Police are appealing for public assistance following property crime offences throughout the region yesterday.
Just after midnight on Tuesday (1 August 2023), two men – one armed with a firearm – entered a service station on the Newell Highway, Narrabri, while a third man was waiting inside a Mitsubishi Triton.
The men threatened a console operator and a customer with the firearm, demanding cash and keys to a car. Attempts were made to steal the care and when they failed, the pair fled in the Triton with cash.
Two hours later the two men – one of whom was still armed with a firearm – forced entry into a home on Railway Street, Curlewis, demanding cash and drugs.
The pair threatened and assaulted the couple in the home before they fled with a mobile phone a white Nissan Qashqai. Four children home at the time were not injured.
Then at about 3.20am, police sighted to Nissan on the Oxley Highway, Bective and attempted to stop the vehicle due to excessive speed. When it failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated but it was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
Following several pursuits through Gunnedah from 8.30am, police sighted the Nissan on Heiler Street and attempted to stop the vehicle just after 3pm.
Police activated warning devices when the Nissan drove onto a nature strip colliding with a fence before crashing into a police vehicle, in an attempt to flee.
No-one was injured.
A 23-year-old man was arrested and taken to Gunnedah Police Station and charged with:
- Steal motor vehicle (x2),
- Robbery while armed with dangerous weapon (x2),
- Use offensive weapon in company with intent indictable offence (x4),
- Specially aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence-weapon,
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others (x3),
- Damage property by fire/explosive,
- Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous,
- Class A motor vehicle exceed speed more than 45km/h,
- Police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed (x4),
- Dishonestly obtain property by deception (x2),
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period,
- Possess unregistered firearm and,
- Possess unauthorised firearm.
During a search of the vehicle officers located and seized, a rifle, a knife and several sets of car keys. The Moree man was refused bail to appear at Tamworth Local Court today (Wednesday 2 August 2023).
Officers attached to Oxley Police District have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
As inquiries continue, detectives would like to speak to two men who may be able to assist with the investigation.
The men are described as being of slim build, aged in their 20’s, and all wearing dark hoodies and pants.
Initial inquiries suggest all incidents are linked and, as inquiries continue, anyone with information, or CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to call Tamworth Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident 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.
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