Charges over Lara robbery
ONE of the teenagers accused of the armed robbery at Lara’s APCO service station was told yesterday his alleged actions fuelled fears of African gang violence in Victoria.
The boy, 15, and three alleged teenage co-offenders faced a children’s court after separate arrests yesterday morning, but police believe at least one conspirator remains at large.
While detectives say the 15year-old has co-operated with their investigation, a co-accused, 16, sought bail, arguing there was little proof he was one of the armed robbers.
But a prosecutor told court a journal seized from that boy’s home on Thursday morning contained handwritten rap lyrics outlining the crime, and other damning evidence.
He was refused bail, but his younger alleged accomplice had no prior convictions, so was released with orders to abide by a curfew and stay away from Geelong and Lara.
“Have you seen lately a lot in the media about African gangs running wild in Victoria? Well, you are causing those media reports,” the magistrate told the 15-year-old.
“Because, in fact, gangs of Africans are not running wild in Victoria. But when you and your mates behave like this, the whole Sudanese population of Victoria is treated and considered to be criminals.
“That’s what you and your mates do to your mum and your aunt, and the whole Sudanese community.”
A police detective told court the teens broke into a house in Hampden about 4.20am on July 22, and stole the keys to a Volvo SUV before taking the vehicle. The Flustered a number of nonpayers next day they allegedly used the same modus operandi to steal a Mercedes and a BMW from a Balwyn home.
“Stealing to order it sounds like,” the magistrate said.
The detective told court the five teenagers then fronted Lara’s APCO service station in the Mercedes early on July 24 while the attendant was counting the night’s takings.
Armed with a claw hammer, they allegedly broke in, threatened the store worker and stole $11,000 in cash and cigarettes of a similar value. The court heard the teens fled in the Mercedes, which was seen in Werribee and then Deer Park, allegedly doing 184km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Western Ring Rd.
The court heard the 16year-old rap lyricist had a poor rap sheet, with stints in youth detention.
He was on bail and parole at the time of his arrest yesterday morning, the court heard, and the magistrate cast doubt on his claim he wasn’t involved in the holdup.
“I’ve seen the stills from the CCTV, and one of them (the APCO robbers) resembles him, I think,” she said.
While he gave police a nocomment interview, the court heard that statements from at least one other witness had implicated him.
The 15-year-old was granted bail, after his lawyer detailed his clean record, solid history of school attendance, that he had a part-time job and important role at home as the oldest sibling in a fatherless family.
“Your lawyer has said you’re the man of the house, so start acting like it. The man of the house does not go around committing these offences,” the magistrate said.
The youths will return to court later this month.