An 18-year-old male has been charged in connection with a series of home invasions that took place in south-western Sydney last week, during which he allegedly assaulted two elderly women. The youth was apprehended yesterday following a police raid at a residence in Merrylands, where investigators gathered items pertinent to the case.
The accused is alleged to have invaded five homes in the Merrylands area between 4am and 6am last Thursday. Disturbingly, in two of these incidents, he allegedly committed sexual assaults against women in their 80s. Reports indicate that he threatened one victim with a knife while attempting to perpetrate sexual violence and is accused of inappropriately touching a second woman in a different home.
Crime scenes have been established at each location, prompting an investigation led by detectives from Strike Force Beigy. The suspect was arrested at the Dee Why police station on the Northern Beaches and now faces 16 charges, which include armed aggravated sexual assault, breaking and entering, and sexual touching without consent.
He has been denied bail and is set to appear in court later today.