Teens charged over alleged armed robberies at brothels in Wollongong, Pendle Hill, Fairfield, Villawood

Three teens who allegedly wielded weapons when they stormed brothels across Wollongong and western Sydney will front court.

Three teens are due to front children’s courts on Friday after they were charged with armed robberies across brothels.

Three teenage boys who allegedly wielded knives and axes when they stormed brothels in Sydney’s west and Wollongong have been charged.

Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives charged the boys after an investigation into several alleged armed robberies at brothels within a week in February.

Police said shortly before 2am on Wednesday, February 8, two people attended a business on West St, Wollongong, before they allegedly threatened a 54-year-old man working at the brothel with knives and demanded cash.

The employee was allegedly stabbed in the leg before the pair fled the scene.

About 1.30am on Wednesday, February 15, two people attended a premises on Ballandella Rd, Pendle Hill, before one allegedly threatened an employee with a knife and an axe, and the other threatened another worker with a knife. They allegedly demanded cash before the pair left the scene in a white ute.

About 45 minutes later, two people attended a business on Alan St, Fairfield, before they allegedly threatened a 61-year-old male employee – one armed with an axe and the other armed with a knife. They allegedly stole cash and a mobile phone before fleeing the scene in a white ute.

About 15 minutes later, two people attended a business at Christina Rd, Villawood, where they allegedly threatened a 34-year-old male employee, armed with a knife and an axe.

Police alleged the employee was struck to the head several times before the pair stole cash and an electronic tablet.

Police will allege two more businesses were targeted in attempted armed robberies at Clyde and Rydalmere that same morning.

Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives searched a home in Marayong about 8am on Thursday.

Two teenage boys – aged 16 and 17 – were arrested at the home and taken to Riverstone police station.

The older boy was charged with eight offences including aggravated robbery with wounding/grievous bodily harm, robbery and attempted robbery armed with offensive weapon, larceny, and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

The younger boy was charged with nine offences including robbery and attempted robbery armed with offensive weapon, larceny, driving and being carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, and dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

A third teenage boy, aged 16, was arrested at a home in Kyeemagh later in the day and was taken to Kogarah police station.

He was charged with seven offences including aggravated robbery with wounding/grievous bodily harm, robbery and attempted robbery armed with an offensive weapon, and being carried in conveyance taken without consent of the owner.

The three teens were refused bail to appear at children’s courts on Friday.