Sextortion on the rise
Police are urging parents and carers to have open conversations with their children about online safety and sextortion following recent incidents involving young victims.
Several young people have reported being targeted after taking and sharing intimate images online. Offenders have then allegedly demanded money and threatened to distribute the images to family members, friends, or on social media if their demands were not met.
A 13-year-old Killarney Heights local is the latest reported victim of sextortion. After sharing intimate images online, the young person was allegedly demanded money and was threatened that their images would be sent around if payment was not fulfilled.
Police have urged for anyone who is a victim of sextortion to not send money, cease all contact, preserve evidence and report to police immediately.
Teens at centre of break-and-enter
A robbery at Warringah Mall on 26 September has seen two teenage girls charged. At around 11pm, CCTV footage allegedly showed four young people in the Warringah Mall food court putting on hooded jumpers and balaclavas before approaching a kiosk. The group allegedly entered, removed stock and tried to gain access to the cash register.
Police were notified and arrested a 14-year-old and 15-year-old girl who were then taken to Manly Police Station.
Both were charged with a number of offences relating to the alleged break and enter and were refused bail by police. They were granted conditional bail.
In a separate incident, the same girls were allegedly involved in a robbery at Warriewood Square just two days later.
It is alleged three young females approached a 14-year-old girl and her two friends before following them into a car park. The group allegedly demanded money from the victim, with the victim allegedly giving them the money. However, they continued to follow her and one of the three allegedly punched the victim and another allegedly punched and kicked her repeatedly.
During the incident, the victim’s mobile phone and handbag were allegedly stolen. The assault ceased when members of the public intervened.
Following inquiries by officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command, investigators identified links between the robbery and the alleged break and enter two nights earlier.
The teenage girls previously arrested over the break and enter were subsequently charged with robbery in company and breach of bail offences. They were refused bail by police and granted conditional bail at Surry Hills children’s court.
Man charged after alleged Ausgrid substation break-in
A man has been charged after allegedly breaking into an electrical substation in Allambie Heights.
About 10.45pm on 26 September, emergency services were contacted by Ausgrid security staff who allegedly observed a man using power tools to cut through the perimeter fence to enter the substation.
While doing a search of the premises, police allegedly located a backpack with various items as well as a man allegedly hiding inside an empty electrical housing.
The man was arrested and, during subsequent investigations, police allegedly located a toolbox containing multiple power tools, including a grinder, reciprocating saw, drills, rubber gloves and various hand tools.
Police will allege the 45-year-old man from Balgowlah was taken to Manly Police Station where he was processed and charged with offences relating to entering the secure facility and attempting to steal property. The man was granted conditional bail and will appear at Manly Local Court on 14 October.
