A man will face court charged after allegedly stealing farm equipment from the state's southwest.
Police will allege about 6.45pm on Tuesday 12 May 2026, a 36-year-old man was driving an unregistered Ford Ranger on the Gap Hall Coolamon Road, The Gap, towing a plant trailer and bobcat when the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree.
It will be further alleged the man unhitched the trailer and left the scene with the bobcat.
A short time later, the man was stopped driving into Wagga Wagga, where he allegedly returned a positive reading to a roadside drug test.
Following inquiries yesterday, (Wednesday 13 May 2026) officers attached to Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT) Riverina confirmed both the bobcat and trailer were allegedly stolen from separate locations within the last three months.
About 2.50pm, Rural Crime Investigators from Wagga Wagga arrested the 36-year-old man at a premises on Nunkeri Place, Glenfield Park.
He was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station where he was charged with,
- Receive motor vehicle part-theft=serious indictable offence more than $5000 (two counts)
- Negligent driving
- Use class A vehicle displaying misleading number plate
- Owner drive unregistered vehicle on road/road related area
- Use uninsured motor vehicle on road
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 5 today (Thursday 14 May 2026)
The bobcat and trailer have a combined estimated value of $75,000.
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.
