OPERATION Soteria police officers have charged a teenager after he allegedly broke into a motel with a machete, stole a car and fled from police in a pursuit in the Moree area this week.

At about 1.45am on Monday, May 19, police were called to a motel on Alice Street, following reports of an armed break-and-enter.

Officers attached to New England Police District arrived and were told four teens had allegedly broken into a room where they threatened a man with a machete and a chair before stealing keys to a Mitsubishi SUV.

No injuries were reported.

At the same time, police located the allegedly stolen car driving dangerously on Warialda Street.

Police directed the driver to stop; however, when they allegedly failed to do so a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.

At about 2.35am the same day, police seized the allegedly stolen vehicle after it was found abandoned on Grace Street.

A crime scene was established at both locations and officers attached to Operation Soteria commenced an investigation into the incident.

Following extensive investigations, police arrested a 16-year-old boy after he was found hiding in a cupboard at a home on Tawarri Street, Moree, at about 2pm on Wednesday.

He was taken to Moree Police Station where he was charged with aggravated break-and-enter and commit serious indictable offence, armed, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, and possess prohibited drug.

The teen was also charged with two outstanding warrants relating to additional robbery and police pursuit offences.

The 16-year-old was refused bail to appear before a children’s court today, Thursday, May 22.

Investigations under Operation Soteria continue.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Information is managed on a confidential basis.
The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.