Teens facing dozens of charges over suburban crime spree

A 12-year-old boy is among a group youths facing charges over a slew of brazen car thefts in Melbourne’s south east.

A 12-year-old boy who was out on bail for previous offences is among nine youths facing dozens of charges over a slew of brazen car thefts that wreaked havoc across Melbourne’s south east.

Police allege the group of teen boys, several of whom were out on bail, have been involved in almost a dozen car and property thefts in Oakleigh, Keysborough, Dandenong, Toorak, Cheltenham, Clayton, Forest Hill, Keysborough, Malvern and Narre Warren in recent days.

All up, the teens are facing 63 charges.

In that time, the group made off with a Porsche, two Volkswagens and a Suzuki, which have all since been found.

The Southern Metro Region Crime Squad arrested two 13 and 15 year-old boys on Friday after probing a property in Hallam.

The 13-year-old is facing 9 charges, including attempted aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle, affray, unlawful assault, burglary, theft, robbery, failure to answer bail and commit an indictable offender while on bail.

Police charged the 15-year-old boy with aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle, theft and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

Officers early on Thursday morning spotted an overloaded car full of seven teens at the intersection of Kidds Rd and Power Rd in Doveton.

The group tried to flee to a house near Butler St in Eumemmerring before they were all arrested.

The teens face dozens of charges. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie

The seven youths arrested on Thursday were:

A 15-year-old boy charged with theft of motor vehicle, theft, affray and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

A 12-year-old boy facing charges including theft of motor vehicle, affray, robbery, shop theft, and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

A 15-year-old boy charged with theft of motor vehicle, burglary, and shop theft.

A 17-year-old boy charged with theft of motor vehicle, affray, shop theft, and committing an indictable offender while on bail.

A 15-year-old boy charged with theft of motor vehicle, burglary and shop theft, who was released pending summons.

Another 15-year-old boy was also arrested and interviewed by police but was later released pending further inquiries.

An 18-year-old Doveton man was charged with theft of motor vehicle and possessing cannabis.

He was remanded to appear before the Dandenong Magistrates Court on March 3.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said several teens were bailed and were set to front children’s court at later dates.

Police made the string of arrests as part of Operation Bird, an ongoing operation across Melbourne’s southeast that targets car thefts and residential burglaries.