Brazen Teen Burglars Bring Terror to Melbourne’s East: Home Owner Turns Hero After Chasing Down and Detaining 15-Year-Old Intruder!
- TWO teenagers, aged 14 and 15, charged with aggravated burglary after allegedly breaking into two homes in Hawthorn, Melbourne
- Brave home owner Grant Brown chased down and restrained the 15-year-old intruder, holding him until police arrived
- The shocking incidents have sparked fresh concerns about youth crime in Victoria, which has recorded its highest ever crime levels
In a daring act of bravery, a Melbourne home owner has turned hero after chasing down and detaining a 15-year-old alleged burglar who broke into his Hawthorn property in the early hours of Monday morning.
Grant Brown, 43, was awoken by a noise inside his Kinkora Road home at around 3:25 am and confronted two people on the ground floor. Without hesitation, he gave chase as the pair allegedly fled down the street.
“I managed to grab hold of the 15-year-old boy,” Mr Brown recounted in an emotional interview. “I lifted up his shirt to check he didn’t have a weapon, and since I didn’t have time to grab my phone, I told him to use his own mobile to call police.”
In a heartbreaking development, the teenager told Mr Brown that he was “just doing a job”. The home owner’s compassion was palpable as he reflected on the incident, saying, “I actually feel sorry for them that that’s the situation they find themselves in.”
Within five minutes, police arrived and arrested the boy. A 14-year-old boy was also arrested in connection with the alleged break-ins.
The dramatic incident has sparked renewed concerns about youth crime in Victoria, which recently recorded its highest ever crime levels, driven by thefts. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush has announced a proposed restructure of the organisation to tackle crime in the state.
Meanwhile, neighbours have expressed shock and sadness at the number of incidents happening in the area. “I know there’s no excuse for it, but … you’ve got to look at the cause behind it all,” said Anna Dunn, a local resident.
The incident has also raised questions about the safety of citizen’s arrests, with some neighbours alleging that police found a knife on one of the teenagers and that he made threats against the community.
As the state grapples with the growing issue of youth crime, Premier Jacinta Allan has thanked police for their quick response to the alleged incident, saying, “No doubt the family has experienced a terrible experience.”