Two arrested over alleged property offences – Operation Regional Mongoose

Two boys have been arrested following an investigation into alleged property-related offences in the state’s central west.

Operation Regional Mongoose is a high-visibility police operation to tackle serious property-related crime committed predominately by young offenders.

Between 3am and 6am on Monday (29 January2024), entry was allegedly forced into a home on Franklin Road, Orange, where a bag and a Kia Sportage were stolen.

The Kia was located abandoned about 9.40am on Tobruk Avenue, and it was seized for forensic examination.

About 12.50pm the same day, police received a report of keys and a Volvo allegedly stolen from changerooms at a business on Hill Street, Orange.

About 1.15pm, police were patrolling South Terrace, Orange, and spoke to a 14-year-old boy after he was seen to throw airpods to the ground, police will allege they were stolen from the Volvo.

Police located fuel cards belonging to a business in his possession and the boy was arrested and taken to Orange Police Station.

The boy will be dealt with under the young offenders act.

About 3.45pm, the Volvo was located abandoned on Lone Pine Avenue, Orange, and was seized for forensic examination.

Following inquiries, about 9am yesterday (30 January 2024), police attended a home in Orange and arrested a 17-year-old boy.

He was taken to Orange Police Station and charged with drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, never licensed person drive vehicle on road, class A motor vehicle exceed speed, and breach of bail.

The boy was refused bail to appear at a children’s court today (Wednesday 31 January 2024).

Inquiries under Operation Regional Mongoose continue.

/Public Release. View in full here.