Teen charged, refused bail over armed home invasion

A TEENAGER has been charged and refused bail over an alleged late-night home invasion in Wagga in which three masked intruders, one allegedly armed with a firearm, forced their way into a home and threatened a young man.

The 19-year-old was arrested in Albury on Monday as part of Strike Force Arctis, a major Riverina Police District investigation into a series of aggravated break-ins, home invasions and firearm-related incidents.

Police allege three people dressed in black and with their faces covered forced their way into a home on Chifley Crescent at Kooringal about 11.30pm on Saturday, September 5.

One of the intruders was allegedly armed with a firearm.

Once inside, the trio allegedly threatened a 23-year-old man before stealing three bags containing household items and fleeing the property.

The occupant was not injured.

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Riverina Police District officers established a crime scene and launched an investigation into the incident.

Three days later, on Tuesday, September 8, police were called to a nearby address after a large knife was discovered.

The weapon was seized and subsequently underwent forensic examination.

Following further inquiries, Murray River Police District officers attended an address on Crisp Street, Albury, about 2.30pm on Monday, September 14, where they arrested a 19-year-old man.

He was taken to Albury Police Station and charged with special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence.

Police refused the teenager bail and he appeared before a bail court on Tuesday, where he was formally refused bail.

He is due to appear before Albury Local Court on Tuesday, November 10.

Strike Force Arctis was established by Riverina Police District in September to investigate a number of aggravated break and enters, home invasions and firearm-related incidents across the region.

Police investigations under the strike force remain ongoing.