Police charge two more teens with alleged assault and theft of iPhone on 14-year-old in Hobart
After seeking public assistance over an alleged assault on a 14-year-old in Hobart’s CBD, police have laid charges against a further two teens on Friday. The latest.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
For the latest, follow The Beat, the Mercury’s live breaking news blog with the latest traffic, police, fire and ambulance news across the state.
Two more youths arrested after CBD assault
11.25am: Two more boys have been charged by police after an alleged assault on a 14-year-old and theft of his iPhone in the Hobart CBD on Wednesday.
Tasmania Police have charged a 14-year-old boy with aggravated robbery, stealing, injure property, trespass and unlawfully tamper or interfere with a motor vehicle.
Police also charged a 13-year-old boy with aggravated robbery, injure property and stealing. Police said both have been bailed to appear in the Hobart Youth Justice Division in August.
It comes after Police on Thursday charged a 14-year-old boy and 12-year-old boy following the incident.
The 14-year-old was charged with aggravated robbery, stealing, destroy property, unlawfully tamper or interfere with a motor vehicle, and bail offences.
Police said he appeared in court on Thursday night.
The 12-year-old boy was charged with aggravated robbery, common assault, stealing and unlawfully tamper or interfere with a motor vehicle.
He was bailed to appear in the Hobart Youth Justice Division in August and will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
The charges stem from an altercation at the grassed area of Mathers Lane about 2.05pm on Wednesday in which police allege a 14-year-old boy was assaulted and had his iPhone stolen.
He was transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital for treatment of facial injuries, police said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au (quote Offence Report 780149).
P-plater charged after caught speeding at 144km/h
July 18, 10am: A P-plater caught travelling at 144km/h on the Midlands Highway has been charged just four days after getting his license.
Tasmania Police intercepted the 17-year-old driver near Oatlands at around 4.30pm on Thursday after detecting him speeding 44km/h over the speed limit of 100km/h.
Senior Constable Shane Leek from Oatlands Police said the teenager’s provisional licence meant he was subject to a 100km/h speed restriction.
Police said the driver was also found to be in breach of several other licence conditions, including using a mobile phone while driving under a P1 licence, failure to display a rear P plate and breaching peer passenger restrictions under a P1 licence.
“This behaviour posed a serious risk to the driver, their passengers, and other road users,” Senior Constable Leek said.
“Excessive speed, combined with inexperience and distraction, can have tragic consequences.”
The teenager now faces a $1537 fine, 11 demerit points and has been disqualified from driving for three months.
Tasmania Police is reminding all P1 licence holders of their legal obligations to always carry your licence, clearly display P plates on the front and rear of your vehicle, do not exceed 100km/h, even where higher limits apply, maintain a blood-alcohol content of 0.00, do not use a mobile phone while driving, comply with all Tasmanian Road Rules and follow peer passenger restrictions – a limit of one passenger aged between 16 and 21 years.
Man charged with allegedly stealing five cars
1.25pm: A man has been charged by Tasmania Police as investigations continue into the stealing of five vehicles from a North Hobart car yard in May.
Last month, police said officers from the South East, Glenorchy and Bridgewater Criminal Investigation Branches executed several searches in the Montrose and Derwent Valley areas, alongside the Southern Drugs and Firearms Unit.
Police said a Toyota RAV 4 stolen from a North Hobart car yard was located at an address in Magra, as well as close to $150,000 of other property also believed by police to be stolen.
The property included a firearm, several motor vehicles, a trailer, a generator, and about one tonne of fuel. A quantity of illicit drugs was also located.
Police stated the 36-year-old Magra man has since been charged with various stolen property and firearms offences and will reappear in the Hobart Magistrates Court on 12 September 2025.
Four of the five vehicles stolen from the North Hobart car yard have been recovered.
Two youths arrested over alleged assault on other youth
July 17, 9.54am: Police have arrested two 14-year-old boys in connection with the alleged assault of a teenage boy in Hobart’s CBD on Wednesday.
Police allege the incident occurred around 2:05pm on the grassed area of Mather’s Lane where another 14-year-old boy was assaulted and had his iPhone stolen during the altercation.
He was subsequently transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital for treatment of facial injuries, police said.
Police stated one of the alleged offenders was arrested on Wednesday evening and will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
The second youth remains in custody and is assisting police with ongoing inquiries.
Police are appealing to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident, or the events leading up to it, to come forward, with police stating a group of up to eight youths were seen leaving the area via Criterion Lane immediately following the alleged assault.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au (quote Offence Report 780149).
PREVIOUSLY: Police have now identified the male pedestrian who is fighting for life with critical injuries after being struck by a car near Round Hill Point lighthouse, on the Bass Highway, late Tuesday night.
The man, aged in his mid-40s, suffered critical injuries including multiple fractures when struck by a car on the highway about 6km east of Burnie about 11.10pm on Tuesday.
Police say preliminary investigations indicate the male pedestrian was in, or near, the eastbound lane of the highway when he was struck by a car.
“The man has critical injuries, including multiple fractures, and has been transferred to Royal Hobart Hospital after receiving initial treatment at the scene and then the northwest Regional Hospital in Burnie,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.
Police are calling for assistance to help identify the man, who appears to be aged in his 40s, about 160cm to 170cm tall, of slim build, with a grey beard and short black/grey hair. He has a star tattoo on his right knee.
Police say the man was wearing dark clothing at the time of the crash.
Tasmania Police Western Crash Investigation Services and Forensics Services attended the scene last night, with the eastbound lane of the Bass Hwy closed for several hours while investigations took place.
Police want to hear from anyone who saw the man walking along the highway on Tuesday night, or has dashcam footage, as part of the ongoing investigation. Phone131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Quote OR number: 780103
Detectives locate car linked to smash-and-grab theft
JULY 15, 3.30pm: A blue Mitsubishi Magna sedan alleged to have been used in the burglary of a Hobart business in the early hours of Sunday morning has been tracked down by police.
The robbery occurred about 2am on Sunday when thieves forced entry into second-hand luxury goods store, Mismo Cielo, on Murray St and allegedly stole items including rings and watches.
On Monday, Tasmania Police released images of a Mitsubishi Magna and a white dual cab Toyota Hilux 4x4 ute believed to have been used to carry out the robbery.
The Magna was subsequently located at New Norfolk by detectives on Monday afternoon, with police continuing their investigation into the incident.
According to a police statement, a man who was driving the Magna at the time it was spotted has now been arrested and charged with driving offences.
The Hilux was found burnt out on Collins St on Sunday morning.
“Police are also warning the public to be wary of anyone approaching them to sell jewellery or watches, and to contact police if they are approached,” the statement said.
If you have information regarding the alleged incident, contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au and quote the number 779855
Two in custody after drugs, luxury car bust
11.40am: Two men have been taken into custody after a police operation resulted in the seizure of illicit drugs, an allegedly stolen luxury vehicle, and more than $160,000 in cash.
It was the culmination of a Tasmania Police operation, led by the Northern Drugs and Firearms Unit, that had been running since May.
Detective Inspector Nathan Johnston said “a range of specialist police resources” were deployed and the operation was “brought to a planned resolution” on July 10 when two men were arrested at a Newnham property.
Police found $24,000 at the property, plus a quantity of methylamphetamine and a luxury vehicle suspected to have been stolen from Victoria in March.
“Several other searches were conducted in the Launceston area, with a further $140,000 in cash located alongside more methylamphetamine in a storage container linked to one of the men,” Detective Inspector Johnston said.
“A suspected stolen motorcycle was also seized.
“Police also located two firearms in another container linked to a third man, who was then taken into custody at the scene.”
Following the operation, a 32-year-old man was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime, motor vehicle stealing and other offences.
A 30-year-old man was also charged with firearms offences, while a 45-year-old man was charged with minor drug offences.
THIEVES RUN RAMPANT IN HOBART STORE
JULY 14, 10am: A Hobart store selling luxury second-hand goods has been left reeling after a brazen robbery saw “some very special pieces” stolen and saddled the business with a hefty damage bill.
Mismo Cielo, located on Murray St, shared images of the aftermath of the incident on social media, showing smashed windows and cabinets.
In a post on Instagram, the business said the robbery occurred about 2am on Sunday morning and that the items taken included two Rolex watches.
“Our store was broken into by two men with axes. They smashed their way inside and left behind damage and deep sadness,” the post said.
“Among the items taken were some very special pieces close to our hearts.”
Mismo Cielo is appealing to the public for information regarding the robbery and has asked people to inform them if they happen to see any of the stolen items “out in the world”.
“But we also want you to know: after a deep breath, a big clean-up, and some repair … We’ll be reopening on Wednesday,” the business said.
“Your support, messages, and presence mean more than ever right now. Thank you, Hobart.”
Mismo Cielo sells designer bags, jewellery, watches, clothing, and accessories. The store is located at the site of the old Victoria Tavern.
Tasmania Police said in a statement that officers were called to the store after jewellery, including rings and watches, was stolen.
“Entry was gained by smashing a security door and a glass front door,” police said.
“Detectives are calling for any members of the public who observed the break-in or suspicious activity in Murray St or Collins St – where a stolen vehicle was set on fire – to contact police or Crime Stoppers.”
Police are asking the public to upload any CCTV or dashcam footage they believe could be useful via the following link: taspol.au.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/police_investigating_hobart_jewellery_business_burglary
If you have information regarding the alleged incident, contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au.
More Coverage
Originally published as Police charge two more teens with alleged assault and theft of iPhone on 14-year-old in Hobart
Explainer: Likely winners and losers, FAQs and how we got here
As the votes are being counted, the Mercury’s Political Editor David Killick explains the layout of Tasmania’s House of Assembly, the current state of play and how we got here.
Polls close: Count officially begins in Tassie leadership race
The polls have now closed and counting has begun to decide the makeup of Tasmania’s 52nd parliament. Our team will provide rolling updates from the Hobart tally room and on the ground in every electorate until the close of count.