Further charges have been laid following an investigation into multiple break-ins and pursuits throughout Dubbo.
Operation Regional Mongoose is a high-visibility police operation to tackle serious property-related crime, committed predominately by young offenders.
Police received reports a Toyota Kluger was stolen from a home on Lago Circuit between 11.50pm on Wednesday 22 May 2024, and 10.55am on Thursday 23 May 2024.
The car was later located on Alcheringa Street and seized by police for forensic examination.
About 12am on Saturday (25 May 2024), a holding yard was broken into, and the Toyota Kluger was stolen.
Police will allege the vehicle was involved in seven break-ins, two pursuits and rammed a fence between Saturday (25 May 2024) to Monday (27 May 2024).
The seven break-ins occurred at businesses on Erskine, Macquarie, and Bourke Street, Commercial Avenue, Hopkins Parade, Yarrandale, and Minore Road, and Douglas Mawson Drive.
Investigators attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
About 2.30am on Monday (27 May 2024), the Kluger was located abandoned on Alcheringa Street, Dubbo.
About 12.50am on Tuesday (28 May 2024), three people forced entry into a business on Whylandra Street, and allegedly attempted to steal cigarettes before fleeing on foot.
A short time later, the group was outside a home on Bunglegumbie Road, Dubbo, when the occupant – a 26-year-old man – approached the group.
One of the individuals threatened the man with a knife before he retreated inside his home. Entry was forced into the home where the group stole his car keys and a Mercedes C250.
About 1.30am, police attempted to stop the Mercedes on Whylandra Street, and when it failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated.
It was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns and was located shortly after abandoned on Alfred Street, where it was seized for forensic examination.
A 13-year-old girl has since been charged and remains before the courts.
Following inquiries, about 2.40pm yesterday (Wednesday 29 May 2024), investigators attended a home in Dubbo and arrested a 17-year-old boy and was taken to Dubbo Police Station and charged with:
- Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner (x2)
- Aggravated break and enter dwelling in company intend steal (x3)
- Aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal (x5)
- Face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence (x5)
- Destroy etc property in company use fire, and
- Breach of bail.
The teen was also charged with traffic, property and fraud-related offences allegedly committed in Nyngan on Tuesday 21 May 2024.
Following further inquiries, about 1.10am today (Thursday 30 May 2024), police located a second 17-year-old boy walking on Cobra Street and arrested him.
He was taken to Dubbo Police Station and charged with:
- Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner (x2)
- Aggravated break and enter dwelling in company intend steal (x3)
- Aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal (x5)
- Face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence (x6)
- Aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-armed, and
- Breach of bail.
Both teens were refused bail and will appear at a Children’s Court today (Thursday 30 May 2024).
Inquiries are continuing by Orana Mid-Western Police District, and further arrests are 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.
