Ryan Tosh charged with stealing cars and break-ins in Illawarra, Sutherland

An 18-year-old Bellambi man was allegedly involved in a series of break-ins of cars and homes throughout the Illawarra and Sutherland on an 11-day ‘rampage of stupidity’.

Bellambi man Ryan Tosh, 18, made a bail application in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday, March 16 2023 after he was arrested for allegedly broke into multiple homes in the Illawarra. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A teenager has wept while claiming he would “die” in prison if not granted bail after he went on a “rampage” of break-ins across two weeks, a court has heard.

Ryan Tosh, 18, made a release application in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday after he was arrested for allegedly entering homes while people slept, stealing cars and belongings from Illawarra and Sutherland suburbs.

The unemployed Bellambi teen faces 14 serious charges including aggravated break and enter committing a serious indictable offence while people were there; three counts of aggravated break and enter committing serious indictable offence in company where property worth more than $60,000 was stolen and entering vehicles without consent.

A police statement of facts alleges between February 26 and March 8, Tosh was involved in a series of break ins of cars and homes with other unknown men, stealing a Toyota Rav 4 and Mazda CX-5 from homes in Engadine.

Tosh allegedly broke into a Sutherland home on February 27 where the homeowners were woken to find torch lights shining in the house about 3.30am.

They saw two men, one police allege was Tosh, inside their home with their faces covered before they chased them outside.

The unemployed Bellambi teen faces 14 serious charges. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Police allege the men stole AirPods, a leather wallet, $300 in cash, a drivers licence, three bank cards and keys from the home before the belongings were later recovered at Tosh’s Bellambi home, according to the statement of facts.

Police further allege Tosh tried to enter multiple vehicles in Menai, was a passenger inside stolen cars, ransacked a car in Engadine and stole fuel from a Corrimal petrol station.

It is alleged Tosh used a credit card he had stolen from inside a car and used it to purchase phone credit.

Tosh allegedly stole two mountain bikes worth $6000 from a Gerringong home while another man’s Gerringong home was allegedly broken into with his keys and car stolen on March 8.

The car was recovered at Bunnings in Bellambi on March 9 with Tosh’s fingerprints allegedly found on the door handle.

The documents further state investigators said they found CCTV footage allegedly showing Tosh during many of the incidents, along with forensic evidence, clothing and phone records placing him at scenes.

Police said the alleged victims were traumatised and suffering financial stress.

Ryan Tosh will return to court later this month. Picture: Steven Bell

Court documents state Tosh told police during an interview, “you think I’m the only person doing this, all the boys do it. You only got me. I’m not helping, you want names, but I won’t tell you”.

The court heard Tosh had no criminal history but faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Magistrate Claire Girotto granted Tosh bail because of his age and family support.

“He tells me he has learnt his lesson. It was a two week rampage of stupidity,” she said.

Tosh said in court, “I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done” and “I’m scared (of jail)” and “I know I’ll die in there”.

He was bailed to live with his sister in Rosemeadow and could work as a sweeper in a glass factory.

Tosh was placed on house arrest and can only leave in the company of his sister and brother-in-law.

The case was adjourned to later this month.