'Go get some real criminals': Controversial Melbourne pranksters mock police on social media
Two brothers who were arrested after posting prank terror attacks online have mocked police just hours after they were charged with public nuisance.
The brothers, Max and Arman, are part of an online prank group known as The Jalals responsible for creating a series of controversial videos.
Officers claimed the community had a right to feel safe and they raided the property about 6.30am in Melbourne’s north-east, seizing fake guns, computers and costumes.
Since being bailed, Max Jalal has taken to Facebook his frustrations regarding the arrest.
“Prison Break, who gone (sic) stop us?” Max posted to Facebook following the arrest.
He then followed up hours later saying:
“Victoria Police logic: There’s rapist, pedophiles, drug dealers, the list goes on. But they’re sooooo proud they arrested us lmao. Go get some real criminals.”
"So today we got arrested. 30 counter-terrorist officers later, a search warrant & a 6 hour interview. Also, news headlines all over Australia. Was it really all worth it? When there's worse things going on in the world, bigger crimes being committed.
"But Victoria Police targeted 3 Pranksters, that have not to this date harmed anyone." a status posted to the group's actual Facebook page read.
“They just walked in and had a search warrant,” their father Michael Jalal told 7 News.
Their online videos include fake abductions and bomb scares – which have attracted millions of views worldwide.
The stunts have also become financially lucrative, but it’s their latest prank which involved a terrified 5-year-old girl, that has caused alarm.
Police claimed the brother’s terror related pranks were causing alarm in the community, at a time when the men should know better.
Police Assistant Commissioner Ross Guenther told 7 News he felt this behaviour was not OK.
“It doesn’t promote social cohesion, it promotes poor behaviour, it suggests that this sort of behaviour is OK,” he said.
“It’s definitely not, it’s criminal behaviour and that’s how we will be proceeding with it”.
The pair’s father also agreed.
“It’s very hard to say what is fair or not fair,” he said.
“They should know their limit as well, as a father I am not with them… to be honest I am against what they are doing”.
“The stuff they are doing, for example the bomb prank, to me it’s going too serious,” he said.
“If they are doing comedian stuff I don’t mind”.
Police said they were searching for an imitation firearm, Arabic traditional clothing and media equipment such as laptops and other devices.
On Thursday the men were apologetic, admitting they had stuffed up.
They have been charged with public nuisance and fined for a weapon offence and offensive behaviour.
They’ve also promised police they won’t put anymore controversial videos online.
