Connor Mauler, 20: Alleged car thief woke home alone mum as he stole keys from her bedside table in Balgowlah Heights

A Sydney woman, at home with her children, was woken as alleged thieves — one as young as 14 — crept into her bedroom to steal the keys to a 4WD before crashing it during a wild police pursuit. See what happened in court.

A Jeep, containing a man, 20, a boy, 14, and a third person, crashed into a set of traffic lights on Spit Rd at Beauty Point during a police chase. Picture: 7News

A masked man allegedly broke into a Sydney home and stole the keys to a high-powered 4WD from a beside table next to a sleeping mum.

There were also children asleep in the Balgowlah Heights home when police claim Connor Mauler, 20, and two accomplices — one aged 14 — entered the house early on Monday morning.

The woman woke up when someone was in her bedroom taking the keys to a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Mauler, of Kings Creek, near Port Macquarie, was then allegedly involved in a wild police car chase on the northern beaches and lower north shore before the 4WD speared into traffic lights at The Spit.

Its tyres had been blown by police road spikes near The Spit Bridge during the pursuit.

Three males were seen running from the Jeep after it crashed into a set of traffic lights on Spit Rd at Beauty Point. Picture; 7News

Mr Mauler made a bail application in Manly Local Court on Tuesday where he was facing one count each of aggravated break and enter in company (steal less than $60,000), face disguised with intent to commit indictable offence and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

He did not enter any pleas.

Police will allege in court that at about 2.20am on Monday, Mauler and two others males entered a house in Adrian Pl, Balgowlah Heights

Manly court heard that the keys to the Jeep were allegedly taken from a bedroom, waking the woman up.

A short time later, officers saw the car travelling north along Belgrave St, Manly. They tried to stop the vehicle, but it drove on and a pursuit was initiated.

The Jeep’s tyres had been blown by police road spikes. Picture: 7News

After the Jeep hit the traffic lights, three males were seen running from the wreckage and Mauler was arrested.

A boy, 14, was later arrested in nearby Pearl Bay Rd, Mosman. The teen was charged with

aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, face disguised with intent commit indictable offence and passenger not disclose driver’s/other passenger’s identity.

He was refused bail to appear at a children’s court on Monday.

The third occupant of the allegedly stolen car is yet to be arrested.

During a bail application, Mauler’s Legal Aid solicitor said his client had moved, a month ago, near Port Macquarie to live with his father and get away from “influences” in Sydney.

The solicitor said Mauler was also addicted to the prescribed medication, benzodiazepine — nervous system depressants normally used in the short term treatment of stress, anxiety or insomnia.

He also argued that “police don’t know who did what and when” in relation to the three alleged offenders.

The police prosecutor, in opposing bail, said while it was conceded that it could not be confirmed which member of the group “did what”, police would rely on a “joint criminal enterprise” argument.

“The woman was alone with children,” the prosecutor told the court.

“One of the group went to the bedroom while she was sleeping, took the keys and woke her up.”

The prosecutor said all three had their faces “disguised”.

Magistrate John Andrews refused Mr Mauler bail.

The matters have been adjourned for mention to Manly Local Court on September 4.