Seven teens have been charged with more than 40 offences, after a strike force was formed to investigate on the theft of luxury vehicles and police pursuits.
Strike Force Baste was established by officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District to investigate numerous aggravated break, enter and steal offences where luxury motor vehicles were stolen, then used in additional property offences and police pursuits.
Police will allege social media platforms were used by the youths to coordinate their actions, locate the vehicles, and live-stream pursuits.
Following investigations, four search warrants were yesterday (Thursday 30 June 2022), executed across three police districts including Port Stephens-Hunter, Hunter Valley and Newcastle City.
During the search warrants, police seized mobile phones, clothing and e-scooters which will be forensically examined.
Seven youths were arrested during the search warrants and were taken to Newcastle and Waratah Police Stations and charged with more than 40 offences, including:
- Aggravated break and enter, commit serious indictable offence
- Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner
- Drive recklessly/furiously/speed/manner dangerous
- Possess car breaking implements
- Knowingly direct activities of criminal group
- Be carried in conveyance without consent of owner
- Never licensed person drive on road
- Custody of knife in a public place
- Goods in custody
Police will allege the seven youths committed offences relating to aggravated break, enter and steal offences including pursuits, receiving and other property offences across the Hunter basin.
Anyone with information which may assist Strike Force Baste investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
