A number of people have been charged as part of Operation Regional Mongoose in the State's Illawarra.
Operation Regional Mongoose is a high-visibility police operation to tackle serious property-related crime committed predominately by young offenders.
In June 2024, Regional Mongoose was established in the Illawarra to investigate offenders across the Wollongong and Lake Illawarra PDs, with assistance from the Region Enforcement Squad.
Following inquiries, about 1.30pm yesterday (Thursday 20 June 2024), police attended an address in Warilla.
A male and female, both aged 16, were arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station.
The male was charged with driver conveyance taken without consent of owner, dishonestly obtain property by deception, unlicensed driver and breach of bail.
The female was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and dishonestly obtain property by deception and breach of bail.
They'll appear before a Children's Court today (Thursday 20 June 2024).
Police will allege the pair were involved in the break in and theft of cars in Hoolong Avenue, Kiama Downs, a car in Tallawong in Sydney and allegedly failed to pay for fuel in Blaxland Road Campbelltown, earlier this month.
Other notable results from the Operation include;
- About 1.55am on (Saturday 15 June 2024), officers attached Lake Illawarra Police District executed a search warrant in Mummuga Close, Flinders. Police allegedly seized an air rifle, ammunition, fireworks, explosives and cannabis. Police also seized a motorcycle, credit cards and keys, all alleged to be stolen. A 19-year-old man was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station. He was charged with four counts goods suspected stolen in/on premises, possess unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm, not keep firearm safely-not pistol/prohibited firearm, possess prohibited drug, possess ammunition w/o holding licence/permit/authority and handle explosive/precursor without authorising. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday 24 July 2024.
- About 9am (Wednesday 13 June 2024), officers executed a search warrant at a home on Kyeema Avenue, Koonawarra. Officer seized a sawn-off shotgun, ammunition and two cars alleged to be stolen. A 23-year-old man was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station. He was charged with two counts drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, dishonestly obtain property by deception, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority, not keep firearm safely-not pistol/prohibited firearm and possess ammunition without holding license/permit/authority. He appeared before Wollongong Local Court on Friday 14 June 2024 and was refused bail to appear at the same court on Tuesday 23 July 2024.
As investigations continue, Lake Illawarra Police District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Brad Ainsworth is reminding people to take precautions, to ensure you don't become the target of opportunistic thieves.
"We're urging the public to take measures to ensure you don't become an easy target, please lock your cars, don't leave valuables in plain sight, never leave house keys or garage remoted in your car to allow access in to your home. If your car is parked outside, make sure you leave it in well-lit area where possible," Detective Inspector Ainsworth said.
Investigations as part of Operation Regional Mongoose continue, with more arrests expected.
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.
Anyone with information about this incident 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.
