Underpass a ‘crime hotspot’

Rockingham police have issued a warning to residents after the latest violent assault at the Read Street underpass earlier this month.

Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Maher highlighted the underpass as a crime hotspot in the area and said police had witnessed increase in violent crimes in its vicinity.

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said the City was aware of anti-social behaviour reported at the location.

Cr Sammels said the City was undertaking a review of the use of CCTV across the region and recommendations for further coverage would be presented to the council for consideration at the end of the year.

Acting Sen. Sgt Maher said the latest incident at the underpass happened between 3.30pm and 4.30pm on September 13 when three males approached a 22-year-old Rockingham man and asked him for money.

The victim ran away and was chased down by the group and was allegedly attacked with a taser device.

The young men put a knife to the victim’s throat, stole his wallet, demanded his pin number and spent his money at the shopping centre.

Rockingham police secured CCTV footage of the males and identified a 12-year-old from Rockingham, a 14-year-old Orelia boy and a 19-year-old Safety Bay man.

Police allege the trio approached two teenage boys, aged 13 and 14, near Ace Cinemas and asked them for money later the same day.

The boys said they had no money and managed to run away after a taser was allegedly produced. The trio was charged with armed robbery and will face court at a later date.