Nine teenagers – ranging from 15-17 years – have been charged with a total of 171 offences in relation to $1 million worth of stolen goods and $250,000 worth of damages.
In early October 2016 detectives commenced Operation Antiguo in relation to a series of burglary, stealing and other offences targeting jewellery and other retail stores in Bunbury and Busselton.
Investigations also identified links to similar offences in Mandurah, Rockingham and Maddington.
It was established that offenders had allegedly used recently stolen vehicles to facilitate the offences.
As a result of the series of offences property and vehicles valued at around $1 million were stolen and damage in excess of $250,000 was caused.
On October 6, offenders were disturbed at the Mandurah Forum Shopping Centre committing an alleged burglary on a jewellery store and two police vehicles were subsequently damaged as the offenders fled, driving in a dangerous manner in order to evade arrest.
Investigations have resulted in several houses in Bunbury and Carey Park being subject to search warrant execution with the recovery of some of the stolen property, vehicles, cash and drug related items.
The juveniles from Bunbury, Carey Park, Withers and Huntingdale are due to appear in Bunbury Childrens Court on March 17.
