Detectives from the Stonnington Crime Investigation Unit have arrested a man and a woman following a spate of violent home invasions and armed robberies across Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs over the weekend.
The pair, a 29-year-old man from Point Cook and a 41-year-old woman from Clayton South, were apprehended at Ringwood railway station on Sunday evening around 5:30 pm. Their arrests followed an extensive police search after their alleged involvement in a brutal home invasion in Kew, where a car was stolen from Brougham Street around 4:30 pm.
The Kew incident was reportedly the last in a series of violent crimes that began on Friday, February 21. During this attack, a 77-year-old woman was confronted, assaulted, and struck with a machete by the duo.
Timeline of Incidents
The alleged crime spree unfolded as follows:
- Friday, February 21: An aggravated burglary occurred in York Street, Prahran, around 1:00 pm, where a victim was threatened with a machete, and a Subaru Impreza was stolen.
- Later that day: Another aggravated burglary took place in Lake View Boulevard, Keysborough, around 7:40 pm. A 73-year-old man was slashed in the face with a machete during the attack.
- Saturday, February 22: At about 11:10 am, a woman was allegedly cut on the hand while vacuuming her car at a Bay Road car wash in Cheltenham.
Additional Saturday Incidents:
- A reported suspicious loitering incident in Patterson Lakes.
- An aggravated burglary in Pearce Street, Crib Point, where a handbag was stolen. The occupants of the home did not encounter the intruders.
- On Saturday, patrolling officers spotted the wanted vehicle in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, around 4:10 pm. However, when police attempted to intercept it, the car sped away.
- Following the home invasion in Kew on Sunday, detectives, supported by the Air Wing, local police, and Protective Service Officers, tracked and arrested the suspects at Ringwood railway station.
Police Recovery and Charges
Police recovered both stolen vehicles, the Subaru and a Holden Astra, along with multiple weapons.
The 41-year-old woman has been charged with three counts of home invasion, armed robbery, intentionally causing injury, theft of a motor vehicle, obtaining property by deception, aggravated burglary, and failing to stop when directed by police. She is set to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Bail and Remand Court today.
The 29-year-old man remains in custody and is expected to be interviewed later today.
Police continue their investigations and urge anyone with information about the incidents to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For more local crime updates, stay tuned to STPL News, Somerville Times, and Peninsula Local.
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