Four people have been charged during a three-day surge under Operation Soteria, established to target youth crime in the western and northern regional areas of the state.
From Sunday 27 to Tuesday 29 April 2025, officers attached to New England Police District, as well as Youth Command, and Western Region Aboriginal Community Liaison officers, were deployed to Moree for the three-day operation.
As a result of the operation:
* Four people were charged with 8 offences,
* 21 bail compliance and 17 AVO compliance checks were conducted, and
* A stolen vehicle was recovered.
Arrests of note include:
* About 8.45pm on Sunday (27 April 2025), officers were conducting proactive patrols of the Moree area, when they stopped and spoke to a man, seen carrying a metal bar on Anne Street. The 22-year-old man was arrested after officers also allegedly located a Stanley knife in his possession. He was taken to Moree Police Station and charged with have custody of an offensive implement in a public place, custody of a knife in a public place, destroy or damage property, and shoplifting. He appeared at Moree Local Court on Monday (28 April 2025), where he was granted conditional bail to appear at the same court on Monday 2 June 2025.
* About 2pm yesterday (Tuesday 29 April 2025), officers attended a home on Elizabeth Street, Moree and arrested a 42-year-old man, wanted on an outstanding warrant. He was taken to Moree Police Station where the warrant was executed and he was charged with aggravated break and enter with intent - knowing person there, steal property in dwelling - house and two counts of fail to appear in accordance with bail acknowledgment. He was refused bail to appear at Inverell Local Court today (Wednesday 30 April 2025.
Investigations under Operation Soteria continue.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
