By Josefine Ganko
A western Sydney mother is facing a slew of charges over a string of break-ins she allegedly masterminded, having recruited her teenage son and his friend to carry out the smash-and-grab attacks.
Police allege the three-week crime spree, which targeted almost 40 small businesses and caused $150,000 in damage, was disrupted at 3am on Wednesday when an 18-year-old man was caught using a hammer to smash the windows of a supermarket on Whitecross Road in Winmalee.
Police allege the 42-year-old mother masterminded the three-week crime spree, which targeted almost 40 small businesses and caused $150,000 worth of damage.Credit: NSW Police
The 42-year-old woman, who was found in a parked car nearby, was also arrested. Later in the morning, her 18-year-old son was taken into custody in Blackett. On Wednesday night, the trio were each charged with varying counts of aggravated stealing of less than $60,000 in company.
The mother is facing 38 stealing charges, along with seven counts of driving with a suspended license and one count of possessing a prohibited drug. The son’s 18-year-old friend is facing a single aggravated stealing charge. The pair were refused bail and will appear before Penrith Local Court on Thursday.
The woman’s son was charged with six counts of aggravated stealing and was granted conditional bail ahead of an appearance at Penrith Local Court on July 16.
“It will be alleged that the 42-year-old woman co-ordinated this particular offence, utilising young men to assist her with the offences,” Detective Superintendent Trent King said.
The woman’s 18-year-old son was also arrested.Credit: NSW Police
The targets spanned western Sydney from Parramatta to the Blue Mountains, and saw youths using hammers to smash windows and doors and steal goods, cash and personal items.
Police seized a Suzuki Swift, which they allege was the car used in all the organised groups’ operations.
King said it was mostly small businesses impacted, including cafes, takeaway shops, barbers and grocers.
“We’re talking damage in excess of $150,000, and for local businesses, that is a huge impact. I’ve personally spoken to a number of the people who are victims of this particular offence, and I do know the impact that it’s had on their livelihood.”
King said a covert investigation had led the officers to the scene of the planned break-in this morning.
“There was co-ordination to a point where we’ve had a number of strategies in place, that included covert strategies, and we were able to identify that in a short period of time prior to the offence occurring.”
Strike Force Allanson was launched on May 25, when it became apparent that a string of offences were linked. But King said officers found even more connections, dating back to May 13.
“I give credit to our intelligence unit in terms of the way they have trawled through a whole heap of offences over a long period of time in order to link them together and identify the 39 that we were able to link together today.”
Businesses in the Caddens Corner shopping centre were targetted in the crime spree.Credit: Nettletontribe Architects
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