Officers attached to Operation Soteria are appealing for information into several property, traffic and armed robbery offences that occurred in the Newcastle area last month.
About 2am on Saturday 17 October 2026, three people allegedly forced entry to a home on Railway Street, Cooks Hill.
During the incident, several items, including a Skoda SUV, were allegedly stolen from the property.
About 6am, the stolen SUV stopped outside at a tobacconist in Jesmond and two of the occupants entered the business.
The pair allegedly threatened an employee with knives and demanded cash and cigarettes before leaving empty handed.
A short time later, police were called to a bakery on Nelson Street, Wallsend, following reports of an armed robbery.
Officers attended and were told two masked people – both armed with knives – entered the bakery and allegedly threatened staff before stealing an amount of cash.
They left in the stolen SUV prior to police arrival.
No injuries were reported during the incidents, and officers attached to Operation Soteria commenced an investigation into all three incidents.
About 2pm that day, officers attempted to stop the vehicle on the Hunter Expressway at Branxton.
When the driver allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns and people lost sight of the vehicle.
About 10.30am on Thursday 22 October 2026, a 17-year-old boy was arrested at a home in Tanilba Bay and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
There he was charged in relation to the incident at Cooks Hill,
- Aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal
- Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, and
- Face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence.
He was refused bail to appear before a children’s court on Friday 23 October 2026. He was formally refused bail and will next appear before the same court on Monday 30 November 2026.
About 8am yesterday (Tuesday 10 November 2026), as part of ongoing inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home in Scone and seized several items of interest.
As inquiries continue, police are asking anyone with information about the incidents to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
