NSW POLICE
Ten people have been charged as part of Operation Regional Mongoose in the State’s Illawarra.
Operation Regional Mongoose is a high-visibility police operation to tackle serious property-related crime committed predominately by young offenders.
In June, the operation was established in the Illawarra to investigate offenders across the Wollongong and Lake Illawarra Police Districts, with assistance from the Region Enforcement Squad.
Notable results from the Operation include:
– About 11.50pm yesterday (30 June), officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command attended a home in Blacktown and arrested a 16-year-old girl. She was taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with face blackened/disguised with intent to commit indictable offence, enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner, larceny value less than $2000 and take and drive conveyance without consent of owners. She was granted conditional bail to appear before a Children’s Court tomorrow (2 July). Police will allege she was involved in the theft of a Jeep Grand Cherokee station wagon in Bankbook drive, Wongawilli and allegedly stole money from a vehicle in Omaroo Place, Horsley, earlier this month.
– About 2.30am on (18 June), police were called to Wentworth Street, Shellharbour following reports of a break and enter, after car keys, a wallet and a car were allegedly stolen. Following inquiries, about 9.10am on (26 June), officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District with assistance from Region Enforcement Squad and Wollongong Police District executed a search warrant a home in Shellharbour. A 16-year-old male was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station. He was charged with 14 offences, including larceny (four counts), aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence -people there (two counts), take and drive conveyance without consent of owner (three counts), enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner (three counts), goods suspected stolen in/on promises (not motor vehicle) and possess prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear at a Children’s Court on Tuesday 9 July. Police will allege the car was used to steal from multiple motor vehicles.
– About 1.55am on (15 June), officers attached Lake Illawarra Police District executed a search warrant in Mummuga Close, Flinders. Police allegedly seized an air rifle, ammunition, fireworks, explosives and cannabis. Police also seized a motorcycle, credit cards and keys, all alleged to be stolen. A 19-year-old man was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station. He was charged with four counts of goods suspected stolen in/on premises, possess unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm, not keep firearm safely-not pistol/prohibited firearm, possess prohibited drug, possess ammunition w/o holding licence/permit/authority and handle explosive/precursor without authorising. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday 24 July.
– About 9am (13 June), officers executed a search warrant at a home on Kyeema Avenue, Koonawarra. Officers seized a sawn off shotgun, ammunition and two cars alleged to be stolen. A 23-year-old man was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station. He was charged with two counts drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, dishonestly obtain property by deception, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority, not keep firearm safely-not pistol/prohibited firearm and possess ammunition without holding license/permit/authority. He appeared before Wollongong Local Court on Friday 14 June and was refused bail to appear at the same court on Tuesday 23 July.
As investigations continue, Lake Illawarra Police District Acting Commander Detective Chief Inspector Brad Ainsworth is reminding residents to take precautions, to ensure you don’t become the target of opportunistic thieves.
“Don’t become an easy target, please lock your cars, don’t leave valuables in plain sight, never leave house keys or garage remoted in your car to allow access in to your home. If your car is parked outside, make sure you leave it in well-lit area where possible,” he said.
Investigations as part of Operation Regional Mongoose continue, with more arrests expected.
Anyone with information about Operation Regional Mongoose is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
