Two men caught at the scene of a lunchtime break-in at a home in Thirroul were nabbed after police spotted them driving a car that had been stolen from the same street two weeks earlier, a court has heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nathan Hall, 18, and Dylan Arfanis, 23, were both on bail for unrelated matters when they allegedly broke into a granny flat on Station Street on Tuesday afternoon and stole several items including motorcycle keys, a thumb drive and power tools.
Police were patrolling the street when they allegedly saw Hall standing near the front of a parked Hyundai Getz, which had been reported stolen from a home a few doors down during a break-in on June 16.
They then saw Arfanis leave the front yard of a nearby house and get into the Hyundai, while Hall left the scene. Police stopped Arfanis before he could leave.
He was searched and officers allegedly discovered him in possession of several items including the keys to a Triumph motorcycle, a thumb drive, a camera, two mobile phones and two thick gold necklaces which he wore around his neck.
They also discovered a set of house keys which were subsequently linked to the June 16 break-in.
Meanwhile, police arrested Hall in a nearby carpark a short time later.
He was allegedly found in possession of a several sets of car keys including one from a Ford Everest that belonged to the owner of the granny flat.
Meanwhile, police searched the stolen Getz, allegedly discovering a plethora of stolen goods inside including power tools and drill bits.
Both Arfanis and Hall were charged with aggravated break and enter and having suspected stolen goods in their custody.
They were remanded in custody overnight and faced court on Wednesday where both men applied for bail.
However, Magistrate Jillian Kiely refused to release either man, noting they were both already on conditional bail for similar offences and had lengthy criminal records despite their young ages.