A teenage boy will face court today and another two have been charged under Operation Soteria for alleged property and traffic offences near Coffs Harbour.
Between 12.20am and 1.20am on Tuesday 26 August 2025, three properties in Sawtell were the subject of attempted break and enter offences.
About 1.20am that morning, a vehicle was allegedly stolen from a home in Sawtell after a spare key was stolen from a nearby unlocked vehicle.
The vehicle was later recovered after it crashed into a tree on Lyons Road at Sawtell a short time later. No injuries were reported.
About 2.30am, a vehicle was allegedly stolen from a home in Sawtell after a key was obtained from an unlocked home.
Coffs/Clarence Police were notified and attempted to stop the vehicle on Hogbin Drive, Coffs Harbour.
When the driver allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued to Bonville where tyre spikes were deployed, and the vehicle came to a stop.
Two passengers – both aged 14 – were arrested and taken to Coffs harbour Police Station, while the driver allegedly fled into bushland.
Both were charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
They were refused bail to appear before a children's court on Tuesday 26 August 2025 where they were granted strict conditional bail to appear before a children's court on Monday 8 September 2025.
Following inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home in Coffs Harbour on Friday 29 August 2025.
During the search, police allegedly located and seized several items of interest.
Following further inquiries, a 15-year-old boy was arrested at Coffs Harbor Police Station about 11am yesterday (Monday 1 September 2025).
He was charge with 16 offences,
- Armed with intent commit indictable offence (four counts)
- Face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence (four counts)
- Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner (two counts)
- Never licensed person drive vehicle on road (two counts)
- Negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm)
- Aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence
- Police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously, and
- Larceny.
He was refused bail to appear before a children's court today (Tuesday 2 September 2025).
