Farm machinery worth $155,000 was recovered. Photo: NSW Police.
A man is due in court today after he was arrested following a pursuit along the Sturt Highway to Wagga Wagga yesterday (23 July).
Detectives attached to the Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT), established Strike Force Karramindee in April this year to investigate alleged rural fuel and machinery thefts, including farm machinery valued at $155,000.
Following inquiries, officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command attempted to stop a 34-year-old man when he was seen driving a truck carrying a dirt bike along the highway at Alfredtown at about 2 pm on Thursday (23 July).
Police allege the driver ignored directions and continued west, accelerating to 120 km/h through roadworks. The pursuit was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
Officers continued to monitor the vehicle until it left the highway and drove onto private property at Mundowy Lane, Collingullie, allegedly driving through a farm boundary fence.
Police allege that when the man drove to Berry Jerry Reserve, Berry Jerry, he tried to leave on the dirt bike but was arrested by officers attached to Riverina Police District and Southern Region Enforcement Squad (Wagga).
The 34-year-old man was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station where he was charged with 17 offences relating to the alleged theft of farm machinery valued at $155,000; as well as fraud, drug possession, traffic, trespass, police pursuit, and larceny.
The man was refused bail to appear in Bail Court Division 5 on Friday (24 July).
All the allegedly stolen machinery has been recovered.
Strange, I thought city-based elites like Labor's Communications Minister Anika Wells should fix it. View