An 18-year-old, alongside four accomplices, has been taken into custody, facing charges linked to a series of armed robberies and home invasions targeting Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs.

He was apprehended in Highett last week, accused of committing armed robbery and assaulting a delivery driver on Christmas Day in Brighton.

Earlier this year, the same teenager, together with another young offender, was flown to the Gold Coast. This trip, which included visits to theme parks and sightseeing, was intended as a step towards their rehabilitation from criminal activities.

The young offenders had previously been found guilty of violent home invasions and carjackings, yet they avoided incarceration.

The trip was sanctioned by Victoria’s Department of Justice and Community Safety, which adjusted their community corrections orders to permit the journey to Queensland.

Reportedly financed by the National Disability Insurance Agency, this excursion has provoked significant public outrage.

“We see that youth offenders don’t think there’s consequences for their actions. Why would they?” Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said.

“How does that stack up? How does that say their actions are not acceptable? It’s not how our justice system should operate.”