CCTV helps cops ID two teens they allege broke into homes

Tweed Byron Police District Inspector Bobbie Cullen explains how officers caught two teenage boys breaking into homes on a million dollar street with a little help from CCTV.

CCTV CRIME: Officers from Tweed Byron Police District have arrested and charged two teenagers whom they allege were breaking into a property while the residents were asleep I in the early hours of May 19, 2021. File photo: Mclachlan Geoff

CCTV has assisted police catch and charge two teenagers in the early hours of Wednesday whom they allege were breaking into million dollar homes while the residents were asleep.

On Wednesday May 19, Tweed Byron Police District Inspector Bobbie Cullen said the incident occurred a few hours earlier in Kingscliff.

According to Realestate.com.au, properties in Barrel St and surrounding roads can sell for upwards of $2 million.

“About 2.20am Wednesday May 19, two young persons aged 16 years were riding mountain bikes on Barrel Street Kingscliff and CCTV recorded them entering a premise by opening the metal gate, which was closed but unlocked,” she said.

“At the time one of them was wearing dark clothing, a baseball cap and a black face mask covering his face.

“The other young person was wearing dark clothing, a black hooded puffer jacket with the hood over his head, and had latex gloves on.”

Inspector Cullen said police allege that at about 2.26am both teenagers entered the enclosed lands of a residence in Barrel St, Kingscliff, by moving through the pool area and around the front and eastern side of the house, but being unable to enter the building they left a short time later.

“Then about 2.39am, one of the young persons was observed to climb up onto the exterior cement wall fence of the house,” Inspector Cullen said.

“He was observed to look at the house for a short time before they climbed over the fence and into the enclosed yard of the residence in Barrel St, Kingscliff, and cameras capture their movements inside the yard.”

Inspector Cullen said the two young persons were observed going to a glass sliding door on that side of the house.

A short time later at 2.42am as both young person’s stood at the open door, before a dog inside the dwelling barked, scaring both young persons, who immediately ran and jumped over the fence and left the location.

“The owners immediately contacted police who attended immediately and located both young person’s riding mountain bikes in nearby street Cylinders Drive, Kingscliff, approximately 300 metres from the victim’s house,” Inspector Cullen said.

“Police stopped the young person wearing black clothing (including) a black hooded jacket with the hood over his head and wearing yellow coloured latex gloves on both hands.

“He was detained, and when asked why he was out at that time, said he was just out for a ride from Tweed Heads.

“He was placed in the rear of the police vehicle.”

Inspector Cullen said when the other young person returned to where police were he could not supply a reason for being out, and stated that he was out for a ride from Tweed Heads.

Other police attended the victim’s house and information was that one offender had ‘Adidas’ motif on the front of his jumper.

When it was confirmed by officers that one of the youths was wearing the identical hooded jumper he was detained.

Inspector Cullen said police spoke with the young persons, and they informed officers that they attended the area, travelling down from Tweed Heads to Kingscliff and targeting locations to steal money.

“Police submitted both young persons to a search, and allege one was found to have a small resealable bag containing a brownish coloured powder, which he claimed was ‘THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) dust’,” she said.

“Police informed them that they were under arrest for break and enter with intent.”

Inspector Cullen said police returned to Cylinders Dve and located the face mask that a young person threw onto the footpath.

Both young persons were taken to Tweed Heads Police Station and entered into custody.

One of the youths was on conditional bail for the offences including aggravated break and enter, commiting a serious indictable offence in company – steal, aggravated break and enter commiting a serious indictable offence, unlicensed driver x 2, dishonestly obtain property by deception.

He was bailed to appear at Tweed Heads Children’s Court today.

Both youths have been charged with the new offence and are bail refused to appear before Tweed Heads Children’s Court today Wednesday 19 May.