Two men, including an officer attached to the Southern region, will appear in court today charged following an alleged aggravated break and enter in north western NSW earlier this month.
About 7.30pm on Thursday 3 October 2024, emergency services were called to a property in Lightning Ridge following reports two men had allegedly forced entry to the home and tied up the 78-year-old occupant before threatening him and stealing $100,000 cash.
The elderly man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for arm and leg injuries, before being taken to Lightning Ridge Hospital in a stable condition. He has since been released.
Officers attached to Central North Police District commenced an investigation with the matter referred to the Professional Standards Command after one of the men allegedly involved was identified as an off-duty police officer.
Following extensive investigations under Strike Force Beniel, yesterday (Thursday 24 October 2024), detectives – with assistance from specialist officers – executed search warrants at two homes in the Lake Illawarra area seizing several items relevant to the investigation.
During a subsequent vehicle stop at Shell Cove, investigators arrested a 36-year-old off-duty senior constable and a 51-year-old man.
Both men were taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where they were charged with aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence.
They were both refused bail to appear before Wollongong Local Court today (Friday 25 October 2024).
Investigations under Strike Force Beniel remain ongoing.
The officer's employment status is under review.
