Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit detectives have swooped on seven teenagers, making arrests and laying charges following a series of aggravated burglaries in Melbourne's southeast earlier this week.
Police were called to a report of a home invasion on Yuille Street in Brighton about 3.15am on Tuesday, 24 May.
It is alleged that multiple offenders gained entry to the house and stole personal items before disturbing the occupants and fleeing the scene.
A short time later, multiple offenders allegedly entered a house on Sussex Street in Brighton East at about 3.30am, leaving with personal property.
A further series of alleged thefts from motor vehicles then occurred in the Brighton area.
Police were then called to Chelsea Street in Brighton after a stolen car crashed into a tree about 4am.
One teenage boy was arrested at the scene and the other six were arrested nearby.
Police seized a large kitchen knife and a flick knife during the arrests.
It is alleged the home invasions are linked and police are continuing to investigate other offences in the area.
A 14-year-old Springvale boy has been charged with multiple counts of home invasion, aggravated burglary, theft, attempted aggravated home invasion, theft of motor vehicle, trafficking a drug of dependence, possession of a drug of dependence, dealing with the proceeds of crime and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
A 15-year-old Cranbourne West boy has been charged with multiple counts of home invasion, aggravated burglary, theft, attempted aggravated home invasion, theft from and theft of a motor vehicle.
A 16-year-old Hallam boy has been charged with multiple counts of home invasion, aggravated burglary, theft, attempted aggravated home invasion, theft from motor vehicle, attempted theft of motor vehicle, committing an indictable offence while on bail and the handling of stolen goods.
A 15-year-old Cranbourne North boy has been charged with multiple counts of home invasion, aggravated burglary, attempted aggravated burglary, theft, attempted aggravated home invasion, theft from motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle, possession of a controlled weapon, committing an indicatable offence while on bail and unlicensed driving.
A 15-year-old Doveton boy has been charged with multiple counts of home invasion, aggravated burglary, theft, attempted aggravated home invasion, theft of motor vehicle, theft from motor vehicle, possession of equipment to steal, possession of a controlled weapon and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
A 13-year-old Hallam boy has been charged with home invasion, aggravated burglary, theft, attempted aggravated home invasion, theft from motor vehicle, attempted theft from motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
A 15-year-old Doveton boy has been charged with the possession of a drug of dependence, trespass and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
They will all appear at a children's court at a later date.
The arrests come on the first day of Operation Ibis, with police targeting motor vehicle theft, aggravated burglary, and assault offences in the Glen Eira Bayside area.
As part of the ongoing Operation, local police are working collaboratively with the Crime Investigation Unit, Public Order Response Team, and the Air Wing to act on real time intelligence and stop criminals in their tracks.
Highway Patrol are also utilising Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology to identify any vehicles of interest.
Quotes attributed to Glen Eira Bayside Local Area Commander, Inspector Cath Wilkins:
"Police will use every power and intelligence source we have in order to keep potential offenders from causing harm to our community."
"Operation Ibis has already sent a strong message to anyone seeking to break into people's houses or vehicles with all seven alleged offenders now to face court.
"We want to reassure our residents, that anyone threatening the safety of our community, will be held to account for their actions.
"To assist with deterring youth offenders, we ask homeowners to lock their vehicles, homes and garages and to report any suspicious behaviour or vehicles to police."
