A third teenager has been charged over the violent break-ins that shook Ballina and nearby suburbs during the Christmas–New Year holiday period.

Police confirmed a 16-year-old boy was arrested yesterday afternoon in West Kempsey, becoming the third youth charged over the December 30 crime spree.

The arrest follows the earlier charging of two 15-year-old boys, both accused of involvement in the same alleged overnight rampage.

Police allege the offences occurred between 1am and 3.15am on Tuesday, December 30, targeting five homes across Ballina, East Ballina and Skennars Head.

A Porsche SUV was allegedly stolen from a home on Norton Street, Ballina, while a BMW SUV was taken from a property at Skennars Head.

About 2.15am, car keys and a wallet were allegedly stolen from a home on Pacific Terrace, East Ballina.

Police say a group of males then attempted to break into a home on Shelly Beach Road before leaving when they were unable to gain entry.

The most serious incident allegedly occurred about 3.15am at a home on Canal Road.

Police allege the group forced entry and threatened an 87-year-old woman living alone before stealing jewellery and electronics.

No physical injuries were reported.

The stolen BMW was later found abandoned in bushland near Kempsey and seized for forensic examination.

Following further inquiries, police executed search warrants in Greenhills and West Kempsey, leading to multiple arrests over the past week.

The 16-year-old was taken to Kempsey Police Station and charged with the same 13 offences as the previous two youths arrested.

The charges include aggravated break and enter in company, using violence during a serious indictable offence, motor vehicle theft and common assault.

He was refused bail and appeared before a children’s court today.

The two 15-year-old boys previously arrested also face 13 charges each and remain before the courts.

Police have not confirmed how many offenders were involved, but security footage reviewed earlier showed up to five people.

Investigations are continuing under the NSW Police Operation Soteria – a strategic statewide initiative focusing on aggravated break and enter offences, motor vehicle theft and social-media “post and boast” behaviour.

Earlier story: https://ballinanewsdaily.com.au/2025/12/from-break-ins-to-pursuits-how-a-night-of-crime-unravelled-across-ballina/

Main image, security camera images taken from one of the homes targeted in Skennars Head, (source: Ballina Crime Reports/Facebook)