A 15-year-old boy has been charged after two cars were stolen from homes in Armidale this morning.

Officers attached to New England Police District have been told two women, aged 28 and 29, were asleep in their home in Armidale shortly before 3am (Sunday 2 February 2025), when three people allegedly entered the home.

The women were allegedly threatened by one person armed with a machete, before their car keys and mobile phones were taken, and their SUV driven away. The older women suffered a shoulder injury during the incident.

About 3:15am, the SUV was driven to Norris Drive, Armidale, where another home was allegedly entered and a sportscar stolen.

An investigation was initiated and, acting on information provided, officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District recovered the sportscar at premises in Kempsey this morning, arresting a 15-year-old boy.

A search warrant was executed at a home in Kempsey about 1.30pm, where police will allege keys to the sportscar and another vehicle, which had been reported stolen on Friday (31 January 2025), were seized.

The boy was taken to Kempsey Police Station where he has now been charged with three offences,

• Aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – people there

• Robbery armed with offensive weapon, and

• Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

The boy has been refused bail to appear in a children’s court next Thursday (6 February 2025).

The SUV has now been recovered and inquiries are continuing.