The teens are two of more than 30 people Victoria Police has arrested as part of an investigation into a series of concerning attacks on men linked to dating apps and social media.
Police allege several groups of offenders — primarily young males aged between 13 and 20 — have lured men into meeting them to assault, rob, threaten and subject them to homophobic comments.
Some incidents were filmed and posted on social media accounts.
“Everyone has a right to go about their lives, meet new people and start a relationship in safety,” Priority and Safer Communities Division Acting Superintendent Carolyn Deer said.
“We know this has been a distressing situation for the victims involved, and these arrests show just how serious we are in holding offenders to account.
“There is absolutely no place for this type of concerning behaviour in our society. It will not be tolerated.”
Police said incidents had taken place across the state, but were concentrated in local government areas of Manningham, Casey, Hume, Moorabbin and Knox.
The arrests, that have been made since October last year, include:
- A 16-year-old male charged with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and possessing a prohibited weapon without lawful excuse.
- A 17-year-old male charged with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and possessing a drug of dependence.
- Two 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy charged with recklessly causing injury.
- A 13-year-old boy, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy for kidnapping and armed robbery. Two of the boys were charged and bailed to face court. The other boy was released pending further inquiries.
- Seven 17-year-old boys for armed robbery, violent disorder and false imprisonment. Two of the boys were charged and bailed at court. The remaining five have been charged on summons to appear at court later.
- Four 19-year-old males from Bayswater, Lyndhurst and Cranbourne East for armed robbery. Three of the males were charged and bailed to face court. The other male was released pending further inquiries.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Victoria Police treats incidents of this nature seriously and urges victims to come forward so it can investigate and hold offenders to account.
Reporting to a dating app does not mean the matter is automatically reported to police.
Police can request information from dating sites to help solve investigations and conduct criminal investigations, even where one party has blocked or deleted someone from the app.
Police continue to work with dating apps, including to publish proactive safety messaging on the platforms with reporting options and support services.
If you or someone you know has experienced this behaviour after using a dating app or other social media platform, police urge that a report be made.
“As when using any app or social media platform, please always remain vigilant by protecting your identity and location and verifying the other person’s identity before meeting up,” Acting Supt Deer said.
“Victoria Police is committed to the safety and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ communities and we take any report of this behaviour extremely seriously and investigate.”
In an emergency, phone 000. If you can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to do it for you.
For more information on safe online dating, visit: crimestoppersvic.com.au/current-focus/onlinedating
If you would prefer to speak to a Victoria Police LGBTIQA+ liaison officer, visit police.vic.gov.au/LGBTIQA-liaison-officers.
