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Two of the state’s most high-risk youth offenders are on the run after allegedly removing their state-issued ankle monitoring devices designed to track their every move.
Victoria Police launched a search for the two boys, aged 15 and 17, after learning the tracking devices – which were issued as part of their bail conditions – were no longer working.
The 17-year-old boy is described as a high-risk offender known to steal vehicles during aggravated burglaries, carry weapons and engage in police pursuits. His last known whereabouts were in the Glen Iris area on Wednesday afternoon.
The 15-year-old boy, also a serious violent criminal, is known to commit aggravated burglaries, armed robberies, car thefts and engage in dangerous driving.
Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny announced in April the Victorian government would begin trialling GPS-enabled ankle bracelets for 50 high-risk youth offenders as part of a two-year bail supervision program.
As part of a suite of bail reform changes, Kilkenny said Youth Justice would manage the devices for teens aged 14 to 18, with the Childrens Court and the Supreme Court given the power to impose electronic monitoring for young people in the metropolitan area.
“Young people need to take their bail conditions seriously and understand that there are consequences for their actions. Electronic monitoring will be an extra incentive for young people to comply with their conditions and gives authorities another way to take immediate and appropriate action if breaches occur,” Kilkenny said at the time.
In 2024, this masthead revealed fitting repeat offenders with GPS-tracking bracelets has been shown not to work when used in other parts of Australia and overseas.
The United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand have all turned to ankle bracelets as an alternative to youth detention, but evidence from a small number of studies shows the devices have failed to curb recidivism and can lead to increased incarceration.
Queensland trialled a similar monitoring scheme in parts of the state since 2021, but a police document tabled before a youth justice reform committee in 2023 showed the program has failed to prevent recidivism.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said the “shocking failure” was another example why Labor cannot be trusted to keep Victorians safe.
“Premier Allan must immediately explain how this breach occurred and what action is being taken to secure these young offenders,” she said.
It comes as Victoria Police moves to reallocate members from some of Melbourne’s crime reduction teams, which were launched in 2024 and aimed at building relationships between youth and police. Some officers will be redirected to other areas, including new motor vehicle theft units.
A black Lamborghini was allegedly stolen during an aggravated burglary from a property on The Esplanade in Maribyrnong at about 1.15am on Thursday morning, before being driven at speed along the Princes Freeway in Melbourne’s southwest.
A police spokeswoman said a number of passersby called Triple Zero to report the car being driven erratically on the Western Ring Road about 9.40am, before police lost sight of it.
Victoria Police and the state government have been contacted for comment.
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