Teens arrested after massive youth gang sting

A sting on youth gangs sparked by a spate of terrifying home invasions has seized dangerous weapons and netted 46 arrests.

Police made dozens of arrests and seized dangerous weapons in a major operation targeting violent youth gangs. Picture: iStock

Police made dozens of arrests and seized dangerous weapons in a major operation targeting violent youth gangs in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Forty-six people, including 11 youths and seven with youth gang affiliations, were arrested during the five-night operation across Wyndham and Brimbank last week.

One alleged offender was caught closing in on a would-be victim of a terrifying robbery.

The 23-year-old Brookfield man, who has links to a violent youth gang, was spotted by police patrolling the Melton area on Friday night.

It’s alleged he was about to steal the victim’s bike and possessions when police intervened.

Another police patrol observed six to eight males scatter as they went to inspect three cars parked at Mossfield Reserve in Hoppers Crossing about 10.20pm on Saturday.

A handful of youths with gang ties were identified at the scene and three large machetes seized.

The arrests were conducted as part of Operation Alliance and involved the Gang Crime Squad, Brimbank Offender Management Team, local detectives, dog squad and air wing.

Superintendent David Jones told the Herald Sun the operation was triggered by a series of recent home invasions committed by youths in the Wyndham area.

Many involved stolen cars which were used to commit more crimes across the western suburbs.

“Crimes against a person are overrepresented in the western suburbs hence why it was such a focus,” Supt Jones said.

“These are the crimes that cause the most harm.”

All 46 people arrested as part of the operation were charged with offences including aggravated burglary, attempted robbery, weapons offences and breach of bail.

Police raided 17 properties and 47 people with known youth gang affiliations were checked by police, in addition to a further 183 offenders.

Police also intercepted 237 cars, impounding six, and issued 39 fines for breaches to the chief health officer’s directions.

Of the 70 bail compliance checks performed, 18 breaches were detected.

Supt Jones said the operation helped protect the community by locking up criminals and deterring others, with no serious offences or car thefts committed in the Wyndham or Brimbank area over the course of the five nights.

“Our work in this area does not stop – we will continue to monitor any persons of interest and regularly perform bail compliance checks, holding them to account,” Supt Jones said.