Stonnington Crime Investigation Unit detectives have arrested a man and a woman following a string of violent home invasions and armed robberies across the southeastern suburbs over the weekend.
The pair were arrested at Ringwood railway station on Sunday evening around 5.30pm following an active search to find the duo after a home invasion where a car was stolen, in Brougham Street, Kew about 4.30pm.
The incident in Kew, where it is alleged a 77-year-old woman was confronted and assaulted by the pair and struck with a machete, was the last in a series of incidents since Friday.
The series of incidents include:
• An alleged aggravated burglary in York Street Prahran on Friday 21 February where a victim was threatened with a machete and a Subaru Impreza was stolen about 1pm.
• Another alleged aggravated burglary in Lake View Boulevard in Keysborough about six hours later. During this incident a 73-year-old man was slashed to the face with a machete about 7.40pm.
• An incident where it is alleged a woman was cut to the hand while vacuuming her car at a Bay Road carwash in Cheltenham on Saturday 22 February about 11.10am.
• Two further incidents on Saturday: a reported suspicious loiter in Patterson Lakes, and
• An aggravated burglary where a handbag was stolen in Pearce Street in Crib Point. The occupants of the home did not encounter the alleged offenders during this incident.
Patrolling police spotted the wanted vehicle on Saturday in Fitzroy Street in St Kilda about 4.10pm, however the car sped off from police when an attempt was made to intercept it.
Following the home invasion in Kew on Sunday, detectives from Stonnington Crime Investigation Unit quickly responded, and with support from the Air Wing, local police and Protective Service Officers; the 29-year-old Point Cook man and 41-year-old Clayton South woman were arrested.
Both the Subaru and stolen Holden Astra have been recovered by police. Numerous weapons were also located and seized.
The woman has been charged with three counts of home invasion, armed robbery, intentionally cause injury, theft of motor vehicle, obtain property by deception, aggravated burglary and fail to stop on police direction.
She will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates' Bail and Remand Court today.
The man remains in custody and is expected to be interviewed today.
