A man and a woman were charged with a total of 18 fraud offences. Photo: File.
Riverina police have charged a couple with a litany of fraud offences spanning across the Riverina and Sydney following a joint investigation.
Cumberland Police Area Command investigated a 31-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman who were identified as being involved in alleged multiple fraud incidents across the Sydney and Newcastle areas between 27 February and 26 March.
Police said officers from the Riverina Police District Proactive Crime Team received a report of fraud at a retail outlet in East Wagga Wagga on Tuesday, 26 March.
Following the joint investigation, police went to a house in Angel Place, Lake Albert, about 11 am the next day. A 31-year-old man was arrested after he ran from the house and scaled the roof of a nearby property. A 25-year-old woman was arrested inside the house without incident.
Police executed a search warrant at the house and allegedly found a large quantity of electrical equipment and paperwork connected to multiple fraud matters.
Officers also seized a white Subaru WRX sedan. Inquiries revealed the car was reported stolen from Marrickville on 16 March. A search of the vehicle yielded a small-calibre handgun. Inquiries are continuing into the vehicle and the firearm, which will be subjected to forensic examination and ballistic testing.
The pair was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station, where they were charged with a total of 18 offences.
The man was charged with two counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity, driving with an expired licence, and two counts of police pursuit, driving a vehicle while an illicit drug is present in the blood, and more.
The woman was also charged with two counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity, knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime and dealing with identity information to commit an indictable offence.
The offences are alleged to have occurred at East Wagga, Castle Hill, Manly, Mereweather, Bankstown Newcastle East and Rutherford.
They were both refused bail and appeared at Wagga Wagga Local Court on 28 March.
Inquiries continue and further charges are expected to be laid.
Loading ...
