Five people have been charged following an investigation into the theft of multiple firearms, unregistered motorbikes and other property in the state's central west last month.
Police commenced an investigation following reports that multiple firearms and unregistered motorbikes were stolen from a property on the Golden Highway, Uabry, about 33km east of Dunedoo, between 3pm on Saturday 26 July 2025 and 3pm Sunday 27 July 2025.
In July 2025, investigators attached to the Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT) established Strike Force Redhill to investigate the circumstances surrounding the break-in.
Police were told nine rifles, five unregistered motorbikes, two compound bows, power tools, knives, and hunting gear were allegedly stolen from a shed on the property.
Two motorbikes were recovered on the property.
Following inquiries, about 11.20am on Tuesday 5 August 2025, during patrols of Dunedoo rural crime investigators sighted three men standing around a dirt bike in a lane way behind Digilah Road.
Police approached the men and conducted searches, where they seized a single barrel shotgun, and the dirt bike believed to have been stolen from the property in Uabry.
The two men aged – 23 and 35 – were arrested and taken to Mudgee Police Station.
The younger man was taken to his home on Tucklan Street, Dunedoo, where police seized fhree firearms, a revolver, and ammunition, before he was taken to the Dunedoo Police Station.
The 35-year-old was charged with,
- Aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal (three counts)
- Use, supply, acquire, possess stolen firearm or part (12 counts)
- Steal firearm or imitation firearm (13 counts)
- Larceny (two counts)
- Possess ammunition w/o holding licence/permit/authority, and
- Deal with property proceeds of crime.
The younger man was charged with,
- Not keep firearm safely-not pistol/prohibited (three counts)
- Possess unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm (two counts)
- Use, supply, acquire, possess stolen firearm or part (two counts)
- Possess stolen firearm or part
- Possess loaded firearm public place
- Possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, and
- Possess unauthorised pistol.
Following further inquiries, about 12.45pm on Wednesday 6 August 2025, police conducted a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) search and a subsequent search warrant at a home on Ulan Road, Cooks Gap.
During the search strike force officers located and seized vials of testosterone, and crystalline substance believed to be methylamphetamine.
Police also executed a further search warrant a short time later at a storage shed on Saleyards Lane, Gulgong, where they seized testosterone.
A 34-year-old man was arrested at Mudgee Local Court and was taken to Mudgee Police Station.
He was charged with two counts possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance, acquire firearm part - subject to prohibition order, possess prohibited drug, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
About 10.30am on Thursday 7 August 2025, strike force officers attended a home on Springe Ridge Road, Gulgong, and searched the home after speaking with the owner.
Officers located and seized, three rifles – two alleged to be stolen and one believed to be registered to the owner, and ammunition.
The 55-year-old man was given a future court attendance notice for not keep firearm safely-not pistol/prohibited firearm, and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
Following further inquiries, about 9.20am yesterday (Wednesday 13 August 2025), a 17-year-old boy attended Dunedoo Police Station where he was arrested and taken to Mudgee Police Station.
He was charged with two counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal, thirteen counts of steal firearm or imitation firearm, and steal motor vehicle.
The older man will appear at Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday 1 October 2025.
The 35-year-old man was refused bail and appeared at Local Bail Division Court 4 on Wednesday 6 August 2025, where he was formerly refused bail to appear at Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday 27 August 2025.
The 34-year-old man was refused bail and appeared at Local Bail Division Court 4 on Thursday 7 August 2025, where he was formerly refused bail to appear at Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday 15 October 2025.
The 23-year-old man was refused bail and appeared at Local Bail Division Court 4 on Wednesday 6 August 2025, where he was given conditional bail to appear at Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday 27 August 2025.
The boy was given conditional bail to appear at a children's court on Wednesday 10 September 2025.
Inquiries are continuing.
