Northern Beaches Local Area Command are on the hunt for a Good Samaritan who detained one of five teenage boys allegedly shoplifting alcohol from a North Narrabeen liquor store.
On Tuesday, 7 July 2026, five teenage boys were allegedly involved in stealing over $500 of liquor from the store.
According to police, four boys entered the store, and one remained outside. When they fled, an adult man passing by intervened and grabbed one boy by the arm and detained him.
The detained boy broke loose with the help of one of his friends, but not without leaving behind items that the police used to track him down. The incident was also recorded on CCTV and all five boys were identified.
Police say they contacted their parents, who were stunned by the behaviour. All the boys will be issued with a warning under the provisions of Young Offenders Act 1997.
Anyone who knows the Good Samaritan, please contact the police so they can personally thank him (Dee Why Police Station on 9971 3399).
Man charged over $60,000 break-in spree across Northern Beaches
A 29-year-old man has been arrested and charged with more than 20 offences following a police investigation into a string of break-ins across the Northern Beaches.
According to NSW Police, the break-ins began in May, targeting homes in Manly, Manly Vale, Balgowlah and Seaforth. Property stolen included a wallet, a handbag, a computer, e-bikes and motorcycles, with the total value of stolen goods estimated at well over $60,000.
The Northern Beaches Police Area Command’s Proactive Crime Team led the investigation, which tracked the alleged offender to Wentworth Point. Police arrested the man and seized property at the scene.
The 29-year-old is now facing more than 20 charges, including break and enter a dwelling, stealing, and drug supply offences.
Not just the kids…
Do you know this man?
Meanwhile, police are seeking help from the person in the below photo in relation to a stealing and fraud incident on 27 May 2026 at Warringah Mall.
If this is you, or you know who it is, you can contact Dee Why Police Station (9971 3399), or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote the reference: E104255476
Reports can be made anonymously.
Do you know this man?
Police are also seeking help from the person in the below photo in relation to a ‘steal from person and assault incident’ outside Bucketty’s Brewery in Brookvale on 18 April 2026.
If this is you, or you know who it is, you can contact Dee Why Police Station (9971 3399), or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote the reference: C104201542
Reports can be made anonymously.
Two teens tricked into sextortion
Police are warning Northern Beaches families to be vigilant after two teenage boys were targeted in separate sextortion attempts on social media within days of each other this month.
In the first incident, a 17-year-old boy from Avalon was contacted via Instagram on 3 July 2026 by a scammer posing as a woman. The conversation turned sexual, and the pair exchanged intimate images. Soon after, the scammer demanded $500, threatening to send the images to the teenager’s contacts if he didn’t pay.
As the extortion attempt escalated, the teenager tried to make the payment using an Amazon gift card. The purchase was declined after Amazon’s systems flagged the transaction as suspicious. Police were alerted and arrived at the teenager’s home while the scammer was still on the phone attempting to extort him. Officers noted the offender spoke with an American accent, with comments during the call suggesting he was based in Texas.
Two days later, on 5 July, a 17-year-old boy from Beacon Hill was targeted in a similar scam. He began speaking with someone on an online platform before the conversation moved to Telegram, where he believed he was messaging a woman. He shared intimate images of himself, after which the other party demanded $300, again threatening to distribute the images to his contacts.
In this case, the teenager’s parent discovered what was happening, blocked the sender and reported the matter to police before any money changed hands. Investigators believe the scammer was operating out of the Philippines.
If you or someone you know needs support, the eSafety Commissioner offers guidance on image-based abuse.
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