A third teenager has been charged after a spate of alleged break and enters in the state's north late last month.
Officers attached to Operation Soteria commenced an investigation following incidents at five homes across Ballina, East Ballina and Skennars Head on the morning of Tuesday 30 December 2025:
- Between 1am and 3am, a Porsche SUV was allegedly stolen from a home on Norton Street in Ballina, and a BMW SUV was allegedly stolen from a home at Skennars Head.
- About 2.15am, car keys and a wallet were allegedly stolen from a home on Pacific Terrace, East Ballina.
- About 2.20am, a group of males allegedly attempted to break into a home on Shelly Beach Road, Ballina. The group were unable to enter the home and left the scene.
- About 3.15am, police were called to a home on Canal Road, Ballina. At the scene, police were told that a group of males forced entry to the home before threatening the occupant, an 87-year-old woman. The group allegedly stole electronics and jewellery and left the scene. No injuries were reported. Police commenced patrols of the area; however, were unable to locate the group.
Police established crime scenes at all locations and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
Following inquiries, the BMW SUV was located abandoned in bushland in Kempsey later that day and was seized for forensic examination.
Following further inquiries, police executed search warrants at houses in Greehills and West Kempsey. Two 15-year-old boys were subsequently arrested and each charged with 13 offences. Both boys remain before the courts.
About 1.10pm yesterday (Thursday 8 January 2026), a 16-year-old boy was arrested outside a home in West Kempsey.
He was taken to Kempsey Police Station where he was charged with 13 offences,
- Aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal (three counts)
- Dishonestly obtain property by deception (three counts)
- Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner (two counts)
- Aggravated commit serious indictable offence in dwelling - use violence
- Enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse
- Destroy or damage property (greater than $5,000 and less than or equal to $15,000)
- Armed with intent commit indictable offence, and
- Common assault
He was refused bail to appear before a children's court today (Friday 9 January 2026).
Inquiries are continuing under Operation Soteria.
