Teen charged after Doonside memorial allegedly vandalised - Raptor Squad

Wednesday, 12 June 2024 09:29:43 AM

Raptor Squad officers have charged a teenager for allegedly vandalising a memorial following the death of a teenager at Doonside earlier this year.

Following the death of an 18-year-old boy at Doonside in April 2024, a memorial was established by family and friends on Power Street.

On Monday 15 April 2024, the memorial was allegedly damaged after three people attended the site, physically kicking the items and dispersing them over the roadway.

The incident was filmed and distributed via social media and officers from the State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad commenced an investigation under Strike force Impede.

As part of inquiries, investigators executed search warrant at homes in Eastern Creek and Ropes Crossing in May 2024, seizing mobile phones and clothing relevant to the investigation.

Following further inquiries, a 17-year-old boy was arrested by investigators after he attended Mt Druitt Police Station about 11.20am yesterday (Tuesday 11 June 2024).

He was charged with affray, destroy or damage property, and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction.

Police will allege in court that the teen, a member of a western Sydney street gang, posed as a fellow mourner before deliberately damaging the memorial and fleeing.

The teen was granted strict conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Monday 24 June 2024.

Investigations under Strike Force Impede continue.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

^