Guardians for three youths charged over crime-spree concerned for their return home as they seek bail

The mother of a 12-year-old boy charged with two teenagers over a cross-city crime spree fears having him back in the house and no longer has knives at home, a court has heard.

The guardians of three youths charged over a wild cross-city crime spree are concerned about having them return home, with the mother of a 12-year-old saying she no longer keeps knives in the house and fears for her other children.

The crime spree included the theft of an Uber, a servo hold-up and home break-in in the northern suburbs, all while the accused – aged 12 and 16 – wielded “swords”, Elizabeth Magistrates Court heard on Thursday evening.

On Thursday Magistrate Lana Chester heard in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court

The trio spent Thursday night behind bars after the prosecutors told the court the children’s separate guardians were worried about having them back at home, with the mother of one fearing her and her children’s safety.

A police officer with evidence at the scene in Craigmore. Picture: 7NEWS

“Although he is only 12 years of age, the investigating officer has spoken to the mother … She’s got concerns for herself and the other children at the address, and it’s on that basis we oppose bail,” the prosecutors said.

“She advises she doesn’t keep any knives in the house, when she is cooking she has to break things up with her bare hands … because her son takes them and commits offences with them.”

According to prosecutors, the grandmother of the 16-year-old from Andrews Farm “no longer wants anything to do with him” as she “can’t control him.”

They told the court the parents of the third boy, from Aldgate, would have him home only if he was on home detention bail because when restrictions previously lifted he “went off the rails”.

The crime spree went from Blackwood, to Glenelg, to Paralowie and Craigmore.

The wild crime spree started just before 1am on Thursday morning, when a Blackwood resident heard banging and discovered an male figure in a grey hoodie and gloves attempting to open their bathroom window.

Police alleged the figure was the 16-year-old from Aldgate.

The court heard the trio called an Uber using a phone alleged to belong to the 12-year-old’s younger brother, which collected the three boys and drove them to Glenelg.

When they stopped at an intersection in Glenelg, police allege they pulled what the driver described as “swords” from their pants and held them to his throat.

The court heard the driver was told to remove his watch, log out of his Apple ID and Uber app on his iPhone, before one opened the driver’s door and told him to get out. He then fled toward Jetty Rd.

Other items including a second phone, wallet, Apple watch and Airpods valued at $3000 were later found in the car.

It is alleged the boys then drove the stolen car to the Paralowie OTR off Port Wakefield Rd about 2.40am and two of them entered the service station and approached the attendant to purchase items, but drew their swords and demanded the money in the register.

When they were told “no” they threatened the attendant, the court heard, who then opened the register. They then allegedly both jumped the counter and directed each other to take the cigarettes.

The attendant was not harmed.

Police outside one of the homes targeted in the crime spree.. Picture: 7NEWS

Prosecution alleged the youths then drove the stolen vehicle to an address in Craigmore, cut power to the property and broke into the house.

The court heard that about 3.30am, the home’s occupant heard banging outside, and saw a figure standing at the glass sliding door outside his bedroom, holding a 30cm machete.

The witness then realised the power had been cut and CCTV inoperable.

Police were called and allegedly found the boys in the laundry room, where they were arrested.

Defence council for the boys and Youth Justice had not yet had the chance to confirm concerns of their client’s guardians, the court heard.

Courtney Traeger, for the Andrews Farm boy, told the court her client’s grandmother had retained her firm on behalf of the 16-year-old and was not aware there was no place for him at her home.

“Unfortunately I believe there may be some conflicting information, we were of the belief she was willing to have him at her address,” Ms Traeger said.

A representative from Youth Justice told the court she had been unable to make contact with the boy’s grandmother.

She also said attempts had not been made to contact the mother of the 12-year-old from Elizabeth Downs.

Magistrate Chester ordered a home detention report for the Aldgate youth and adjourned the bail applications to the Adelaide Youth Court for all three youths.

They will return to court at a later date.