Teenagers charged after stolen car used in Lane Cove ram raid

Two teenagers have been charged after allegedly using a stolen car to smash into a tobacco store in Lane Cove before leading police on a chase across Sydney’s west.

Two teenagers have been charged following a ram raid on a tobacco store in Sydney’s lower north shore on Wednesday morning.

Police were called to TSG Tobacco Station on Longueville Road in Lane Cove shortly before 4am after a vehicle was used to smash through the front of the store.

Cigarettes and cash were allegedly stolen before the offenders fled.

A crime scene was established, and police launched an investigation.

Officers later discovered the vehicle had been stolen from a home in Emu Plains overnight.

Police have launched an investigation after a vehicle was used to ram into a retail store in Lane Cove early Wednesday morning. Picture: Elliott Stewart

Just before 6am, officers spotted the vehicle on Water St in St Marys and attempted to stop it.

The driver failed to comply, leading to a pursuit that temporarily ended in Werrington when the teens jumped out of the car and ran into bushland on Bridge St.

During a search of the occupants, the teens re-entered the vehicle and allegedly drove it towards a police car, injuring an officer.

A 15-year-old boy believed to be the driver – and a 16-year-old girl were arrested at the scene.

Police on the scene on Wednesday morning. Picture: Elliott Stewart

The pair were taken to Penrith Police Station, where the boy was charged with 11 offences – aggravated break and enter with intent while armed, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, steal motor vehicle (two counts), enter dwelling with intent to steal, aggravated break and enter, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, damage property, enter enclosed lands without lawful excuse, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention and breach of bail.

The girl was charged with six offences – be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner (two counts), enter vehicle without consent of owner, stealing, aggravated break and enter and goods in custody.

Both were refused bail to appear at a childrens court on Thursday.

A male police officer suffered injuries and was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital fort reatement for head, neck and wrist injuries.

The damaged store. Picture: Richard Dobson

The store’s owner, who watched the incident happen in real time with the CCTV being sent directly to his phone, said he was shocked.

He said it was the second time his shop had been ramraided, with a similar incident a few months ago that cost him $10,000 to fix the damage.

It’s understood the thieves also attempted to steal a Bitcoin ATM machine, but failed to remove it from the store.

No one was injured during the incident.

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Originally published as Teenagers charged after stolen car used in Lane Cove ram raid