Teens Charged Over String of Bag Snatches Targeting Melbourne Women

Three males, including two 16-year-old boys and an 18-year-old man, have been charged in connection with a string of bag snatches and other offences in Melbourne's south-east.

Police allege the group targeted mostly lone women in a series of robberies, and the accused will face court on several charges. However, detectives are continuing to investigate the robberies and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The investigation began after a number of incidents were reported, including 21 alleged offences committed by the group last week. These incidents include home invasions, petrol drive-offs, and the theft of two cars from outside a Glen Waverley gym on September 21.

According to police, the stolen vehicles were driven around Melbourne's bayside and south-eastern suburbs, where mostly women were targeted in a number of robberies. One incident involved a 64-year-old woman being dragged by several offenders and having her groceries stolen while waiting at traffic lights outside Chadstone Shopping Centre around 7:45pm.

In another incident, a woman was punched in the face and had her designer purse stolen at the same shopping centre. A short time later, a woman was shoved to the ground and had her bag stolen on the Princes Highway in Clayton.

The group also allegedly stole a woman's handbag as she left a hairdresser on Bluff Road in Highett, and chased a male worker at a convenience store on Bluff Road in Black Rock, armed with a machete, before stealing cash.

Police are also investigating whether the same group snatched a bag from a 54-year-old woman near the intersection of Bluff and Highett roads in Highett earlier in the day, and stole a 74-year-old woman's bag as she walked along Beach Road in Beaumaris a day earlier.

An 18-year-old from Springvale has been remanded in custody on a series of charges, including aggravated burglary, car theft, and theft. One of the 16-year-olds has been released on bail after being charged with car theft and handling stolen goods, while the other remained in custody on a string of charges.

Police say no-one has been charged in some of the robberies, and they continue to appeal to anyone who witnessed the incidents or has footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.