A man will appear in court today charged as part of an ongoing investigation into property-related crime in rural areas throughout the state’s west and Hunter Valley region earlier this year.
In February 2023, Strike Force Llangollan was established by the Rural Crime Prevention Team from the Orana Mid-Western and Hunter Valley Police Districts to investigate rural property crime throughout the Cassilis and Mudgee areas.
On Monday (15 May 2023) Rural Crime Investigators and other police responded to reports of a stolen Toyota Landcruiser – reportedly stolen from a Twelve Mile property – travelling between Wellington and Mudgee; however, the vehicle was unable to be stopped.
As part of ongoing inquiries, officers attached to the Hunter Valley Rural Crime Prevention Team were patrolling the Kurri Kurri area yesterday (Tuesday 18 May 2023) and stopped the stolen Toyota Landcruiser –on Victoria Street about 11am.
The driver, a 31-year-old woman, was arrested. Police attended a nearby hotel where a 30-year-old man was also arrested.
They were both taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with 15 offences including;
*aggravated break and enter dwelling in company – steal,
*steal firearm or imitation firearm,
*acquire etc firearm – subject to prohibition order
*break and enter house – steal,
*enter dwelling with intent to steal,
*larceny
*enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence
*take and drive conveyance without consent of owner,
*dishonestly obtain property by deception,
*drive motor vehicle during disqualification period,
*commit s114 offence, having previous conviction,
*supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis,
*police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly,
*drive recklessly/furiously or speed /manner dangerous, and
*breach of bail
The Gulgong man was refused bail to appear before Cessnock Local Court today (Wednesday 17 May 2023).
The Cessnock woman was charged with drive conveyance taken w/o consent of owner, two recklessly deal with proceeds of crime, custody of knife in public place, possess ammunition w/o holding licence/permit/authority, licence expired less than 2 years before, and goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not m/v).
She was granted conditional bail to appear at Kurri Kurri Local Court on Tuesday 27 June 2023.
Investigations under Strike Force Llangollan continue.
Anyone with information about Strike Force Dozer 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.
