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Armed detectives have charged three teenagers over two attempted kidnappings and several aggravated home invasions linked to the violence plaguing Melbourne’s nightlife industry.
Police descended on three properties in Melbourne’s north-west on Wednesday morning where they arrested three 17-year-old boys.
The three are accused of carrying out six attacks over five days in April. They are due to appear at the Children’s Court at a later date.
Detectives believe the attacks were targeting the nightclub promoters running the popular Alumbra event on Saturday nights at the Albion Hotel in South Melbourne.
A 17-year-old from the Hobsons Bay area was charged with 32 offences. The charges include kidnapping, assaults, resisting police, possessing a controlled weapon, possessing ammunition without a licence, vehicle theft, driving charges and drug charges.
Two other 17-year-olds from the Wyndham area face 13 and 15 charges respectively, with offences allegedly including aggravated home invasion and committing crimes while on bail.
They also include an attempted kidnapping on April 9 at a Templestowe address which they allegedly returned to the next day in an aggravated home invasion.
The trio is also accused of carrying out a carjacking on April 12 at a Wollert address, which the teens allegedly returned to the next day, twice attempting to carry out home invasions.
The teenagers are accused of carrying out an attempted home invasion and kidnapping at a Malvern home on April 14. Police believe the wrong address was targeted.
The arrests come a day after police formed a specialist taskforce, dubbed Operation Eclipse, to hunt down the mysterious crime syndicate behind the wave of firebombings on Melbourne’s nightlife industry.
There have been at least 24 incidents since the crime spree began in February, according to several sources across police and the hospitality and nightlife industries.
The list of targeted venues includes the Albion Hotel, The Osborne and Soho, Left Bank, Bar Bambi and France-Soir restaurant.
Two strip clubs, Kittens and The Men’s Gallery, have also been targeted with arson attacks and a drive-by shooting. A South Melbourne brothel has faced threats.
The teens arrested on Wednesday have not been accused of being involved in these attacks, for which police have been unable to establish a motive.
More to come
Carla Jaeger is a journalist for The Age. Got a tip? Email carla.jaeger@theage.com.au or message carlajaeger.62 on Signal.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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