Two young friends thought it would be "fun" to cause more than $100,000 worth of damage when a hockey stick was used to smash 60 cars parked along Illawarra streets, a court has heard.
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Windang's Sarah Good, aged 20, and Warilla's Kaileb Lamelza, 18, were granted bail in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday after Magistrate Claire Girotto labelled their alleged behaviour "horrendous" and "reprehensible" and could not "understand the logic of it".
The pair have been charged with 65 counts of destroy or damage property each, with more charges expected to be laid.
Police will allege Good drove Lamelza while he lent out and used a hockey stick to smash the windows and mirrors of more than 22 cars parked along residential streets in Lake Illawarra, Mount Warrigal, Oak Flats, Barrack Heights and Barrack Point between July 16 and 17.
Lake Illawarra Police District's Anti-Theft Unit launched an investigation after they received an "unusually high number of reports of malicious damage to vehicles".
Police will allege the pair damaged another 22 cars in an identical manner in Kiama, Shell Cove and Jamberoo on July 24 and 25, with 16 more vehicles smashed in the Nowra area on the same night.
CCTV footage depicting a suspicious vehicle, a Mitsubishi Lancer, with a broken rear right light and distinctive sticker on the bottom right corner of the rear window was obtained and distributed to police patrols.
On July 29 at about 1.30am, police were patrolling the Barrack Heights area after more reports of damaged vehicles when they stopped a Mitsubishi Lancer, driven by Good, matching the description of the suspicious car.
A 14-year-old boy was in the front seat, with Lamelza in the back along with a 19-year-old woman. A wooden hockey stick was found next to Lamelza and broken glass was on the floor.
All four were arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police station before the younger boy was released to be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act while the 19-year-old woman was released pending further inquiries.
Lamelza was interviewed and alleged admitted to damaging the vehicles because it was a "fun thing to do".
"He admitted to 31 reported incidents. He appeared disinterested and showed no remorse," the court documents said.
"He would use the hockey stick, lean out of the moving Lancer and smash parked vehicles for fun".
The documents said when police told Good, who refused to be interviewed, about the financial impact her actions had caused to the victims, she "smirked" and did not show any remorse.
Lamelza also allegedly sent a text to Good asking her "can we go smash windows".
In court on Thursday, police prosecutor Sergeant Sean Thackray said one of the car owners who had their window smashed, recently lost his job and spent his little savings on detailing the car so it was ready for resale.
Sgt Thackray said the man had arranged a buyer to come on the weekend, however, the windows had been smashed causing the buyer to pull out.
"Now the man does not have enough money to repair the car," he said.
Magistrate Claire Girotto said Good's alleged actions was "horrendous" and "reprehensible behaviour".
"These actions were very serious and mindless," she said.
"I'm sure it caused great distress to many people who are not wealthy and just have a car to do their business.
"Some of the damage is beyond repair".
Magistrate Girotto released the pair due to their lack of criminal history and young ages.
She placed them under essentially "house arrest" at their parents' homes.
They are only allowed to leave the home in the company of their mothers and Lamelza's stepfather.
They must report weekly to the police station, present themselves at the door if police visit their homes, and Lamelza must not drink alcohol or take drugs.
Their cases have been adjourned to August 13 at Wollongong Local Court.
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