A man and two teenagers will face court after they were charged with allegedly stealing approximately $150,000 worth of cigarettes and tobacco products from multiple stores across Sydney.
In October 2024, officers attached to Strike Force Sweetenham commenced an investigation following break ins and thefts at stores across Sydney.
About 7am yesterday (Wednesday 6 November 2024), officers executed search warrants at Concord, Five Dock, Canada Bay and Leichhardt where a number of items including mobile phones, explosive detonators and two motorbikes were seized and will undergo forensic examination.
A 19-year-old man, and two boys – aged 15 and 17 – were arrested at a home on Trafalgar Parade, Concord and taken to Burwood Police Station.
The man was charged with 34 offences including be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner; face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence; aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence; aggravated break and enter with intent – in company – not steal etc; drive conveyance taken without consent of owner and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction.
The 17-year-old boy was charged with 16 offences including aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, steal motor vehicle; be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner; face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence; aggravated break and enter with intent – in company – not steal etc and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction.
The 15-year-old boy was charged with 14 offences including be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction.
Police will allege in court the trio allegedly stole approximately $150,000 worth of cigarettes and tobacco products in October and caused significant damage to stores.
The convenience and tobacconist stores, pharmacies, a post office and newsagency were in Avalon, Dundas Valley, Telopea, Lewisham, Loungeville, Ryde, North Ryde, Freshwater, Mortdale, Edmondson Park and Bardwell Park.
Police will also allege:
- On 19 October 2024, the man and 15-year-old boy drove in a stolen Lexus through glass doors at a convenience store in Longueville and stole cigarettes and tobacco products.
- On Saturday 26 October 2024, the 17-year-old boy stole a Mercedes and Jaguar from a home in Malabar, and the Mercedes was used in a number of break and enters.
- On Wednesday 30 October 2024, the man and 17-year-old boy also allegedly stole cash tills and an ATM from two convenience stores in Wentworth point and Sydney Olympic Park.
