A teenager has been charged after a spate of alleged break-and-enters around Ballina yesterday.

Officers attached to Operation Soteria commenced an investigation following incidents at five homes across Ballina, East Ballina and Skennars Head yesterday morning (Tuesday, 30 December 2025):

• Between 1am and 3am, a Porsche SUV was allegedly stolen from a home on Norton Street in Ballina, and a BMW SUV was allegedly stolen from a home at Skennars Head.
• About 2.15am, car keys and a wallet were allegedly stolen from a home on Pacific Terrace, East Ballina.
• About 2.20am, a group of males allegedly attempted to break into a home on Shelly Beach Road, Ballina. The group were unable to enter the home and left the scene.
• About 3.15am, police were called to a home on Canal Road, Ballina. At the scene, police were told that a group of males forced entry to the home before threatening the occupant, an 87-year-old woman. The group allegedly stole electronics and jewellery and left the scene. No injuries were reported. Police commenced patrols of the area; however, they were unable to locate the group.

Police established crime scenes at all locations and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incidents.

Following inquiries, the BMW SUV was located abandoned in bushland in Kempsey about 7.10am yesterday and was seized for forensic examination.

Following further inquiries, police executed search warrants at houses in Greenhills and West Kempsey.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested at the Greenhills address and was taken to Kempsey police station.

He was charged with 13 offences:

Aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal (three counts)

Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner (two counts)

Dishonestly obtain property by deception (three counts)

Armed with intent commit indictable offence

Common assault

Aggravated commit serious ind offence in dwelling-use violence

Destroy or damage property

Enter inclosed land not presc premises w/o lawful excuse

He was refused bail to appear before a children’s court today (Wednesday, 31 December 2025).

Investigations under Operation Soteria are ongoing.