Seven youths have been charged with traffic, stealing, break and enter and larceny-related offences in the state's Central West over the weekend.
In April 2023, officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District established Operation Rhino, targeting property-related crime in the Dubbo area.
Officers attached to the Operation Rhino initiated inquiries into reports of break and enters, stolen cars and pursuits throughout Dubbo, with two police vehicles also damaged during a pursuit.
Following inquiries, officers arrested a 13-year-old boy about 2.50pm Sunday (11 June 2023), with a 16-year-old boy arrested about 1am yesterday (Monday 12 June 2023).
Both boys were taken to Dubbo Police Station and charged with four counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling in company/steal, two counts of steal motor vehicle, aggravated break and enter dwelling in company intend steal, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, dishonestly obtain property by deception and, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously.
Following further inquiries, about 1.30pm yesterday (12 June 2023), officers executed a search warrant at a home in Dubbo and arrested two boys aged 15 and 17. They were both taken to Dubbo Police Station.
The older youth was charged with five counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal, aggravated break and enter dwelling in company intend steal, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, steal motor vehicle, dishonestly obtain property by deception, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, three counts of predatory driving and, three counts of use offensive weapon in company to prevent detention.
The other boy was charged with four counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal, two counts of take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, dishonestly obtain property by deception, aggravated break and enter with intent-in company-not steal, aggravated break and enter dwelling in company intend steal and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.
About 2.45am yesterday (Monday 12 June 2023), officers were patrolling Dubbo township when they attempted to stop a white SUV on Alcheringa Street.
When it failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated. The car was pursued throughout Dubbo to Narromine, and as the car was returning to Dubbo, spikes were successfully deployed.
The vehicle came to a stop after entering a rail corridor on Victoria Street and was located abandoned and still running.
Following a search of the area, three boys were arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station.
A 17-year-old boy was charged with steal motor vehicle and larceny.
A 16-year-old was charged with steal motor vehicle, larceny value, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, possess housebreaking implements and face blackened/disguised with intent to commit indictable offence.
The other boy, aged 15, was charged with steal motor vehicle, larceny value, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, possess housebreaking implements and face blackened/disguised with intent to commit indictable offence.
Five of the boys were also charged with breach of bail.
All seven boys were refused bail to appear at a children's court today (Tuesday 13 June 2023).
Inquiries under Operation Rhino continue.
Anyone with information about property crime within the region 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.
