Tony
12-19-2007, 04:19 AM
Five teenagers have been charged over a string of violent street robberies by a gang in Sydney's south-west.
Six youths, aged between 14 and 17, were arrested in raids on seven houses in Auburn, Bankstown, Fairfield, Lidcombe and Yagoona about 7.15am (AEST) on Wednesday.
Police said the youths were part of a gang which threatened to kill, and in some case inflicted injury, on their victims.
About 75 police were involved in the raids, conducted by Strike Force Halstead.
Halstead was set up in March this year to investigate robberies in and around Bankstown and Yagoona.
Bankstown Local Area Commander, Superintendent Dave Darcy, said the arrests were a "tremendous result" for the strike force.
"The local community should feel a lot safer knowing the police are working tirelessly out on the street and behind the scenes to lock up crooks," he said.
All six teenagers were taken for questioning to Bankstown police station. Five were charged on Wednesday afternoon with numerous offences, including aggravated robbery in company and aggravated robbery with wounding.
They were each refused bail to appear at Parramatta Children's Court on Thursday.
The sixth youth was released pending further inquiries, police said.
Since it was established, Strike Force Halstead has arrested 66 people and solved 54 robberies.
Six youths, aged between 14 and 17, were arrested in raids on seven houses in Auburn, Bankstown, Fairfield, Lidcombe and Yagoona about 7.15am (AEST) on Wednesday.
Police said the youths were part of a gang which threatened to kill, and in some case inflicted injury, on their victims.
About 75 police were involved in the raids, conducted by Strike Force Halstead.
Halstead was set up in March this year to investigate robberies in and around Bankstown and Yagoona.
Bankstown Local Area Commander, Superintendent Dave Darcy, said the arrests were a "tremendous result" for the strike force.
"The local community should feel a lot safer knowing the police are working tirelessly out on the street and behind the scenes to lock up crooks," he said.
All six teenagers were taken for questioning to Bankstown police station. Five were charged on Wednesday afternoon with numerous offences, including aggravated robbery in company and aggravated robbery with wounding.
They were each refused bail to appear at Parramatta Children's Court on Thursday.
The sixth youth was released pending further inquiries, police said.
Since it was established, Strike Force Halstead has arrested 66 people and solved 54 robberies.