BY DAKOTA TAIT
13 teenagers have been charged across the Hunter after a three-day operation investigating police pursuits and the theft of luxury vehicles.
Strike Force Baste was established as a joint operation by officers from Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens-Hunter, Hunter Valley, and Newcastle City Police Districts, after a number of homes were broken into and luxury vehicles stolen across the region.
The stolen cars were then often allegedly used in further property offences and pursuits.
Police allege the youths used social media platforms to coordinate their actions, locate the vehicles, and livestream the pursuits.
A three-day operation ran from Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 November, in which 13 teens were arrested and taken to Belmont, Waratah, and Cessnock.
Police laid 37 charges, relating to aggravated break and enters, stealing, vehicle theft, dangerous or reckless driving, possession of car-breaking implements, knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, and breach of bail.
All of the teenagers were refused bail before a children's court on Thursday.
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| Detective Inspector Steve Benson. |
