Four more youths arrested after cyclists struck in Melbourne’s southeast

A 16-year-old Healesville boy was charged with two counts of theft of motor vehicle. Picture: ON FILE

Four more youths, including a 16-year-old Healesville boy, have been arrested following an investigation into two cyclists that were hit by a car in the south-eastern suburbs last week.

Officers were called to Beach Road, Cheltenham, about 5.20am on Tuesday 23 January, after a cyclist was struck by a vehicle.

The 51-year-old Aspendale man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

He was released on Tuesday 30 January.

A 72-year-old man from Bentleigh East was then struck on Beach Road in Beaumaris a short time later.

The vehicle again allegedly failed to stop, and the second rider was also taken to hospital with serious injuries.

He remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

A Holden Astra, believed to have been stolen from Preston on 21 January, then allegedly used in the incidents, was recovered in Black Rock the same day.

Police arrested two 16-year-old boys in Noble Park, about 7.30pm on Wednesday 31 January.

A boy from Noble Park has since been released from hospital and charged with armed robbery, and theft of a motor vehicle.

He was remanded to appear in a children’s court at a later date.

A 16-year-old boy from Clyde North remains before the courts.

Following further enquiries, Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested four youths at various locations about 7.30am on Friday 2 February.

A 13-year-old Hampton Park boy was charged with two counts of theft of a motor vehicle.

A 14-year-old Wonthaggi boy was charged with five offences, including reckless conduct endanger life, intentionally cause serious injury, theft of motor vehicle, and commit indictable offence whilst on bail.

A 16-year-old Healesville boy was charged with two counts of theft of motor vehicle.

The trio has been bailed to appear before a children’s court at a later date, while a 15-year-old Doveton boy was released pending summons for theft of a motor vehicle.