Police are calling for the public’s help after sheep were stolen from a property near Illabo.
Police are trying a new tack in the investigation of stock theft in the Riverina late last year.
A farming family took a devastating hit in the lead-up to Christmas with the theft of 170 merino ewes from their property near Illabo.
Police say the ewes were stolen from the property between 24 October and 29 November last year, leaving a massive gap in breeding programs as well as the financial loss of the sheep.
Riverina Policing District’s Rural Crime Investigators (RCIs) have been conducting a number of inquiries in an attempt to recover the sheep and/or deal with those responsible for the theft.
RCIs are now publishing the victim’s earmark, seen in the diagrams below, which are considered to be very distinctive.
Police are publishing the diagrams in the hope that a member of the public or rural industry may recognise the markings and be able to provide police information to help identify the offender or establishing the whereabouts of the stolen sheep.
“Sadly, this is another example of a devastating loss suffered by a farming family, and in the lead-up to the festive season, which is doubly disappointing,” NSWP Rural Crime Prevention Team South-West Zone Coordinator Detective Sergeant Damian Nott said.
“Producers are finally looking for some relief after ongoing challenges for the industry, the latest, of course, being sustained periods of wet and flooding.”
Detective Sergeant Nott has encouraged people to take note of the above listed sheep earmarks. Photo: Supplied.
“I would urge anyone with information about this theft to come forward or to at least take note of the listed earmarks for future reference.”
Detective Sergeant Nott said protecting the rural industry was a big job and no single agency could do it alone.
“Please play your part and make contact if you have information about this, or any other rural crimes.”
If you have information about this or any other rural crime, please get in touch with a rural crime investigator through your nearest Police Station or by contacting Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 33 000.
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