A LUXURY car stolen from Newcastle was allegedly used in a crime spree which spanned hundreds of kilometres and involved armed robberies and vehicle thefts. Login or signup to continue reading Two teenagers, aged 16 and 18, were arrested in South Tamworth on Monday morning after a dangerous two-day ordeal allegedly unfolded. The police case is that aspects of the alleged violent rampage were documented on camera and shared.
New England police were first alerted when a white Ford Everest was stolen from a Moree motel just after 2.20am on Saturday, August 17. A pursuit was sparked when the 2024-model vehicle was seen on the Gwydir Highway, but was called off amid safety concerns.
Hours later, at about 11pm, the Ford and a silver Mazda CX 30, which had been stolen from Queensland, were seen in Boggabilla travelling north towards the border. Police deployed roadspikes in a bid to stop the vehicles but both managed to escape. Investigating officers discovered both of those SUVs, and a black Ford Mustang sedan, were involved in several break-ins in Goondoowindi and dangerous driving incidents in Boggabilla earlier that day.
The sedan was found burnt out at Boggabillat at about 6.20am, according to police. Just after the midnight on Sunday, August 18, police were called to a motel at Moree after reports two men had broken into a room, threatened the occupants and stole an Audi Q5.
Police were told the men fled in the Audi and the Ford SUV that had been stolen the day before. Officers were called to a service station at Bellata at about 1.20am after four people forced their way in, stole food and drinks, then left in three stolen SUVs before police arrived.
The Ford and the Audi were brought to a stop on the Newell Highway after roadspikes were deployed, but all the occupants ran from the scene. The Mazda was abandoned on a Moree street and was found just before 2am. All vehicles were seized by police to undergo forensic examination.
After their escape, police received reports the offenders may be travelling in a black Porsche SUV which was reported stolen from the Newcastle area on Saturday. Extensive investigations led Oxley police officers to a home in South Tamworth at about 11am on Monday, August 19, where the 16-year-old and 18-year-old boys were arrested. The Porsche that had been taken and driven from Newcastle to the north west was then found in West Tamworth and a 17-year-old was arrested nearby, police said.
The younger teenager was charged with aggravated armed break and enter, armed robbery, joyriding in a stolen car, and committing a "post and boast" offence. He spent the night in custody and was ordered to front a children's court today. The two other young men were charged with unrelated offences.
The 18-year-old will face Coonamble Local Court today, while the 17-year-old appeared in a children's court on Monday. Police are still tracking some other males they believe could assist in their investigations, who were last seen wearing black or grey hooded jumpers and/or puffer vests, black or grey pants and sneakers. Anyone with information about any of these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
There are strike force detectives dedicated to investigating offences like break-ins and vehicle thefts across the Hunter and in other parts of the state, working under Operation Regional Mongoose , sharing intelligence between police districts and backing up local officers. Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.
com.au Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.
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