Teen charged over alleged break-in and pursuit – Wollongong

A teenage boy has appeared in court charged over an alleged break in and pursuit with police in Wollongong yesterday.

About 7am (Wednesday 3 January 2024), officers attached to Wollongong Police District police were patrolling the M1 near Unanderra when a Toyota Corolla – allegedly stolen from a home in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs – was seen driving dangerously.

Officers attempted to stop the Toyota; however, the vehicle failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated before being terminated on Five Island Road at Unanderra, due to safety concerns

A short time later, the Toyota had lost control and crashed into a Mercedes at the intersection of the Princes Highway and Nudjia.

The Toyota driver, a 16-year-old boy, was detained by members of the public in a nearby carpark until the arrival of police, where he is alleged to have assaulted a 21-year-old man, punching him in the face.

The injured man was assessed by paramedics along with the driver of the Mercedes, a 78-year-old woman, who suffered minor leg injuries.

The teen was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where he was charged with aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – people there, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, common assault, not give particulars to other driver and never licensed person drive vehicle on road.

He appeared at a children’s court yesterday where he was formally refused bail to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday 9 January 2024.

/Public Release. View in full here.