Police scoured bushland near Araluen after an allegedly stolen car was found abandoned. Photo: Monaro Police District Facebook.
Four teenagers have been charged following a police operation into alleged carjackings in Sydney’s inner west and on the South Coast.
At about 3:40 am (Thursday, 14 July), police received reports a rideshare driver had been threatened with a weapon by four men while travelling on Victoria Road, Marrickville, before his Toyota Prius was stolen. The 22-year-old driver was not physically injured.
The car was found on fire on Braidwood Road, Sassafras (near Nerriga) at about 8:15 am. The vehicle was extinguished and seized for forensic examination.
South Coast police then received a report at about 8:40 am that a 73-year-old motorist had picked up three hitchhikers on Braidwood Road. The group allegedly threatened the man with a weapon before stealing his car. The driver was not physically injured.
Police spotted the stolen Mazda sedan and a short pursuit commenced before it was found abandoned on Araluen Road, Araluen, with the three occupants allegedly fleeing into nearby bushland. The car was seized for forensic examination.
A large-scale search of the surrounding area commenced with assistance from PolAir, the Dog Unit and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command.
As a result three teenage boys – aged 18, 17 and 16 – were found by police hiding in an abandoned house on Araluen Road, Reidsdale, just before 2 pm. They were arrested and taken to Nowra Police Station.
All three were charged with aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in it – armed with weapon.
A fourth teenager, aged 17, was arrested at Narellan Police Station and charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. He was granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on 4 August.
Inquiries continue, with anyone with information urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Specialist units were called to help with the search, including the Dog Unit and PolAir. Photo: Monaro Police District Facebook.
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