NSW police charge pair after investigation into teenager recruited to steal property on Mid North Coast

Two people have been charged following an investigation into the recruitment of a teenager to break, enter and steal property on the Mid North Coast earlier this year.

Officers from Manning/Great Lakes Police District commenced an investigation after an alleged break and enter at a home in Upper Lansdowne between Sunday 15 March and Wednesday 18 March 2020.

Police will allege a 14-year-old boy was recruited by a 38-year-old man to break into a home and steal multiple items.

Police will further allege both the man and a 37-year-old woman – who is known to him – claimed insurance for the stolen property.

Following extensive inquiries, officers attended a property in Upper Lansdowne, and arrested a 38-year-old man on Wednesday (10 June 2020).

He was taken to Taree Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and recruit child to carry out/assist criminal activity. He was refused bail to face Port Macquarie Local Court yesterday (Thursday 11 June 2020), where he was granted conditional bail to face Taree Local Court on Tuesday 21 July 2020.

Later on Wednesday, a 37-year-old woman attended Taree Police Station and was subsequently arrested.

She was charged with hinder investigation serious indictable offence of other and was granted conditional bail to appear at Taree Local Court on Tuesday 4 August 2020.

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