Police have charged thirteen people in total and identified an additional 18 people as part of Operation Astute – the investigation into the mass pitch invasion during Saturday’s A-League match at AAMI Park.
Of those charged and identified, this now includes:
• Four males allegedly responsible for the serious assaults on the field have all either been charged or identified by police
• The person allegedly responsible for throwing a flare at a cameraman who has been charged on summons.
The other people who detectives have identified are for alleged offences relating to criminal damage and discharging flares and missiles. They will now all be interviewed as soon as possible, with more charges expected to be laid in the coming days.
An additional ten people have now been charged, bringing the total number to thirteen. This includes:
• 26-year-old Northcote man charged with violent disorder, criminal damage, unlawful assault, entry to competition space, disrupting a match, public nuisance, riotous behaviour and discharging a flare.
• 23-year-old Wollert man charged with violent disorder, criminal damage, entry to sporting competition space, disrupting a match, public nuisance and riotous behaviour.
• 28-year-old Albion man charged with entry to competition space, disrupting a match, public nuisance and riotous behaviour.
• 26-year-old St Albans man charged with entry to competition space, disrupting a match, public nuisance and riotous behaviour.
• 27-year-old Cairnlea man charged with entry to competition space, disrupting a match, public nuisance and riotous behaviour.
• 18-year-old Diggers Rest man charged with entry to competition space, disrupting a match, public nuisance and riotous behaviour.
• 26-year-old Ringwood East man charged with entry to competition space, disrupting a match, public nuisance and riotous behaviour.
• 26-year-old Sunbury man charged with entry to competition space, disrupting a match, public nuisance and riotous behaviour.
• 17-year-old Reservoir male has been charged on summons with reckless conduct endangering serious injury and discharge a lit distress signal in relation to the cameraman who was allegedly hit with a flare.
• 22-year-old Pascoe Vale man expected to be charged on summons with discharging a lit distress signal.
All of those who have been charged were bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 27 February, while the remaining will be charged on summons.
The following details are alleged to have occurred during the match on Saturday 17 December:
• About 150 football fans ran onto the field during the match
• More than 80 flares and fireworks were released. This includes about 53 released at the northern end and 19 released at the southern end.
• Four men were injured during the incident, including a goalkeeper, cameraman and two security guards.
• Approximately $150,000 worth of damage was caused to the venue
• Bottles and poles were thrown at police officers from the Public Order Response Team who responded on the field
Detectives are continuing to appeal for public assistance in relation to criminal damage and release of flares and missiles including chairs, buckets and bottles during the pitch invasion. Images have been released of people who may be able to assist with their enquiries into these matters.
Detectives would like to thank the public for the assistance provided so far, and urge anyone with more information or who may know the identities of those pictured to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
