FOUR teenagers are facing almost 20 charges between them after they were arrested in Newcastle by the police squad set up to tackle serious property crime.
Operation Regional Mongoose moved on the four teenagers, aged between 15 and 17, this week after investigating an alleged break-in and stolen car chase on the weekend.
Newcastle police were first called to a home on Minimbah Close at Wallsend just after midnight on Saturday, November 2, after reports a Nissan X-Trail four-wheel-drive had been stolen from the property.
About 3am the next morning, the vehicle was allegedly involved in a police chase on Wilkinson Avenue at Birmingham Gardens, but managed to escape.
Police investigating the alleged break-in and chase went to a property in Jesmond at about 7am on November 4, where they arrested a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl.
A 40-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were also arrested at the home at the time for unrelated matters, according to police.
Further inquiries led police to a unit on Blue Gum Road at Jesmond at about 8pm on November 5, where another two 17-year-old boys were arrested in connection with the X-Trail investigation.
Operation Regional Mongoose is a high-visibility police operation tackling serious property-related crime committed mostly by young offenders.
Dedicated teams of officers work across the state, and Operation Mongoose was stood up in the Newcastle and Hunter areas in response to property crime.
The four teenagers were taken to Waratah Police Station.
One of the 17-year-old boys was charged with one count of aggravated break-and-enter in company and steal, and one attempted; one count of taking and driving a car without consent; driving while never licenced; and police pursuit.
He was refused bail and will remain in custody on remand until facing children's court again in December.
The other two 17-year-olds and the 15-year-old were each charged with joyriding in a stolen car.
The 15-year-old girl was also charged with two counts of shoplifting and was granted strict bail to front children's court next week.
The two 17-year-olds were charged with one count each of aggravated break-and-enter and steal, and two attempted; and one count each of larceny. One was also charged with possessing a prohibited drug and was refused bail to face children's court next week. The other was granted strict conditional bail to appear at children's court later in the month.
The 39-year-old woman was charged with breaching bail and remained in custody on remand ahead of her next court date on November 14.
The 40-year-old man was charged with taking and driving a car without consent, and was refused bail to front Newcastle Local Court on Friday, November 8.
Operation Regional Mongoose continues and anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report via the online page.
