Eight arrested over Melbourne CBD apartment stabbing

Police have arrested eight people in pre-dawn raids over a mass stabbing at a party in Melbourne’s CBD that left multiple people wounded.

Anti-gangs detectives have arrested eight people aged as young as 16 over a mass CBD stabbing which left multiple people wounded.

Those detained in pre-dawn raids this morning were a 19-year-old Langwarrin man, an 18-year-old Dandenong North man, a 20-year-old Cranbourne man, an 18-year-old Clyde North man, an 18-year-old Dandenong North man, a 19-year-old Dandenong man, an 18-year-old Doveton man and a 16-year-old boy.

Officers have searched 11 properties as part of a wide-ranging investigation into the violence at a short-term rental property on Spencer St in the early hours of last Monday.

Properties searched from 6am were in Dandenong, Langwarrin, Berwick, Dandenong North, Cranbourne, Clyde North and Doveton.

“The males will now all be interviewed by police, with a number of serious criminal charges expected to be laid today,” a Victoria Police statement said.

Police from the Melbourne CIU, Melbourne Embona taskforce, Melbourne divisional response unit, Casey CIU, Southern Metro frontline tactical unit and Southern Metro regional crime team were also involved in this morning’s operation.

Police at the scene where eight people were stabbed on Spencer St in Melbourne’s CBD. Picture: Paul Jeffers

The short-term rental property on Spencer St where the stabbing took place. Picture: Paul Jeffers

Police remove evidence from the building on Spencer St in Melbourne’s CBD. Picture: Paul Jeffers

Police were flagged down at Southern Cross railway station by a 19-year-old stabbing victim from Dandenong North at about 2am last Monday.

Investigators found there had been at a party at a short-term rental property which descended into fighting and left him with upper-body injuries.

Five other males suffered wounds described as not life-threatening, among them a 19-year-old Langwarrin man and a 20-year-old Berwick man.

They turned up at a nearby hospital about 3.50am.

Two 17-year-olds from Truganina and a 17-year-old from South Melbourne arrived at a hospital in Werribee in the incident’s aftermath looking for treatment.

The investigation into the matter remains ongoing.

Commander Mick Frewen said the arrests were a great result and his officers would do all they can to hold to account those involved in such violence.

“We understand there is immense public concern when an incident like this occurs, especially in the CBD area that many people travel to regularly and expect to be safe in,” he said.

“However today’s arrests highlight the determination of both the Gang Crime Squad and regional police to ensure those involved are arrested and ultimately put before the court.

“It should also send a strong message that violent offending of this nature will not be tolerated.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au