Police have charged nine people with 20 offences under Operation Soteria during a three-day Surge operation in the Central West.
Operation Soteria is a strategic initiative focusing on aggravated break, enter and steal offences, stealing motor vehicles, and 'post and boast' offences where social media is used to gain notoriety.
The three-day surge operation ran between Thursday 31 July 2025 and Saturday 2 August 2025, with a focus on Orange, Forbes, Parkes and Bathurst.
During the operation, officers conducted 60 bail compliance and apprehended domestic violence order checks, 19 person searches and 11 vehicle searches.
Additionally, Traffic and Highway Patrol officers conducted 434 stationary and mobile random breath tests, and issued 90 traffic infringement notices, as well as eight positive random drug tests.
Two incidents of note,
- About 9.15pm on Saturday 3 August 2025, officers attached to Chifley Police District were patrolling the Bathurst area when they attempted to stop a sedan on Boyd Street. When the driver allegedly failed to stop a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit police deployed road spikes successfully before the car hit a bush on Green Street. The driver and passenger both allegedly attempted to run from the scene; however, police arrested them nearby.
Both the driver – a 40-year-old man – and passenger – a 28-year-old woman – were taken to Bathurst Police Station. The man was charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, class A motor vehicle exceed speed over 45 km/h, and possess prohibited drug.
Police executed an outstanding warrant on the woman for a kidnapping-related offence.
The pair were refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court yesterday (Sunday 3 August 2025), where they were formerly refused bail to appear at Bathurst Local Court on Wednesday 6 August 2025.
- Officers attached to Central West Police District were patrolling Kite Street, Orange, when they stopped a ute with an unsecured load. Police spoke with the driver and the passenger before conducting a search on the passenger. Police located methylamphetamine, cannabis, and cash.
The passenger – a 61-year-old man – was taken to Orange Police Station and charged with three counts of possess prohibited drug, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. He was given conditional bail to appear at Orange Local Court on Thursday 7 August 2025.
Inquiries under Operation Soteria continue.
