An 18-year-old man faced court on Wednesday, 26 March, for breaking and entering, vehicle theft, and other offences in Bourke.

On Saturday, 22 February, a group of four people, including the 18-year-old suspect broke into a motel on Anson Street in Bourke and forced their way into staff accommodation. 

They were armed with knives and allegedly threatened the occupant, a 24-year-old, before stealing cash, bank cards, and a mobile phone. 

The 24-year-old occupant was not injured in the incident. 

The group then allegedly broke into a second motel and threatened the occupant, a 52-year-old man, with long knives before fleeing with cash, bank cars, and a mobile. 

The 52-year-old sustained a minor cut to his neck. 

The group then crashed through a locked gate with a white Holden SUV before driving off. 

Police arrested the 18-year-old suspect during a search warrant at a home on Parkes Street in Wellington. 

Officers seized clothing, four knives, a set of knuckledusters, and multiple jewelry items believed to be stolen. 

The suspect was charged with four counts of aggravated breaking and entering and committing a serious indictable offence while armed, two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, possession or use of a prohibited weapon without a permit, and larceny. 

The investigations are part of Operation Soteria during which police are looking into breaking and entering and theft offences in Bourke and Nyngan between 22 and 25 February. 

He was refused bail before Dubbo Local Court and will face court again on 22 May.