Two teens have been charged following investigation into multiple property offences in Walgett last week.
Operation Regional Mongoose is a high-visibility police operation to tackle serious property-related crime, committed predominately by young offenders.
Officers attached to Central North Police District commenced inquiries following reports of multiple property offences that occurred in the Walgett area between 2am and 3am on Thursday (11 July 2024).
Following inquiries, about 11.30am the same day, police were called to Wee Waa Street, Walgett, after a victim of an alleged theft sighted two teens with shoes that were stolen earlier that morning from his home.
Officers attended and searched the two boys – aged 14 and 15. Police located and seized car keys belonging to a Holden car and two pairs of shoes alleged to have been stolen.
The pair were arrested and taken to Walgett Police Station. A short time later police executed a search warrant at a home in Walgett where they located and seized a further two pairs of shoes.
The 14-year-old boy was charged with;
- Larceny (two counts)
- Enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse
- Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen
- Be carried in conveyance taken w/o consent of owner, and
- Breach of bail.
The 15-year-old was charged with;
- Enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence (three counts)
- Face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence (three counts)
- Larceny value under $2000
- Enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, and
- Breach of bail.
Both teens were refused bail on Friday (12 July 2024), where they were formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Tuesday 27 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.