Brash burglar busted

A Balgowlah man has been charged after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of goods across the Northern Beaches and South Sydney.

Between May and July this year, police connected break-ins at 11 locations at Manly Vale, Balgowlah, Manly, Seaforth, Rosebery and Mascot. High-value items were stolen, including two motorcycles, three e-bikes, a desktop computer, a dashcam device, keys, a wallet, and a handbag.

Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command commenced an investigation in May, with inquiries indicating the incidents were linked, and the items stolen estimated to be worth around $64,000.

Around 5.00pm Friday (10 July), officers from the Northern Beaches Proactive Crime Team, with the assistance of officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command, arrested a 29-year-old Balgowlah man outside an apartment building at Waterways Street, Wentworth Point, near Sydney Olympic Park.

The man had a medical episode during the arrest and was taken to Concord Repatriation General Hospital for medical treatment under police guard. Around 11.15pm the same day, officers executed a search warrant at a Wentworth Point home, where they seized items which police allege were stolen from the Northern Beaches’ and South Sydney break-ins.

Shortly after 1.15pm yesterday (Saturday, 11 July), the man was released from hospital into police custody and taken to Burwood Police Station, where he declined to be interviewed.

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There, the 29-year-old man was charged with 23 offences:

Five counts of unlawful entry on inclosed lands, under Section 4(1) of the Inclosed Lands Protection Act 1901, which carries a maximum penalty of $550 per count
Four counts of larceny, under Section 117 of the Crimes Act 1900, which if heard in a Local Court carries a maximum penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $11,000 per count. If heard in District Court, the term of imprisonment increases to a maximum of five years’ per count.
One count of unauthorised entry of vehicle or boat, under Section 6A of the Summary Offences Act 1988, which carries a maximum penalty of $440
Two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, under Section 154F of the Crimes Act, which if heard in a Local Court carries a maximum penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment per count. If heard in District Court, the term of imprisonment increases to a maximum of ten years’ per count.
Two counts of breaking etc into any house etc with intent to commit serious indictable offence, under Section 113 of the Crimes Act 1900, which carries a maximum penalty of up to ten years’ imprisonment per count
Five counts of breaking etc into any house etc and committing serious indictable offence (steal value less than or equal to $60,000), under Section 112(1) of the Crimes Act 1900, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 14 years’ imprisonment per count
One count of supply prohibited drug (more than indictable and less than commercial quantity), under section 25(1) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985, which carries a maximum penalty of $220,000 and up to 15 years’ imprisonment
Three counts of fraud (dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception), under Section 192E of the Crimes Act 1900, which carries a maximum penalty of up to ten years’ imprisonment per count

The 29-year-old Balgowlah man was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 7 today (Sunday, 12 July 2026). If convicted, he almost certainly faces a lengthy custodial sentence.

Images: Northern Beaches Advocate (file)