In a significant development, a 38-year-old man has been apprehended and charged after a thorough investigation into a string of break-ins spanning the Hunter Region over the past three months.
In July of 2023, law enforcement authorities launched “Strike Force Cared,” spearheaded by the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District Property & Drug Crime Team. This dedicated task force was convened to delve into a series of break-ins that had been plaguing supermarkets in the Port Stephens-Hunter, Newcastle City, and Hunter Valley Police Districts, with strong suspicions of a connection.
Yesterday, on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at approximately 3 pm, police received a distress call from a hardware store situated on Vincent Street, Cessnock. The call alleged that a man was caught in the act of attempting to shoplift.
Swiftly responding to the scene, the authorities managed to apprehend the suspect, taking him into custody. Subsequent to thorough investigations and inquiries, the 38-year-old individual has now been officially charged with six counts of breaking and entering residential properties with the intent to steal, along with charges of larceny.
This apprehended individual has been denied bail and is scheduled to appear before the Cessnock Local Court today, on Friday, September 1, 2023, where further legal proceedings will take place. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.