By Brendan Rees
A mother has told that her teenage son has been left petrified after a gang allegedly threatened to stab him at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre.
The 14-year-old was in the food court with friends when they were approached by a group of young thugs about 4.30pm on Thursday 11 April.
According to the teen’s mother, who asked not to be named, one of the thug’s allegedly put their arm around the victims saying ‘come on mate give us your money.’
“They came up making out like they’re all mates and so it looks good for the camera,” she said.
The thugs told the victims if they didn’t give him the jacket and the money “they would be stabbed and bashed,” she added.
“No one stopped to help them.”
After the teens were robbed, security was called and retrieved the victim’s jacket and some of the money, the mother said.
“The security didn’t ring the police which they denied.
“Security walked them upstairs and let them go without ringing a parent or making sure there was someone to pick them up. I had to wait in the car park till I could get there,” she said.
The mother said she spoke to security and recorded a video on her phone, and was furious with how security handled the matter.
“I played it back later and the first security guard says ‘didn’t get a chance to call police.’
“The next big boss said ‘oh they should’ve rung (police), I’m going to look into it,’ then he said ‘yeah they did ring them.’
“The police told us they didn’t,” she said.
“I don’t care about the money – just over a $100 between the four kids they robbed. I don’t care if it was $100 or a $1000. I can replace that; I can’t replace my kid.”
She said her son was too scared to go back to the centre.
A Scentre Group spokesperson said the safety and security of their customers, retail partners and employees was always the centre’s priority.
“As a social hub and meeting point in the local community, Westfield Fountain Gate strives to ensure all our customers feel welcome, comfortable and safe when visiting,” the spokesperson said.
“Every situation is different and our experienced teams make decisions on how to manage situations on a case-by-case basis – always with the safety of our customers in mind.
“We work closely with local authorities, including Police and emergency services, as needed.”
Narre Warren Crime Investigation Unit is investigating.
