Four teens have been arrested following an investigation into an alleged break and enter and stolen car in the state's Northern Tablelands.
Operation Regional Mongoose is a high-visibility police operation to tackle serious property-related crime, committed predominately by young offenders.
Between 5pm on Monday (19 August 2024), and 1am on Tuesday (20 August 2024), a white Holden Captiva was reported stolen from a home on Oak Tree Drive, Armidale.
Officers attached to New England Police District commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
About 1.30am on Tuesday, police received reports the Holden had attempted to fill up with fuel at a service station in Girraween.
The Holden was located abandoned with a book inside on fire on Elizabeth Street, Armidale, about 1.50am on Tuesday (20 August 2024). Police extinguished the fire, and the car was seized for forensic examination.
Following inquiries, about 9am yesterday (Wednesday 21 August 2024), a 12-year-old boy attended Armidale Police Station and was arrested.
The boy was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act and later released.
About 9.20am, yesterday, a 15-year-old boy attended Armidale Police Station and was arrested.
He was charged with aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal under $60000, steal motor vehicle, dishonestly obtain property by deception, face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence, and commit S154A offence and disseminate.
About 11.30am yesterday, police attended a home in Armidale and arrested a 15-year-old boy. He was taken to Armidale Police Station.
About 3.20pm, yesterday, a 14-year-old boy attended Armidale Police Station and was arrested.
Both boys were charged with aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal under $60000, steal motor vehicle, dishonestly obtain property by deception, and face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence.
The two 15-year-old boys were refused bail and appeared at a Children's Court yesterday, where they were given conditional bail to reappear at the same court today (Thursday 22 August 2024).
The 14-year-old boy was refused bail to appear at a Children's Court today (Thursday 22 August 2024).
Inquiries under Operation Regional Mongoose continue.
Anyone with information about Operation Regional Mongoose is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
