Ten 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 Police Districts, with assistance from the Region Enforcement Squad.
Since the start of the operation there has been 10 arrests with 65 charges laid and two firearms seized.
Notable results from the Operation include;
- About 11.50pm yesterday (30 June 2024), officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command attended a home in Blacktown and arrested a 16-year-old girl. She was taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with face blackened/disguised with intent to commit indictable offence, enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner, larceny value less than $2000 and take and drive conveyance without consent of owners. She was granted conditional bail to appear before a Children's Court tomorrow (Tuesday 2 July 2024). Police will allege she was involved in the theft of a Jeep Grand Cherokee station wagon in Bankbook drive, Wongawilli and allegedly stole money from a vehicle in Omaroo Place, Horsley, earlier this month.
- About 2.30am on (Tuesday 18 June 2024), police were called to Wentworth Street, Shellharbour following reports of a break and enter, after car keys, a wallet and a car were allegedly stolen. Following inquiries, about 9.10am on (Wednesday 26 June 2024), officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District with assistance from Region Enforcement Squad and Wollongong Police District executed a search warrant a home in Shellharbour. A 16-year-old male was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station. He was charged with 14 offences, including larceny (four counts), aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence -people there (two counts), take and drive conveyance without consent of owner (three counts), enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner (three counts), goods suspected stolen in/on promises (not motor vehicle) and possess prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear at a Children's Court on Tuesday 9 July 2024. Police will allege the car was used to steal from multiple motor vehicles.
- 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 of 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. Officers 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 Acting Commander Detective Chief Inspector Brad Ainsworth is reminding residents to take precautions, to ensure you don't become the target of opportunistic thieves.
"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 Chief 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.
