Detectives from the Gang Crime Squad have arrested eight people today as part of their investigation into a stabbing in the Melbourne CBD earlier this week.
Warrants were executed at 11 properties in Dandenong, Langwarrin, Pakenham, Berwick, Dandenong North, Cranbourne, Clyde North and Doveton from 6am this morning.
Police from the Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit, Melbourne Embona Taskforce, Melbourne Divisional Response Unit, Casey Crime Investigation Unit, Southern Metro Division 3 Frontline Tactical Unit and Southern Metro Regional Crime Team were also involved in this morning's operational activity.
Those arrested include:
• A 19-year-old Langwarrin man;
• An 18-year-old Dandenong North man;
• A 20-year-old Cranbourne man;
• An 18-year-old Clyde North man;
• An 18-year-old Dandenong North man;
• A 19-year-old Dandenong man;
• A n 18-year-old Doveton man; and
• A 16-year-old Pakenham boy.
The males will now all be interviewed by police, with a number of serious criminal charges expected to be laid today.
The arrests follow an incident where six people were stabbed at a Spencer Street property on Monday, 8 March.
Police were flagged down by a 19-year-old Dandenong North man who had walked to Southern Cross Station around 2.20am.
Police established he had been at a party at a short term rental property when a fight broke out and he sustained several stab wounds to the upper body.
A number of other males sustained non-life-threatening stab wounds, including a 19-year-old Langwarrin man and a 20-year-old Berwick man.
They presented at a nearby hospital about 3.50am.
Two 17-year-olds from Truganina and a 17-year-old from South Melbourne presented at a hospital in Werribee with non-life-threatening stab wounds.
It has since been established that three people who presented at a hospital in Fitzroy about 2.45am that morning were not involved in this incident.
The investigation into the matter remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Commander Mick Frewen, Crime Command:
"Today's arrests are great result and highlight to the community that we will do everything we can to hold those involved in violent incidents of this nature to account.
"We understand there is immense public concern when an incident like this occurs, especially in the CBD area that many people travel to regularly and expect to be safe in.
"However today's arrests highlight the determination of both the Gang Crime Squad and regional police to ensure those involved are arrested and ultimately put before the court.
"It should also send a strong message that violent offending of this nature will not be tolerated."
