Oxley police arrest teenager in Gunnedah on firearm charges | Strike Force Western Mongoose

A 16-year-old boy will front a children's court next week after detectives laid charges in Gunnedah about midday on Wednesday.

Officers dedicated to Strike Force Western Mongoose - the operation targeting property crime in the Oxley Police District - arrested the teenager as part of the probe.

Oxley police Detective Inspector Jason Darcy is at the helm of the strike force and told the Leader no one had been put at risk when the shots were allegedly fired.

He said the teenager had allegedly been "reckless" by shooting a gun while travelling in the Gunnedah area.

"It wasn't targeted," he said.

The boy faces a string of firearm allegations , including two counts of firing a firearm in a manner likely to injure people or property.

He was further charged with two counts of entering a vehicle or a boat without consent of the owner or occupant, as well as break and enter and steal.

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Strike Force Western Mongoose - made up of more than a dozen detectives, highway patrol officers, proactive police, the dog squad and the youth command - was launched in April to crack down on car thefts and break-ins.

Officers homed in on three teenagers last week, while a 37-year-old man was slapped with charges of fraud, larceny and breaching bail after the strike force swooped on him in Tamworth.

The man was refused bail ahead of his next court date in Gunnedah in July.

Detective Inspector Darcy reminded residents to lock all doors, including garages, and never leave keys in cars. He urged petrol stations and late-night restaurants to report suspicious activity to police.

Strike Force Western Mongoose investigations continue.

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