Suspected Apex gang members arrested in Melbourne

POLICE have arrested two suspected members of the Apex gang that has been causing chaos on the streets of Melbourne.

SOG arrests...cnr Heatherton and Stud Roads, Dandenong. Second detainee is questioned and his bag searched. Picture : Mike Keating.

POLICE have arrested two suspected members of the Apex gang that has been causing chaos on the streets of Melbourne.

On Monday afternoon, special operation officers and detectives from Taskforce Tense — the unit established to target the notorious violent gang — made the arrests over a series of alleged car jackings in Melbourne’s south.

Two 18-year-old men, one from Noble Park and one from Dandenong, were arrested by heavily armed officers on a Dandenong street in dramatic scenes just after 2pm.

One of the men was struck by a police vehicle and was taken to hospital with minor injuries, police said.

One of two detained was taken from the scene in an ambulance after being hit by a police car. Picture: Mike Keating.

A police spokeswoman said in a statement: “It is believed the men are affiliated with the Apex gang, alleged to be involved in a recent spate of serious offences including aggravated burglary, car jackings and armed robberies.”

Detectives are continuing to target those involved in “violent gang-related offending seen across suburbs in recent months”.

Heavily armed special operations officers were involved in the dramatic arrests. Picture: Mike Keating

In a firm statement yesterday, Premier Daniel Andrews vowed to “smash” the youth gangs.

Apex and rival gangs have demanded national attention in recent days when havoc descended on Federation Square in Melbourne’s CBD. Hundreds of rioters stormed the area and fought among themselves and with police, terrifying locals and tourists.

Since November, police have arrested more than 30 gang members for crimes including robbery, assault and car theft.