An 18-year-old man has been charged following a series of alleged home invasions in south-western Sydney, during which two elderly women were reportedly sexually assaulted.
The incidents took place in the early hours of Thursday morning in Merrylands, sparking a police investigation that led to the arrest of the accused in a raid at a residence in the suburb.
According to police, the suspect is accused of breaking into multiple homes between 4am and 6am, targeting properties within a two-kilometre radius. During these alleged break-ins, two women in their 80s were reportedly assaulted.
In one particularly distressing case, a woman awoke to find the intruder in her bed, allegedly holding a knife to her throat while demanding sex. Police say he then attempted to sexually assault her before fleeing the scene. At another home, he allegedly sexually touched a second elderly woman.
The investigation, led by detectives from Strike Force Beigy, also revealed that the offender broke into at least six homes and a vehicle within a four-and-a-half-hour timeframe
During one of these incidents, a male resident confronted the intruder, who was allegedly armed with a kitchen knife. A brief struggle ensued before the suspect fled when the resident began filming him.
Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty of the NSW Sex Crimes Squad described the offences as “among the most serious crimes we respond to,” particularly given that they involved “vulnerable members of our community.” She urged residents to ensure their homes were secured to prevent further incidents.
Following an extensive search, police recovered a large kitchen knife and one of the suspect’s shoes. Authorities believe the offender, who was described as tall, of slender build, dark-skinned, and softly spoken, may be from the local area as he was likely moving on foot between locations.
The teenager was arrested at Dee Why police station on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and now faces 16 charges, including armed aggravated sexual assault, break and enter, and sexual touching without consent. He has been refused bail and is set to appear in court later today.
Authorities continue to appeal for any witnesses or residents with security footage to come forward as investigations remain ongoing.
