Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command have conducted a targeted operation following a recent increase in break-and-enter offences in the Stockton area.

The operation was carried out overnight (Tuesday 28 April to Wednesday 29 April 2015) by officers from the Waratah Special Operations Group.

About 1.30am (Wednesday 29 April 2015), officers deployed as part of the operation saw a man hiding behind a car in the front yard of a house in Maitland Street, Stockton.

During a search of the man, police seized housebreaking implements.

The 28-year-old man was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged with:

– Dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception (four counts);
– Possess housebreaking implements;
– Deal with property suspected proceeds of crime; and
– Being carried in a conveyance without consent.

The man appeared in Newcastle Local Court this morning, where he was remanded in custody to appear in the same court on 4 May 2015.

It will be alleged the man broke into a home on William Street, Stockton, some time between 9.30pm on 26 April 2015 and 6.30am the following day.

Police will further allege the man stole a car from the premises, and used a stolen credit card to obtain goods and cash at Newcastle West and Kotara.

Later this morning, a 21-year-old man presented at Waratah Police Station.

He was also charged in relation to the incident at William Street, Stockton.

This man was refused bail, and is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 30 April 2015) to answer four counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception.

A third man, aged 31, was arrested as part of this targeted operation. He appeared in Newcastle Local Court today charged in relation to an outstanding warrant.