Port Macquarie break-ins: $50k in goods allegedly stolen, three arrested

Three people have been arrested by Port Macquarie police after a string of break-and-enters saw a haul of $50,000 in goods allegedly stolen.

Three men have been charged following a string of break and enters across the Mid North Coast.

The men are accused of breaking into three Port Macquarie homes in the early hours of April 8 and April 9, allegedly stealing over $50,000 worth of personal possessions.

Port Macquarie police have arrested and charged three men.

The allegations include:

• About 1am on Friday, three men allegedly forced entry into a home on Newport Cres and stole a safe containing jewellery, medals, and other family heirlooms valued at up to $30,000.
• In the early hours of Saturday, they allegedly broke into a home on Kennedy Dr and stole an Apple iPad, bank cards and a purple women’s mountain bike before fleeing.
• Also on Saturday, the men allegedly forced entry into another home on Newport Cres, ransacking the premise before stealing over $20,000 worth of items.

Officers attached to the Mid North Coast police district were notified and launched investigations into each incident.

Following inquiries, at about 5.20pm on April 12, officers attended a home on Muston St Port Macquarie where they arrested two men.

The 25 and 26-year-old were allegedly found hiding in separate rooms of the house.

Police then executed a search warrant where a number of items were seized including iPads, mobile phones, digital cameras, clothing, a safe, cannabis, prescription medication, jewellery and emergency service medals, all believed to be stolen goods.

The men were taken to Port Macquarie police station, where the older man was charged with eight offences including aggravated break and enter, dishonestly obtain property by deception, supply prohibited drug, and goods suspected stolen on premises.

He was refused bail before appearing at Port Macquarie local court on April 13, where he was formally bail refused to reappear at the same court on Wednesday, April 27.

The younger man was charged with goods suspected stolen on premises.

Thousands of dollars worth of goods were allegedly stolen, with many since recovered, from around the Port Macquarie area.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Port Macquarie local court on Wednesday, May 11.

Following further investigations, police executed a second search warrant at a Port Macquaire home, where they arrested a 16-year-old youth.

During the search, police located credit cards, jewellery, mobile phones, car keys and tablet devices believed to have been stolen from a property on Kennedy Dr.

The 16-year-old was taken to Port Macquarie police station and charged with five offences including receiving stolen property, fraud, goods in custody and assault police.

He was refused bail to appear at Port Macquarie local court on April 14.

Port Macquarie police district Detective Inspector Peter O‘Reilly say the string of break-and-enters is not related to the Easter holidays, which has caused an influx of tourists to the local area this month.

Investigations are ongoing, with police anticipating further arrests – Det Insp O’Reilly estimates another two or three – to be made.

Mid North Coast police officers are continuing to target property offences through high-visibility operations.

Officers thanked the community for their help so far in the investigation, and remind the local public to stay vigilant at this time.

“Just remember to keep an eye out,” Det Insp Peter O‘Reilly said.

He is also encouraging the rightful owners of the stolen goods to come forward.

Anyone with information about property offences is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.