Man Charged With Recruiting Teens in Sydney Car Theft Ring

Riverstone, Australia - A 22-year-old man has been charged with leading a criminal group that allegedly paid teenagers to steal vehicles in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW) police said on Thursday January 29, 2026.

Police allege the man recruited youths to carry out the thefts in exchange for cash, following an investigation sparked by two stolen cars in early January.

The charges stem from an incident on January 6, when officers responded to a break-in on Wellbank Street in Concord around 1:30 a.m., where a white Hyundai i30 and a Mercedes sedan were reported stolen.

Around 2:20 a.m., Blacktown Police Area Command officers pursued the Hyundai in Doonside.

NSW Police said the chase ended after road spikes were deployed on Richmond Road near the M7 motorway, bringing the vehicle to a stop on Paget Street.

The alleged driver, a 16-year-old boy, was arrested and charged with multiple offences, including not stopping to police leading to a pursuit, driving dangerously, taking and driving a vehicle without consent, aggravated entrance to a dwelling with intent to commit a serious indictable offence knowing people were present, and related theft charges.

He was refused bail and appeared at a children's court on January 6, where bail was again refused.

He is due back in court on February 13.

Later the same morning at around 7 a.m., police spotted the other vehicle, a Mercedes in Doonside, and arrested a 15-year-old boy after the vehicle stopped on Mountview Avenue.

He was charged with being in a vehicle taken without consent and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.

He was refused bail initially but granted conditional bail at children's court the same day, with his next appearance scheduled for February 10.

Investigators from Strike Force Sweetenham continued inquiries, culminating in a search warrant executed on yesterday, Thursday January 29, at a home on Cruickshank Crescent in Riverstone.

Officers seized A$10,900 (US$7600) in cash and mobile devices.

The 22-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Riverstone Police Station.

He was charged with knowingly directing activities of a criminal group, recruiting a child to carry out or assist in criminal activities, two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, receiving a motor vehicle part related to serious theft, failing to comply with a digital evidence access order and possessing a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device to commit serious criminal activity.

He was denied bail and appeared at Blacktown Local Court yesterday.

"Police will allege in court that the man recruited youths to steal motor vehicles in exchange for money," a NSW Police statement said.

No further details on the alleged payments or the scale of the operation were released.

The investigation remains ongoing.