TEENS HELD OVER THEFTS
“With any of these offences these individuals target motor vehicles, which they use to joy ride around in and they’re looking for things like iPhones and iPads, small laptops and cash and credit cards,” Insp Miles said.
He said it was concerning that there was a group of teens well known to police committing break- ins on a regular basis.
“We have a cohort of individuals, young indigenous boys aged 13 to 16, who are committing these offences on a regular basis, purely for their own amusement,’’ he said
“They are a small group, but they are responsible for a large number of the thefts.
“They’re ( the offenders) a product of their environment, a lack of supervision and interest in what they do by their parents ... this is a hobby and a game to them.”
The teens have allegedly been linked to the wedding rings stolen from Joan Maynard the day her husband of 60 years, Bob, died.
Some of Mrs Maynard’s stolen jewellery has been recovered, but not her wedding rings.
Daughter Jillian Schulz said her mother was over the moon at getting some of her things back but was still hoping for her rings to be returned.
“Mum had a visit from the police two days ago and they did return a purse, the earrings from her wedding set, two brooches that dad had given her and some other bits and pieces,” Mrs Schulz said.
“At this point the rings and necklace haven’t turned up, but we are hopeful that some of the other stuff may turn up.”
All three teens have been charged with burglary, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and fraud offences that relate to their use of a credit card on pay wave.