Police investigating carjacking of magistrate Robert Stone link TikTok trend to rising crime videos posted online

Watch the terrifying TikTok videos allegedly showing gangs across the state filming as they allegedly break into houses while people are sleeping and steal cash and keys before taking the cars.

These are some of the terrifying videos that have been uploaded to the social media platform TikTok allegedly showing young men breaking into homes while people are sleeping and stealing cash and car keys before taking off in the vehicles.Mobile phone footage shows men inside darkened homes and driving at dangerous speeds, with messages alluding to the fact they had stolen the vehicles after “creeping” into an unsuspecting victim’s home.

At least one significant police strike force has been established to hunt down the teenage criminals suspected of being responsible for targeting local court magistrate Robert Stone in a carjacking and dozens of other crimes across the Hunter and beyond.

It includes the perpetrators – some of whom only appear to be connected by hashtags on social media site TikTok – uploading videos of themselves breaking into homes while residents are asleep and other clips of them taking police on dangerous high-speed chases.

The videos show unknown men climbing in through the windows of homes.

Strike Force Mackinnon has now been set up to investigate the growing number of burglaries, pursuits, car stealings and violent carjackings which has lifted Newcastle to near the top of the state for recorded car thefts.

The multi-pronged strike force is being led by Newcastle City detectives with assistance from at least three other police districts, highway patrol, the police transport command and the police air wing.

It has already identified more than 30 separate crimes linked to the TikTok craze, with analysts and experts continually identifying further events.

But the growing and highly-dangerous phenomenon is not isolated to the Hunter, with the “creepers” using hashtags generated from US rap songs such as Creepin’ While Ya Sleepin’ to attract thousands of views online.

Another man is filmed inside a house with a mask.

The videos include crimes committed across Sydney, the Central Coast and inland areas and has crept interstate to Queensland.

The craze is now concerning police at the highest levels, with a noticeable increase in police pursuits and aggravated break and enters being blamed on the young criminals who are happy to promote their actions.

“The high-risk driving behaviour is of such a type that I am extremely concerned there will be a serious motor vehicle accident involving injury or worse to either the perpetrators or other innocent road users,” Newcastle City commander, Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey, said.

“They are driving with no fear of any outcomes for themselves or other road users.

“It is absolutely reckless and risky behaviour.”

The craze has spread throughout NSW and into Queensland.

Strike Force Mackinnon was established following the frightening carjacking of highly-respected local court magistrate Robert Stone in inner-city Newcastle on Monday.

Mr Stone was driving along an inner-city street when his vehicle was approached by two stolen cars about 6am, with one vehicle overtaking him and slowing to a stop as the second remained behind the magistrate’s car.

He was threatened and ordered from the vehicle before it was stolen.

Detectives do not believe Mr Stone was specifically targeted because of his profession, but rather because the thieves wanted his type of vehicle.

The two cars used in the carjacking have been recovered, however Mr Stone’s vehicle was still outstanding on Tuesday.

A set of keys is shown suggesting the number of cars stolen by the gang.

Police intelligence suggests some of the criminals were travelling from as far away as the New England region before going on their crime sprees across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens.

Some are close associates who travel together, others are loosely known to each other through community groups while others have only become connected through the hashtags.

The videos show them wearing face covering and gloves and “creeping” through houses as they look to steal car keys and cash.

Other clips show them driving at breakneck speeds along suburban streets and even leaning out car windows to get images of police cars chasing them with lights and sirens.

Analysis from the burglaries and car thefts also show that the criminals are more likely to target luxury and high-performance vehicles, with some boasting online of their new wheels.

It means they were targeting more affluent suburbs, such as Merewether, to locate the types of cars they were seeking.

Some senior police, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were fearful that the craze would continue to explode as the teenagers vied to outdo each other online.

“It is not a matter of if someone is killed, it is when,” one senior officer said.

“It is one thing that these crooks are completely fearless. But it is another altogether that they seem unaware or just don’t care about the threats they pose to others.

“The greatest fear is that a family is going to be wiped out by the sheer recklessness of it all.”

It is understood the state’s digital forensics unit, which contacts social media giants on behalf of police, has been in touch with TikTok.

The videos have triggered at least some warnings within the social media platform as most of the videos have warning on them that say that ‘participating in this activity could get you or others hurt’.

TikTok has been contacted for comment.