Inspector Robert Dunn has offered his sincere congratulations to the Wee Waa Police for their hard work in catching the two teenage boys behind a string of alleged criminal offences.

“It took some great policework to track them down and we’re extremely proud of the officers’ efforts,” he said.

“There was a real lack of physical evidence and witnesses when it came to this case, and the arrests can be accredited to diligent detective work and early intervention from the Wee Waa team.”

But Insp Dunn also said the team doesn’t plan on slowing down now that they’ve made the arrests.

“However, we also acknowledge that our work here is far from done,” he said.

“We suspect the young people are part of a larger organisation and, just because we’ve caught these two, that doesn’t mean we plan on taking our foot off the accelerator.”

“We’ll be continuing with our investigation so locals can expect a greater police presence in the Narrabri Shire in the coming months.”

Insp Dunn encourages any locals who may know more to contact the police.

“If you’ve witnessed, or been a victim of, any criminal behaviour we ask that you please report it to your local command,” he said.

“Your input can help us bring these criminals to justice.”

Together, the two teens were charged with an alleged seven and eight offences each.

One of them was charged with three counts of aggravated break and enter, one count of being carried in conveyance taken without consent of the owner, one count of larceny, one count of stealing a motor vehicle and one count of destroying property by fire.

The other was charged with three counts of aggravated break and enter, one count of stealing a motor vehicle, one count of destroying property by fire, one count of possession of an unauthorised firearm, one count of unlicensed driving and one count of larceny.

The alleged offences began on May 15 and carried through until the two teens were arrested on May 18.

At 12.30am on Saturday, May 15, the pair allegedly broke into a home on Wee Waa’s Short Street by forcing open a locked glass door.

They located and stole a set of vehicle keys but were startled by the property occupant and fled the scene without taking the vehicle itself.

The resident reported the incident, noting one of them was wearing clothing with distinct markings.

Between 1am and 1.30am on the same day, the two boys allegedly broke into a home in Alma Street, stealing another set of keys and this time making off with the vehicle.

They drove to Moree, filling the vehicle up at a service station there at 3.29am and leaving without paying.

The pair then drove the vehicle back to Wee Waa, speeding along streets before crashing it along Myalla Lane.

Footage shows the young persons setting the vehicle on fire, completely destroying the vehicle.

On the afternoon of Saturday, May 15, local police searched the boys where they noted the distinctive markings on their clothing.

Between 12.10 and 12.20am on Monday, May 17, the alleged pair entered the office of a local accommodation premises where they stole a phone and cash.

CCTV footage captured the offences, with the visual clear enough to identify the wrongdoers and show the same distinctive clothing again.

On Tuesday, May 18, Wee Waa police officers carried out a search warrant in Mitchell Street where the young persons were arrested.

Clothing and electronic devices were seized, as well as a gel blaster Glock 18 pistol and a number of gel balls.

The teens were granted bail following their appearance in court in Moree on Tuesday, May 18.

They are set to appear in local Children’s Court on Thursday, July 1.

Insp Dunn continues to urge locals to be cautious of their personal and property security.

“The best way to protect yourself is to ensure all of your vehicle and residential doors are locked,” he said.

“Making sure there’s no valuables out on display can also help deter break-ins.”

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