THREE men have been changed with 17 offences following an alleged illegal hunting incident.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Officers attached to Cobar Police Station received reports of a Toyota Landcruiser utility trespassing on a station at Cubba, 100 kilometres west of Cobar, on August 24.
"Police seized a vehicle, firearm and weapons," State Rural Crime Co-ordinator Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside said.
During the incident fences and a gate were damaged.
"The males allegedly involved in the rural crime offences at Mount Gap Road have now been charged with a total of 17 offences and are due to appear before Cobar Local Court on October 30," Det Insp Whiteside said.
MAP: The station is located in Cubba
A 21-year-old from Heathcote was charged with five offences; a 25-year-old from Heathcote with eight offences; and a 27-year-old from Cobar, with four offences.
The offences included:
- Enter private land to hunt animal without owner consent.
- Malicious damage to property.
- Unlawfully enter enclosed lands accompanied by hunting dog.
- Custody of knife in public place.
- Enter land with firearm.
- Possess loaded firearm public place.
- Handle firearm under the influence of alcohol.
"This arrest was solely born out of working with the local uniformed police," Det Insp Whiteside said.
Anyone with information about rural crime, especially stock theft, trespassing, firearm theft or illegal hunting, to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 00.
"The Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT) don't need to know who you are, we want to know what you know," Det Insp Whiteside said.
The RCPT was formed in March 2018, with 42 officers and four civilian staff dedicated to limiting crime in the agricultural sector. An additional 18 investigators will be added in the next three years.
While any NSW Police force officer can take a report, rural crime investigators are specialised and provide expertise to their police district.
Love local news?
Why not subscribe.
Want more news and views from across regional Australia?
Sign up below for your free Voice of Real Australia newsletter.