Police arrested and charged two 15-year-olds who they allege were involved in multiple break and enters around Wollongong. Photo: Julia Gomina.
Two teenage boys have been charged with multiple break and enter offences after a short police pursuit around Balgownie involving an allegedly stolen vehicle.
Police saw a vehicle which had been reported stolen at the intersection of Ellengowan Crescent and Maxwell Street in Fairy Meadow at about 7 am on Thursday (16 April), however when officers approached it the driver allegedly accelerated into a nearby field.
The car was again located a short time later coming out of Tobruk Street in Balgownie, and when the driver allegedly failed to stop a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
The allegedly stolen car came to a stop after hitting a retaining wall at the rear of a home in Weekes Street in Balgownie, with two 15-year-olds allegedly fleeing on foot before being arrested nearby at a petrol station on Balgownie Road and taken to Wollongong Police Station.
Police will allege in court the pair were involved in a number of break and enter offences in the hours leading up to the pursuit including the break and enter of a house and attempted break and enter of a unit in Marr Street in Wollongong around 4:40 am, and breaking into a house on Bourke Street North Wollongong where keys and a car were allegedly stolen at 6:15 am.
“One boy has been charged with two counts aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company intend steal, face blackened/disguised within intent to commit indictable offence, enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence, drive conveyance taken without the consent of the owner, unlicensed driver, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
“The second boy was charged with two counts of aggravated break and enter with intent to steal, face blackened/disguised within intent to commit indictable offence, enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence, be carried in conveyance taken without the consent of the owner, and breach of bail.”
Both boys were refused bail before a children’s court on Thursday (16 April).
The first boy will appear back in court on Thursday (23 April), and the second on Tuesday (21 April).
A great article, Jeremy. A key step in Wollongong’s growth as a viable alternative to living in… View