Three teens have been charged following a pursuit in the state's north.
Operation Regional Mongoose is a high-visibility police operation aimed at curbing serious property-related crime, committed predominately by young offenders.
About 2:45am today (Saturday 11 January 2025), police were told three teenagers forced entry to a property in Dean Street, Casino where they assaulted a 67-year-old woman before stealing her vehicle, a Hyundai i30 sedan.
A short time later, officers attached to Richmond Police District sighted the Hyundai, along with a Holden Captiva that had been allegedly stolen two days earlier. Police attempted to stop both vehicles,
however, they failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.
The Holden Captiva was dumped a short time later in Boronia Crescent, Casino with the occupants being picked up by the Hyundai i30. The pursuit continued but was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
At 5:35am today, the Hyundai was seen again by police on the Bruxner Highway near Tabulam. Another pursuit was initiated with road spikes deployed on the Bruxner Highway at Black Gully Bridge. The vehicle stopped prior to the road spikes and then reversed into a police vehicle that was following.
The vehicle continued over the road spikes before colliding with a parked police vehicle in Hare Street, Casino.
Three teens allegedly tried to leave the scene but were arrested by officers with one officer sustaining abrasions during the arrest. During a subsequent search, police allegedly located a satchel containing two knives and a pair of gloves.
Two boys aged 16 and one aged 17 were taken to Casino Police Station where they were charged with a range of offences including:
- Aggravated break, enter and steal whilst armed in company,
- Use weapon to avoid apprehension,
- Take conveyance without consent of owner
- Participate in criminal group
- Carry cutting implement upon apprehension
- Breach of bail
- Police pursuit (second offence)
All were refused bail to appear before a children's court tomorrow (Sunday 12 January 2025).
