A teenage boy has been charged following a series of alleged break and enter and arson offences across Sydney.
In August 2026, officers attached to North West Metropolitan Region’s Strike Force Sweetenham commenced an investigation into a spate of break and enters.
Police will allege that about 5am on Sunday 16 August 2026, a 14-year-old boy broke into a home on Maccauley Street, Leichhardt, in company with another young person and stole a Hyundai sedan.
About 7.50am the same day, the boy attended a service station on Parramatta Road, Camperdown, filled a jerrycan with fuel, and allegedly left without paying.
About 12.05am on Wednesday 19 August 2026, the boy attended a business on Albert Road, Strathfield. Police will allege he smashed the glass front door before pouring petrol from a jerrycan inside the premises and setting it alight. He allegedly left the scene in a grey Lexus sedan.
About 1.15am the same day, the boy attended a home on Wales Street, Greenacre. Police will allege he exited the vehicle, poured petrol over the driveway and onto a parked Mercedes, before setting it alight and leaving the scene.
A short time later, the boy attended a service station on Punchbowl Road, Lakemba. Police will allege he filled the vehicle with fuel before driving away without paying.
About 5.15am on Monday 24 August 2026, the boy attended a home on Greenwood Avenue, Bankstown. Police will allege he poured petrol over the driveway and onto a parked MG sedan before setting it alight and leaving the scene.
Police will allege in court that the boy was recruited and paid to carry out these offences.
Following extensive inquiries, on Friday 11 September 2026, officers arrested the 14-year-old at an address in Redfern. He was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with:
- Aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence
- Drive conveyance taken without consent of owner
- Two counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception
- Recklessly destroy or damage another person’s business premises
- Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner
- Two counts of destroy or damage property in company and use fire or explosive, value exceeding $5,000
The boy was refused bail and appeared before a Children’s Court on Saturday 12 September, where he was formally refused bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday 21 September 2026.
Inquiries continue.
