On Tuesday 2 July, an 18-year old male was arrested at a home in Dapto and has been charged with 13 offences.

Police allege that in June, the man broke into a house in Shellharbour, stole a car and drove the stolen car to Kiama Downs and attempted to break into more vehicles.

Police also allege that the same man was involved in the aggravated break and enter and the theft of two vehicles from Mount Kembla in May.

The man was refused bail and appeared before Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday 3 July.

The man was charged as a part of Operation Regional Mongoose, which tackles serious property-related crime committed predominately by young offenders.