Teens Arrested in $1,000 Alcohol Theft at Sydney Bottle Shop
Store owner describes 'terrifying' ordeal as police search for four other youths involved in the rampage.
The owner of The Bottle-O Narellan Vale in Sydney's southwest fears further incidents after a group of teenagers allegedly stole $1,000 worth of alcohol during a late Saturday evening incident. CCTV footage captured five teenagers entering the store shortly after 6 p.m., attempting to conceal their identities with shirts and hoodies.
While several individuals allegedly acted as lookouts near the door, others reportedly grabbed bottles of alcohol. The confrontation escalated when the store owner, Guo Wu, 49, attempted to intervene. Her son, Santiago, 20, was allegedly punched in the left eye when he tried to stop one of the teenagers. Ms. Wu sustained minor injuries after being shoved during the incident. Both owner and son have expressed feeling on edge and fearful of future interactions with young people entering the store.
Passers-by who heard Ms. Wu's calls for help managed to detain one of the alleged perpetrators until police arrived. This individual, a 13-year-old, has been charged with larceny. The charge includes a second count of larceny related to a separate alleged theft at a business in Mount Annan earlier this year. The teenager was granted bail and is scheduled to appear in children's court on November 2.
Police are continuing their search for the four other youths believed to be involved in the alleged bottle shop rampage. The incident left smashed glass bottles and other items scattered across the store floor. Anyone with information regarding the ongoing investigation has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.