12:30am bail visit in Orange leads to arrest of teenage boys aged 14, 15 and 16

April 26, 2024

By Peter Holmes

It was about 12;30am on Anzac Day (April 25, 2024) when police attended a home in Orange "to speak with a boy for breaching his bail".

A short time later three boys – aged 14, 15, and 16 – were arrested and taken to Orange Police Station.

"During a search of the boys, police located three sets of car keys and a knife," NSW Police alleged.

"Checks reveal the keys belong to three vehicles that police have previously seized."

Police said the older boy was charged with fail to give full and correct address, possess housebreaking implements, and breach of bail.

He appeared at a children’s court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to appear at another children’s court on Monday April 29, 2024.

"The 15-year-old was charged with three counts of receive motor vehicle part theft serious indictable offence, possess housebreaking implements, two counts of possess prohibited drug, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, and breach of bail," police said.

He appeared at a children’s court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to appear at another children’s court on Thursday May 2, 2024.

The younger boy was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

The bail check was part of Operation Regional Mongoose, "a high-visibility police operation to tackle serious property-related crime committed predominately by young offenders".

Police in the state’s Western Region have charged more than 190 people since the launch of Operation Regional Mongoose.

The ongoing operation began in September 2023.

"To date, the operation focussed on areas including Dubbo, Tamworth, Moree, Orange, Gunnedah, Bourke and has resulted in 192 people – including 140 juveniles – charged with more than 1617 offences, of those 275 were for breach of bail," police said.

Commander of Western Region, assistant commissioner Rod Smith, said "we have seen in several cases that elderly and vulnerable people are being targeted, with no hesitation to inflict or threaten violence on victims. We will continue to take steps to keep our communities safe, we will continue to arrest and charge serious offenders, both youths and adults, and put them before the courts".

"The Youth Command supports local police districts through many prevention and diversionary programs across the region of Western NSW," said Smith.

"These programs engage with a significant number of young people throughout the region, drawing them away from boredom and the environment that often leads to offending.

“We are seeing great success and support from local communities in these programs, and it is critical that we continue to target serious offenders, as well as provide diversionary opportunities for potential offenders."