Royden Cameron, 18, is accused of resisting police and possessing housebreaking implements following a car stop in Donnelly Street about 1am, earlier this week.

Police stopped the car, which had five occupants, for a random breath test.

“After speaking with the occupants, police had cause to search the five along with the vehicle and will allege an 18-year-old was found in possession of housebreaking implements,” New England Detective Sergeant Matt Crotty said.

“Upon the discovery of those items, the teenager fled the scene.

“Police gave chase but the offender managed to evade officers.”

Police have been hunting Cameron, and during a coordinated operation, arrested him at a house in Armidale on Wednesday afternoon.

He was taken to Armidale Police Station and charged with two offences and refused bail.

He appeared in Armidale Local Court late on Thursday and was denied bail by magistrate Michael Holmes.

“This operation was part of a property crime operation which is a continual focus for police, but police have ramped up patrols in response to last weekend’s attempted carjacking and violent assault of a young woman in the Girraween area,” Detective Sergeant Crotty said.

“We are following a number of strong leads in that investigation to put those offenders, those cowards, before the courts because public safety is our number one priority.

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“Detectives, TAG and general duties police have arrested several wanted persons recently and we will continue to do that, and we make no apologies for the tough stance.

“That sort of crime is not tolerated in our community, and we will do everything we can to stamp it out.”

On Saturday night, an 18-year-old girl was walking to her car in the Girraween Shopping Complex shortly after 9pm and just had unlocked her vehicle when she was attacked from behind, police said. 

One of the offenders grabbed her from behind, threw her to the ground and demanded property before bashing her. She suffered facial injuries and was taken to hospital after a witness intervened.

Shortly beforehand, two males tried to flag down a car on Queen Elizabeth Drive. As the driver stopped, he told police one of the offenders “removed a coloured object which the victim believed to be a firearm”, police said.

The victim head a loud bang and drove off, police said.

Anyone with information on the incidents is urged to contact Armidale detectives on 6771 0699.