Two teenage boys have been charged following a spate of alleged property offences on the Mid North Coast this week.
Earlier this week, police attached to Operation Soteria began an investigation after reports of property offences in Port Macquarie and Kempsey.
About 10.40pm on Monday 12 January 2026, a group of teenage boys were depicted on CCTV allegedly trying to enter properties and a vehicle on The Anchorage, The Peninsular, and Portside Crescent in Port Macquarie.
Shortly after midnight on Tuesday 13 January 2026, the group allegedly entered a property on River Park Road in Port Macquarie. The occupants of the home – a man and woman aged in their 80s – were allegedly threatened with a knife before electronics and a vehicle were stolen by the group. No injuries were reported.
Police attached to Mid North Coast Police District commenced inquiries into the incidents and subsequently located the vehicle abandoned in West Kempsey.
The following night, between 9.30pm on Tuesday 13 January 2026 and 5am yesterday (Wednesday 14 January 2026), three further property offences were reported at three homes on Springfield Drive in Greenhill.
During the incidents, credit cards and two vehicles were allegedly stolen from one of the homes.
Shortly after 7am yesterday (Wednesday 14 January 2026), police located the two vehicles abandoned – one in Greenhill and one in West Kempsey.
A short time later, police arrested two boys aged 14 and 16 at homes in Kempsey and took them to Kempsey Police Station.
The younger boy was charged with 11 offences,
- Two counts of break and enter dwelling-house etc with intent
- Two counts of enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence
- Two counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal
- Enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence
- Aggravated break and enter with intent-in company-steal etc
- Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner
- Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, and
- Enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner/occupier.
The older boy was charged with nine offences,
- Two counts of enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence
- Aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal
- Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal)
- Destroy or damage property
- Armed with intent commit indictable offence
- Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner
- Learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester, and
- Learner driver not display "L" plates as prescribed.
Both boys were refused bail to appear before a children's court today (Thursday 15 January 2026).
Inquiries under Operation Soteria continue.
