Three-day police blitz targets crime across western and northern NSW, teen hit with 26 charges on Central Coast

Police have charged more than 30 people with 60 offences during a three-day crackdown across known crime hotspots in regional NSW. In a separate operation by the same team a Central Coast teen was charged with 26 offences.

During the three-day operation, a total of 33 people were charged with 60 offences, which included drug, break-and-enter and driving-related offences. Picture: NSW Police.

NSW Police have charged more than 30 people with 60 offences during a sweeping three-day crackdown across western and northern parts of the state under Operation Soteria.

Running from June 26 to June 28, the high-visibility operation focused on known crime hotspots with a strong emphasis on tackling break-and-enter offences, stolen vehicles and so-called “post and boast” crimes where offenders seek notoriety via social media.

Police said 33 people were charged with offences including drug possession, break-and-enter, driving-related crimes and breaches of bail.

Officers also conducted 45 bail compliance checks and issued three infringement notices.

Meanwhile, in a separate investigation still under Operation Soteria umbrella, a 16-year-old boy was arrested and charged with 26 property-related offences.

That investigation was first launched in April after a series of aggravated break and enters and stolen vehicle incidents across the Brisbane Water area.

33 people charged with 60 offences, youth crime targeted in three-day Operation Soteria campaign. Picture: NSW Police

Operation Soteria is a strategic initiative focusing on aggravated break, enter and steal offences, stealing motor vehicles and ‘post and boast’ offences. Picture: NSW Police

After extensive inquires, police arrested the teen at Gosford Police Station on Monday where he was charged with 26 offences.

Some of the charges include, five counts of aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence, eight counts of taking and driving a conveyance and

four counts of committing a Section 154 offence and disseminating material – commonly referred to as “post and boast”.

In last week’s operation by the same squad one of the more serious incidents involved the alleged armed robbery of an 89-year-old man in his home on Wee Waa St Walgett in the early hours of June 24.

Two boys were later arrested in connection with the incident.

A 15-year-old was taken into custody during a raid on June 27 where he was charged with a string of serious offences including aggravated break-and-enter while armed, disguising intent to commit an indictable offence, car theft, police pursuit and breach of bail.
He was refused bail and will face a children’s court on July 7.

An hour later, a 14-year-old boy was arrested over a separate aggravated break and enter incident on June 19, also in Walgett.

A mobile phone seized during the search allegedly linked him to the earlier June 24 robbery but he was granted conditional bail and will face court on July 14.

In Dubbo, an 18-year-old man was arrested after members of the public reported seeing someone carrying a gun.

Police allegedly found a replica firearm on him and he was charged with firearm offences and is due to appear in Dubbo Local Court on August 6.

Operation Soteria is an ongoing operation which continues to monitor and respond to issues across the northern and western police regions. Picture: NSW Police.

During the three-day operation, a total of 33 people were charged with 60 offences, which included drug, break-and-enter and driving-related offences. Picture: NSW Police.

Later that night, a 33-year-old man was arrested in the grounds of a Whylandra St motel after allegedly being spotted looking into parked cars.

He was allegedly carrying tools commonly used in thefts, a balaclava and methamphetamine.

He now faces multiple charges including drug possession, possessing break-in tools and breach of bail and will appear in court on July 16.

A separate incident on Thompson St Dubbo, led to the arrest of a 27-year-old man after a short foot chase where was charged with five offences including domestic violence-related assault, drug possession, carrying a knife in public and breaching an apprehended domestic violence order.

He remains in custody ahead of his next court date on July 15.

Operation Soteria is designed to co-ordinate the response to serious property and vehicle crimes across northern and western NSW.

Police have indicated the operation will continue in the coming months with further action expected.

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Originally published as Three-day police blitz targets crime across western and northern NSW, teen hit with 26 charges on Central Coast