Two men have been charged following investigations into alleged stock theft in north western NSW, NSW Police say.
Darling River Local Area Command rural crime investigators commenced Strike Force Horsell to investigate a number of alleged stock and machinery thefts in the Bourke area earlier this year.
Police will allege more than 1000 sheep were stolen from properties around Fords Bridge, about 60km northwest of Bourke, and then on-sold for financial gain.
Following investigations, on Wednesday 16 August 2017, investigators executed a crime scene warrant on a property at Fords Bridge.
Officers allegedly located a stolen bulldozer, a number of stock ear tags, four unregistered firearms, six unsecured firearms, stock records and documents, all of which were seized for further forensic examination.
On Friday 25 August 2017, a 36-year-old man attended Bourke Police Station where he was arrested.
The man was charged with steal cattle, use telecommunication device to threaten/harass/intimidate and threaten witness.
He was refused bail and appeared at Bourke Local Court today, before being granted strict conditional bail to appear at the same court on Thursday 7 September 2017.
On Saturday 26 August 2017, a 67-year-old man also attended Bourke Police Station, where he was charged with stealing cattle, larceny and possession of three or more firearms with one prohibited.
He was refused bail to appear at Bourke Local Court tomorrow.
Darling River Local Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Rod Grant said inquiries by Strike Force Horsell have established the allegedly stolen stock had a potential value well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
"While earmarking, tagging, securing your property and accurate stock recording are excellent deterrents to stock theft; I strongly encourage the rural community to report all theft and suspicious behaviour to police".
"What may appear to be a minor theft or odd behaviour to a local farmer could be the missing piece of information to help police identify an offender".
"A number of allegedly unregistered and unsecured firearms were also located during this investigation as well"; said D/Insp Grant.
"I would like to take this opportunity to remind the rural community of the current Firearms Amnesty which runs until 30 September 2017".
"Unregistered and illegal firearms are a significant risk to our community, especially when they end up in the hands of criminals".
Firearms and firearm-related items can be surrendered under amnesty arrangements at approved drop-off points, which include licensed firearm dealers, mobile stations, and police stations.
Under no circumstances should loaded firearms be taken into public places – including police stations.
Anyone with concerns about handling firearms or safely transporting them, can contact the NSW Police Force Firearms Registry for assistance.
For more information visit www.firearmsamnesty.ag.gov.au or call 1800 909 826.
