A SHIRTLESS teenager has escaped police after a dramatic on-foot pursuit through backyards in Tolland on Thursday morning.
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The 16-year-old alleged serial firebug was out on bail and slated to enter a drug rehabilitation centre when he went rogue and disappeared.
Detectives locked down the neighbourhood about 10am and set up a perimeter between Maher Street, Holloway Street and Martin Street.
Despite the high-priority response, the 16-year-old was able to elude officers and flee.
“Unfortunately he slipped through the net,” Inspector Peter McLay said.
“We’d like to thank all of the local residents who allowed police access to their homes and yards during this search.
Detective Inspector Darren Cloake claims the Dareton teen is a repeat offender who has stolen and torched dozens of cars during his tenure in Wagga.
“He’s been committing all of the offences we’ve been trying to target and reduce,” he said.
“The perpetrator has friends and relatives here, so they will certainty be of interest.
“We want to find him before we have another burnt-out car or another burgled house.”
A duo of juveniles also left their mark on the city overnight, with two 15-year-old’s robbing a taxi driver after leaving a cab at the Kooringal Mall about 2am.
Detectives located the two teenagers – both already known to police –on Spooner Avenue and subsequently arrested them.
While formal charges have not yet been laid, it is expected the duo will face some form of repercussion in the coming days.
The spate of youth crime prompted Inspector Peter McLay to call for increased parental accountability.
“Obviously the degree of responsibility parents take is not enough” he said.
“We aren’t legally allowed to interview juveniles until we receive permission from their parent or guardian and this often proves very difficult.”
It is understood police have had their hands tied on a number of occasions due to not having permission from an offender’s parent.
The runaway Dareton boy is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, has black hair and was last seen wearing tracksuit pants.