Brothers arrested over a string of break and enter offences on pubs and clubs – Lake Illawarra LAC

Two brothers have been arrested over a series of aggravated break, enter and steal offences on eight pubs and clubs in Lake Illawarra, Wollongong, Shoalhaven and the Southern Highlands.

 The men, aged 32 and 22, were arrested at their respective homes in Albion Park and Blackbutt at 10.30am this morning.

 They have been taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where they are currently assisting with inquiries.

 The arrests follow an investigation by detectives attached to Strike Force Fadden, which was established in March this year following an aggravated break, enter and steal offence at a club in Dapto on January 30 this year.

It is alleged a number of offenders smashed the rear doors of the club, removed a cigarette machine from its mounting, dragged it out of the premises and loaded it into a stolen van which was driven away.

However, following further inquiries by Lake Illawarra LAC Proactive Crime team and detectives, Strike Force Fadden was broadened to investigate similar offences at another seven hotels and clubs in neighbouring Shoalhaven, Wollongong and the Southern Highlands districts.

Lake Illawarra LAC Deployment Group Commander Detective Chief Inspector Danny Sharkey said police would allege a total of eight licensed premises had been targeted in 12 months.

“All the offences took place between March 2010 and March 2011, in the very early hours of the morning after the pubs and clubs had closed,” Det Chief Insp Sharkey said. 

“In each incident masked offenders entered the hotels or clubs by forcing or smashing the doors open, then bringing in their own trolley to load up ATMs, cigarette machines and bottles of spirits from behind the bar.

“In every incident, the stolen property was loaded in a stolen vehicle which was later found abandoned and burnt out.”

The alleged break and enter offences took place at:

.        A Sutton Forest hotel on 17 March, 2010

.        A Dapto club on January 30, 2011

.        A Scarborough hotel on February 3, 2011

.        A Bulli club on February 17, 2011

.        A Scarborough club February 17, 2011

.        An Albion Park hotel on February 28, 2011

.        A Berry hotel on March 9, 2011

.        A St Georges Basin hotel on March 17, 2011

Det Chief Inspector Sharkey said further arrests were expected.

“We expect to make a third arrest in relation to these offences however a number of other persons may have been involved in receiving stolen property,” Det Chief Insp Sharkey said.

“I would urge anyone with information about these matters to come forward and contact police either directly or through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”