Police have arrested five youths after three cars were allegedly stolen and involved in pursuits with police and fail-to-pay offences in the state's north-west.
Officers from Oxley Police District commenced an investigation after reports a Mitsubishi Triton had been stolen from a home in Ironbark Road, Muswellbrook, and driven to Tamworth early yesterday (Thursday 24 November 2022).
At the same time, a Toyota Hilux utility was allegedly stolen from a home in Darien Avenue, Hillvue, and a Peugot sedan was allegedly stolen from Browns Lane in Moore Creek.
Police will allege in court that the cars filled up with petrol at a service station in Taminda before driving off without paying.
It will further be alleged that police detected the vehicles driving dangerously through Tamworth and, when they failed to stop as directed by police, a pursuit was initiated. It was terminated shortly after due to safety concerns.
The vehicles were later found in Green Street, West Tamworth.
Following a short foot pursuit, officers arrested three boys – aged 16, 15 and 13 – nearby. They were taken to Tamworth Police Station.
The 16-year-old boy was charged with aggravated break and enter, obtain benefit by deception, be carried in conveyance without consent of owner, two counts of trespass and breach of bail.
The 15-year-old boy was charged with aggravated break and enter.
The 13-year-old boy was charged with aggravated break and enter, trespass, and breach of bail.
All three were refused bail to appear before a Children's Court today (Friday 25 November 2022).
A short time later, investigators attended a home in West Tamworth. A 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were arrested at the property and taken to Tamworth Police Station.
The boy was charged with breach of bail and refused bail to appear before a children's court today.
The girl will be dealt with under the Youth Offenders Act.
Investigations are continuing.
