Teen charged as Operation Mandrake investigates series of crimes in Adelaide’s eastern and western suburbs

A 17-year-old has been charged as a special youth gang task force investigates a series of aggravated break-ins and car thefts in Adelaide’s blue-chip suburbs.

A teen has been arrested as Operation Mandrake officers investigate a series of crimes involving aggravated break-ins and car thefts across Adelaide’s eastern and western suburbs.

On Tuesday, police from the special youth gang task force, along with Western District officers, arrested the 17-year-old boy.

He has been charged with five counts of aggravated serious criminal trespass, three counts of theft of a motor vehicle, three counts of unlawfully on premises and a number of other theft offences.

He was refused police bail and he will appear in Port Adelaide Youth Court on Wednesday 13 December.

News of the arrest follows analysis by The Advertiser which shows serious crimes against people and property in suburbs across SA are being reported, but neighbours are unaware because police aren’t making them public.

It comes after an Adelaide pediatrician Dr Michael Yung died after an allegedly unprovoked violent break-in and attack at his Gilberton home. Two people have since been charged with murder.

On Tuesday, Major Crime Investigation Branch boss Detective Superintendent Des Bray said Operation Mandrake was investigating incidents in some of Adelaide’s wealthiest suburbs.

The special operation was established in 2003 to investigate Indigenous youth crime.

He said Operation Mandrake detectives are investigating break-ins and car thefts in Gilberton, Medindie, Walkerville, Henley Beach, Fulham and Tennyson.

On Wednesday, Acting Commissioner Linda Williams said Operation Mandrake was continuing its investigation into recent property crime in the area, including whether the arrested teen was part of a larger group.

“That’s still part of the investigation as to whether he was operating alone or with other people in relation to those completely separate offences,” she said.

“Those investigations as to the other crimes in the area are ongoing by Operation Mandrake.

“In relation to Dr Yung’s alleged murder, Major Crime has conduct of that and they have arrested two other people and are not looking for other suspects.”

Originally published as Teen charged as Operation Mandrake investigates series of crimes in Adelaide’s eastern and western suburbs