Police have charged a man for multiple property offences in the state's west.
In January 2025, officers attached to Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT) and Orana Mid-Western Police District established Strike Force Compartment to investigate break and enter offences at a number of rural properties in Dunedoo and Gulgong areas.
- On Sunday 15 December 2024, police attended a rural property on Golden Highway, Dunedoo, following reports of a number of firearms were stolen. Police were told two registered firearms and ammunition were stolen sometime between Wednesday 11 December 2024 and Sunday 15 December 2024.
- On Saturday 11 January 2025, police were called to another address on Golden Highway, Duneddo, following reports of a SUV had been stolen. Following inquiries, about 4pm on Thursday 16 January 2025, the vehicle was located abandoned on Montaza Road, Tallawang. The vehicle was seized to be forensically examined.
- On Thursday 16 January 2025, police were told a car battery, front and rear number plates attached to a Ute, a mechanical tool and a trail camera were stolen from a business on Station Street, Gulgong. It is believed the items were stolen about 5am on Wednesday 15 January 2025.
Inquiries allege the three incidents are linked.
Following extensive inquiries, about 9am on Wednesday 3 April 2025, detectives attached to RCPT, with the assistance from Operations Support Group, executed a search warrant at a home on Caigan Street, Dunedoo, where a 32-year-old man was arrested.
Police also seized items including ammunition, an amount of substances – believed to be 1.2g of Cannabis leaf and 2.1g of alleged amphetamine –, mobile phone devices, along with mechanical tools.
He was taken to Mudgee Police Station where he was charged with 17 offences:
- Seven counts of goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not motor vehicle)
- Two counts of steal firearm or imitation firearm
- Three counts of acquire etc firearm -subject to prohibition order
- Three counts of larceny
- Steal motor vehicle, and
- Acquire etc ammunition subject to prohibition order.
He was refused bail to appear at Lithgow Local Court today (Friday 4 April 2025).
Inquiries under Strike Force Compartment continue.
