A 13-year-old boy has been charged after four alleged break-ins in NSW’s north last week.
Police allege that between 3:50 am and 4:15 am on Saturday, 18 July, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter and Brisbane Water police districts responded to reports of break-ins at four properties in Telarah and Avoca Beach.
At a home on Wentworth Street, Telarah, police were told an unknown number of people entered the property and stole two sets of car keys before leaving in a white Suzuki sedan belonging to the occupants.
Police allege the group also targeted three homes in Avoca Beach, on Avoca Drive, The Round Avenue and The Round Drive, but were unable to gain entry before leaving.
Following inquiries, officers from Oxley Police District were called to a service station on Bridge Street, Tamworth, about 5am on Tuesday, 21 July, after reports the allegedly stolen sedan had left without paying for fuel.
About 8:30 am the same day, officers from Oxley Police District, assisted by the Western Region Operations Support Group, attended a property at Westdale where they located the allegedly stolen vehicle.
A 13-year-old boy was arrested at the property and taken to Tamworth Police Station.
He was charged with eight offences:
- Three counts of armed with intent to commit an indictable offence.
- Two counts of aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence while people were present.
- Break and enter house etc and steal property valued at $60,000 or less.
- Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
- Dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.
The boy was refused bail and appeared before the Children’s Court on Wednesday, 22 July, where he was again refused bail. He is due to reappear on Wednesday, 29 July.
“This arrest is the result of great work conducted by Brisbane Water Police District, Port Stephens/Hunter Police District, Oxley Police District and both Western and Northern Region Operation Support Groups.” said Brisbane Water Police District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Matthew Stingmore.
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