Three boys have been charged following an investigation into alleged property offences in Goonellabah.

Officers attached to Richmond Police District and Operation Soteria initiated inquiries after several homes in Goonellabah were broken into in the early hours of yesterday morning (Tuesday, 22 July 2025).

Items were allegedly stolen, including cash and a Toyota Corolla.

Following inquiries and an alleged pursuit in the Goonellabah area, police located the vehicle in Casino and arrested three boys, aged 14, 16, and 17, a short time later nearby.

The boys were taken to the Casino Police Station, where they have been charged.

The 14-year-old was charged with seven offences:

• Break and enter dwelling etc in company steal (three counts)
• Enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence
• Face blackened/disguised with intent to commit indictable offence
• Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, and
• Breach of bail.

The 16-year-old was charged with 18 offences:

• Break and enter house etc steal value more than $60,000 (two counts)
• Aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company intend steal less than $60,000 (two counts)
• Aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal less than $60,000 (five counts)
• Enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence (three counts)
• Take person in company with intent to commit serious indictable
• Face blackened/disguised with intent to commit indictable offence
• Possess housebreaking implements
• Police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly
• Never licensed person drive vehicle on road, and
• Use etc offensive weapon in company to prevent detention.

Both boys were refused bail to appear before a children's court today (Wednesday, 23 July 2025).

The 17-year-old was charged with three offences alleged to have occurred near Coffs Harbour in 2024:

• Aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence
• Enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence, and
• Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.

He was granted conditional bail to appear before a children's court on Tuesday, 26 August 2025.