Two men have been charged following multiple alleged ATM thefts in the New England.
In June 2024, officers attached to Oxley Police District established Strike Force Pell to investigate the multiple break and enter related offences in the region.
About 9.15pm on Thursday 6 June 2024, police were called to a business on Single Street, Werris Creek, following reports of an ATM theft.
Police were told that an unknown man allegedly entered the premises and took an ATM in a trolly before fleeing the scene with it.
About 9.15am on Sunday 23 June 2024, police were called to a motel on New England Highway, Willow Tree, following reports of a break and enter.
Police were told that about 3.50am earlier that morning, two unknown men entered the premises and stole an ATM machine before fleeing the scene in a black dual-cab utility which had been parked outside.
Following initial inquiries, about 1.30pm on Sunday 23 June 2024, police recovered an ATM – partially submerged - in the Quipolly Dam, about an hour north of Willow Tree. The machine was seized for a forensic examination.
About 5:11am yesterday (Saturday 20 July 2024), police were called to a business on the New England Highway, Wallabadah, following reports an ATM had been stolen.
Police attended and established a crime scene and commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following inquiries, about 5:20pm, investigators from Oxley Police District, with assistance from New England and Orana Mid-Western Police Districts, attended a property at Lake Keepit, Somerton, and arrested a 44-year-old man.
During a search of the property, police located and seized tools, clothing, drugs and money.
He was taken to Tamworth Police Station and charged with three counts of break and enter house etc steal, larceny, fail to comply digital evidence access order direction, and possess prohibited drug.
About 10:15pm, police attended a home on McGregor Place, West Tamworth, and arrested a 39-year-old man.
He was taken to Tamworth Police Station and charged with two counts of break and enter house etc steal, larceny.
The 44-year-old was refused bail to appear before Tamworth Local Court today (Sunday 21 July 2024).
The 39-year-old was granted conditional bail to appear before Tamworth Local Court on Monday 12 August 2024.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
