Two teenagers have been charged over a spate of armed robberies against taxi drivers in Melbourne’s northwestern suburbs.
At least 10 taxi drivers have reported being robbed in a three-month period, which police have linked to the work of two bandits wearing balaclavas.
In each case, the taxi drivers have been called for a trip to Melbourne Airport, but soon discover it is only a ruse to lure them into a trap awaiting them on a dead-end street.
The cabbies are approached by two masked men and allegedly threatened with a knife or firearm before their cash and phones are stolen.
The men then flee in another vehicle.
Detectives linked 10 such attacks dating back to July in the northern suburbs of Albion, Tullamarine and Gladstone Park among others and formed a taskforce to find the two suspects.
On Wednesday evening officers arrested two men.
Police say they were questioned on Wednesday evening and were remanded into custody during an out of sessions court hearing.
Eighteen-year-old Sam Larizza, of East Keilor, and 19-year-old Anthony Hess, of Altona Meadows, are facing armed robbery and attempted armed robbery charges.
Both men will appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
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