Detectives from the Armed Crime Squad have charged a man as part of their investigation into incidents potentially linked to the targeting of hospitality venues.
A 19-year-old Tarneit man, already in custody for unrelated offending, has been charged on summons with:
• aggravated home invasion,
• two counts of intentionally cause serious injury in circumstances of gross violence,
• two counts of intentionally cause serious injury,
• attempt to commit indictable offence,
• armed robbery,
• kidnap,
• unlawful imprisonment,
• home invasion, and
• theft.
The man will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 29 October.
The charges follow an incident where a number of males forced entry into a Springvale address shortly after 5am on Wednesday, 22 April.
A male occupant of the property received a serious injury to his upper body. Two women home at the time were not physically injured during the incident.
A 34-year-old man was allegedly kidnapped.
Police will allege the man was forced into a vehicle and seriously assaulted, receiving serious injuries to his lower body and the partial amputation of one his fingers.
The men allegedly demanded to know the whereabouts of a man known to him with links to the security industry.
They were unable to locate the man and the victim was eventually released.
He was conveyed to hospital to be treated for serious injuries.
Investigators will allege the same Springvale Road address was previously targeted on Saturday, 18 April.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Operation Eclipse commenced on 27 April to target a range of serious and organised crime syndicates believed to be involved in a series of offending linked to hospitality venues, as well as determining the motive for these attacks.
The operation, led by specialist detectives including the Gang Crime Squad and Arson and Explosives Squad continues to work closely with local police, in particular regional detectives who continue to respond to and investigate these incidents.
The specialist resources in Operation Eclipse are focussing on the organisers and those pulling the strings.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
