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A 14-year-old boy, who police believe is a “youth gang member” and the principal offender in the alleged attack on the student from Glen Eira Secondary College, was arrested earlier today.
It was welcome news to victim Benjamin’s family, who told 9News the Year 9 student was slowly recovering in hospital after suffering “life-altering” injuries.
Police believe Benjamin was walking home with three other students when a grey Volkswagen approached about 3.35pm on Monday.
The victim was allegedly pushed into the car before it took off.
He was then left with serious injuries after he was allegedly ejected out of the moving car.
Benjamin’s father told 9News today his son remained in a coma at the Royal Children’s Hospital but was slowly trying to wake up.
“It’s really sad you know, we can’t sleep,” he said.
“We just (need to) wait for him to wake up and I don’t know much about what’s going on with his head.”
Speaking to media today, Victoria Police Inspector Scott Dwyer said more arrests were expected over the coming days.
“There has been an arrest of a 14-year-old youth gang member who we believe is the principal offender from this incident,” he said.
“I anticipate in the hours that follow and the days that follow there will be further arrests, that will give us some comfort that the incident we saw would be addressed.”
“I want the community to know we are there with them, we are responsive and we take action.
“We are there trying to prevent these crimes.”
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At least two students have come forward to report similar incidents since police appealed for witnesses in relation to the attack on the Glen Eira Secondary College student.
The two from the same school, aged 14 and 16, contacted police about being attacked or robbed.
“We believe these to be the same offenders and linked to the same circumstances,” Dwyer said.
Students targeted across Melbourne’s east
A growing number of secondary schools across Melbourne’s south-east have also reported similar incidents over the past month.
Salesian College, located in Chadstone, about 8km from Glen Huntly, has been the latest school to report an alleged attack on its students.
Principal Mark Ashmore said police were investigating after a student was approached but wasn’t injured while at Chadstone Shopping Centre on Friday evening.
“Our boys need to be aware of their surroundings and be alert and seek help if they feel unsafe,” he said.
Last week, Xavier College students in Kew, about 12km from Glen Huntly, were also targeted.
The school issued a student safety reminder yesterday to parents, encouraging students to not be distracted by their phones when walking, not to wear noise-cancelling headphones and to go directly home after school.
The reminder follows an incident where a number of students were approached by a group of unknown people on August 1.
The group allegedly stole property from the students.
