Two men will appear in court tomorrow after several break-ins at businesses around the Lake Illawarra region early this morning, NSW Police say.
About 5.30am today, a fast food restaurant on the Princes Highway, Dapto, was broken into and cash was stolen.
Just before 6am, a pawn shop in a shopping centre on Holm Place, Shellharbour, was broken into and numerous electronic items were stolen, including laptop computers and mobile phones.
A short time later, two men attempted to enter a white goods business on Shellharbour Road, Warilla, however; they were unsuccessful.
It’s alleged they rammed the roller door of a fishing business nearby, activating an alarm.
Police from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command attended and observed a stolen gold Nissan Pathfinder at the rear of the fishing business.
The driver of the Nissan allegedly rammed the police vehicle, causing significant damage.
About 6.20am, police were notified the Nissan crashed into a tree on Sophia Street at Shellharbour.
With the assistance of the Dog Unit, two men – aged 19 and 23 – were arrested on a track near Shellharbour Road.
A large amount of stolen property and clothing was located nearby and seized by officers.
The men were taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where the older man was charged with 11 offences, including take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence (x4), and destroy or damage property (x2).
The younger man was charged with eight offences including be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence (x4), and destroy or damage property (x2).
They were both refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court tomorrow.
