Teen robber steals from surf club while on supervised beach outing

A jailed teen robber on a supervised pre-release beach outing outsmarted three juvenile justice supervisors when he allegedly stole from a surf club till.

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A jailed teenage robber on a beach outing managed to outsmart his three juvenile justice supervisor and steal a money bag from a surf club till.

The detainee from Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre was on an approved prerelease excursion with one other detainee last Sunday when the incident is alleged to have occurred.

According to Juvenile Justice NSW, the pair were in the North Entrance Surf Life Life Saving Club when one teen asked to get a glass of water before allegedly stealing a money bag containing $60 and disguising it in a towel.

A detainee at Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre allegedly stole cash while on a beach outing. Picture: Generic image/Tim Hunter

Three departmental supervisors failed to see the alleged theft, with authorities only notified by the surf club after it inspected CCTV footage.

A Juvenile Justice spokeswoman said the matter had been referred to police, with investigations continuing.

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The detainee had also been moved to a different unit, while the department had revoked his outings and privileges, she said.

"The detainee was getting a glass of water when it is alleged that he took and concealed the money inside a towel,” she said.

“The matter has been referred to the police.”

Pre-release programs were used to help detainees in their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community upon release, she said.

The alleged theft occurred at North Entrance Surf Life Life Saving Club. Picture: Adam Molony

She said a detainee needed to pass a risk assessment to be approved for leave, including an assessment of their recent behaviour and classification.

The incident comes one month after a convicted teen rapist on an approved excursion to a Central Coast beach attempted to chat to a female sunbaker.

A juvenile justice source questioned the selection of detainees given approval to attend community outings.

“Why is Baxter still pursuing sending detainees on significant charges on outings to beach settings,” the source said.

“Where was the supervision of staff?

“This once again threatens the safety of the community let alone theft from a community organisation that can least afford this.”