Connor Mauler: Accused car thief, who allegedly woke Balgowlah mum, faces stiffer potential penalties in District Court

An alleged car thief, accused of waking a northern beaches mum while stealing the car keys to her luxury 4WD before leading police on a wild chase, is set to be prosecuted in a higher court.

The Jeep after it crashed into a set of traffic lights on Spit Rd, having allegedly been stolen from a home at Balgowlah Heights. Picture: 7News

A masked man who allegedly entered a Sydney home to steal keys to a luxury 4WD — from beside a sleeping mum — is facing the prospect of a stiffer sentence if convicted after authorities decided to take the case to the NSW District Court.

There were also children in the Balgowlah Heights home when police claim Connor Mauler, 20, broke in.

Police claim he had two accomplices — one aged 14 — when allgedly he entered the house early on August 19.

The woman woke up when someone was in her bedroom taking the keys to a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Manly Local Court heard.

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.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee had its tyres blown by police spikes at The Spit. Picture: 7News

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

Mauler, who is currently remanded in custody, is facing one count each of aggravated break and enter in company, being disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence and being carried in a conveyance taken without the consent of its owner.

Manly Local Court heard on Wednesday that the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had elected to take the matters to the District Court, where higher penalties apply upon conviction.

Mauler is yet to enter pleas to any of the charges.

Police will allege in the Sydney District Court that at about 2.20am on the day in question, Mauler and two other males entered a house in Adrian Pl.

Manly Local Court previously heard the Jeep keys were allegedly taken from a bedroom, waking the woman up.

Three males were seen running from the wreckage. Two were arrested soon after. Picture: 7News.

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.

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

A boy, 14, was later arrested in nearby Pearl Bay Rd, Mosman. He was charged with aggravated break and enter in company, being carried in a conveyance taken without consent, being disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence, and, as a passenger, not disclosing the identity of the driver or other passenger.

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

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

Connor Mauler will appear in the Sydney District Court at the Downing Centre court complex in the Sydney CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Mauler’s Legal Aid solicitor previously told Manly court that “police don’t know who did what and when” in relation to the three alleged offenders.

The police prosecutor said on August 20 that 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 matters have been adjourned for mention to the Downing Centre next month. Mauler did not apply for bail.