Police have charged 16 people during a three-day high-visibility operation focused on preventing and disrupting crime in the state's west.
Between Thursday 25 June 2026 and Saturday 27 June 2026, officers attached to Central West Police District – assisted by Western Region Operations Support Group, Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team, Region Enforcement Squad and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command – saturated the Orange area under Operation Soteria to target and reduce crime.
As a result of the operation, police arrested and charged 16 people, and a further five people were issued with either future court attendance notices or field court attendance notices
Officers conducted 20 person searches and 31 checks relating to bail compliance and apprehended domestic violence orders.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command conducted 53 random roadside breath tests, two positive random drug tests and issued 15 traffic infringement notices.
Incidents of note include,
- On Thursday 25 June 2026, police arrested a 13-year-old boy at an address in Orange. He was charged with common assault and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal). He was given conditional bail to appear before a children's court on Monday 3 August 2026.
- About 11.45pm on Friday 26 June 2026, police were patrolling the Orange area when they attempted to stop a Kia hatchback on Woodward Street. When the driver allegedly failed to stop despite a police direction to do so, a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit continued through the Orange township before turning onto Oleander Street. The hatchback collided with a gutter causing the car to be inoperable. The driver – a 27-year-old - man allegedly ran from the hatchback, and after a foot pursuit, was arrested in Elephant Park. He was taken to Orange Police Station and charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed and novice driver with novice range prescribed concentration of alcohol. He was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Court 4 on Saturday 27 June 2026 where he was formally refused bail to appear at Orange Local Court on Thursday 16 July 2026.
- About 3.15pm on Saturday 27 June 2026, police were patrolling the Mitchell Highway, Molong, when they sighted an alleged stolen vehicle. About 1km north of the Molong township, road spikes were successfully deployed. When the driver allegedly failed to stop despite a police direction to do so, a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit continued through the Molong township and south on the Mitchell Highway towards Orange. A short time later the vehicle stopped, and police arrested a 13-year-old boy. He was taken to Orange Police Station and charged with take and drive conveyance without consent of the owner and police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, and breach of bail. The boy was refused bail to appear at a children's court today (Sunday 28 June 2026).
Further Operation Soteria surges are being planned for the future.
