Two teenage boys have been arrested and charged under Operation Soteria with multiple break and enter offences following a police pursuit in the Illawarra.
About 7am yesterday (Thursday 16 April 2026), police saw a vehicle – which had been reported stolen – at the intersection of Ellengowan Crescent and Maxwell Street, Fairy Meadow.
Officers approached the vehicle; however, will allege the driver accelerated into a nearby field.
A short time later officers saw the car coming out of Tobruk Street, Balgownie; when the driver allegedly failed to stop a pursuit was initiated.
It was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
The car came to a stop after hitting a retaining wall at the rear of a home in Weekes Street, Balgownie.
The pair allegedly fled on foot before being arrested nearby at a petrol station on Balgownie Road, Balgownie.
Two boys, both aged 15, were taken to Wollongong Police Station.
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.
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.
They were refused bail and appeared before a children's court yesterday (Thursday 17 April 2026).
The first boy was formally refused bail to appear in a children's court on Thursday 23 April 2026.
The second boy was formally refused bail to appear in a children's court on Tuesday 21 April
Police will allege in court the pair were involved in the alleged break and enter of a house and attempted break and enter of a unit in Marr Street, Wollongong, about 4.40am yesterday. About 6:15am on the same day, police will allege they broke into a house in Bourke Street, North Wollongong, allegedly stealing keys and a car.
