Police have charged a pair of teenagers over two alleged break-ins in Melbourne’s inner-east this morning — one of which saw a home owner chase and detain an alleged intruder.
The boys — a 15-year-old from the Boroondara area and a 14-year-old from the Whittlesea area — have each been charged with two counts of aggravated burglary following the alleged incidents on Elphin Grove and Kinkora Road in Hawthorn.
Grant Brown has told reporters he was awoken by a noise inside his Kinkora Road property at about 3:25am.
He said he confronted two people on the ground floor of the home, giving chase as the pair allegedly fled down the street.
Grant Brown restrained a teenager in a nearby laneway after the 15-year-old allegedly broke into his Hawthorn home. (ABC News)
Mr Brown said he managed to grab hold of a 15-year-old boy.
He said he lifted up the boy’s shirt to check he did not have a weapon and, since he did not have time to grab his phone, told the teen to use his own mobile to call police.
He said the boy told him he was “just doing a job”.
“I actually feel sorry for them that that’s the situation they find themselves in,” he said.
He said police arrived within about five minutes and arrested the boy.
Police said a 14-year-old boy was also arrested.
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One neighbour alleged police found a knife on one of the teenagers and that he then made threats against the community.
Another neighbour, Anna Dunn, said she was scared and saddened by the number of incidents happening in the area.
“I know there’s no excuse for it but … you’ve got to look at the cause behind it all,” she said.
“It’s not just in Australia. It seems to be happening everywhere.”
Youth crime remains a contentious issue in Victoria, and the state recently recorded its highest ever crime levels, driven by thefts.
Chief Commissioner Mike Bush on Monday said Victoria Police needed a “reset”, announcing a proposed restructure of the organisation to tackle crime in the state.
Victoria Police to slim down executive, divert more officers to front line
Under the restructure, the force’s executive team would be slimmed down to enable a reinvestment in the front line, Chief Commissioner Bush said.
He said it would “free up police from administrative burden” and give them more time on the streets.
Earlier this year, the Victorian government announced it had toughened bail laws, including making it harder for those accused of violent or repeat offending to get bail.
Premier Jacinta Allan thanked police for their quick response to the alleged Hawthorn incident.
“No doubt the family has experienced a terrible experience,” she said.