with the weapons.
The Herald Sun can reveal the group has been reported over a string of street robberies and thefts using stun guns, including that of a clothing store, within the past three weeks.
Four teens were charged over the Chapel St, South Yarra thefts, which occurred on March 11.
The stun gun was not recovered, police say.
One day later, footage was uploaded to social media of African youths being chased with a weapon in an apparent prank on March 12.
The Facebook video depicts the youths being threatened with what appears to be a live stun gun. It shows the camera operator with the weapon in hand, running at and attempting to shock youths in a large carpark.
The footage was posted to an account linked to a 16-year-old boy, who has been associated with the Apex gang.
An associate who commented on the video, which received more than 1200 “likes”, labelled the weapon as “weak”.
He then claimed to have a stun gun powered at five million volts. The 16-year-old linked to the Facebook video has faced a string of criminal charges for violence and theft, including affray at the Moomba riots and threats to kill.
He will face a children’s court on April 6 over threats to kill and intentionally damaging property charges. Last year, the teen was charged with unlawful assault and attempted armed robbery after a group of up to seven African youths allegedly assaulted a passenger on a tram with a large rock.
He was also charged with theft of a motor vehicle after a woman on her mobile phone was approached by up to four young males who allegedly stole her Mitsubishi Magna.
In 2015 — when he was just 15 years old — he faced charges including armed robbery and threats to kill.
It is believed prohibited stun guns are being brought into Australia by travellers from overseas or purchased online and sent through the mail. Victoria Police spokeswoman Sara-Jane Hooper said it was illegal to possess a stun gun unless approved by the Chief Commissioner.
“Any unauthorised possession of prohibited weapons is of concern to Victoria Police as these items present a danger to the community,” she said.
— Anyone with information of illegal stun guns being sold or possessed should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppersvic.com.au.