The State Crime Command has not confirmed wanted Dubbo man Malcolm Naden is responsible for the theft of a rifle from a property near Gloucester.
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A resident of the district told the Newcastle Herald that local police strongly suspected the man wanted in relation to the murder of one Dubbo woman and the disappearance of another was responsible for the series of break and enters.
State Crime Command detectives were aware of the break and enters, but there was no information to confirm any links to the Naden case, a command spokeswoman said yesterday.
Naden has been on the run since July 2005 when the body of Kristy Scholes, the partner of his cousin, was found in Naden’s bedroom.
In the January prior to Ms Scholes’ murder, cousin Lateesha Nolan was reported missing after she was last seen at the same West Dubbo home of a family member.
In August 2005 police issued a warrant for Naden’s arrest and a statewide appeal for information.
Two years after the disappearance of Ms Nolan police put a $50,000 bounty on the head of the murder suspect.
Acting premier and police minister John Watkins said it was the first in the state since the hunt for Ned Kelly and his gang in the 1870s, the Sydney Morning Herald reported at the time.
Naden sightings resurfaced in the Newcastle Herald report on Saturday that said Naden was believed to be armed and terrorising isolated communities near the Barrington Tops, northwest of Gloucester.
The series of break-ins since about July 11 had residents on edge, especially after long-time resident Bob Stegg reported his .22 calibre rifle stolen last month, the Herald report said.
Mr Stegg, who had not reported a theft for 10 years, discovered items were missing on at least three occasions, while neighbour Tony Snow also had his place burgled.
Mr Snow said yesterday police had told him they strongly suspected Naden was responsible, the Herald report said.
The State Crime Command spokeswoman said the command’s homicide squad investigation of Naden was active and repeated the appeal for information.
“The investigation remains open and police have and will continue to follow all available lines of inquiry,” she said.
“Assistance continues to be provided by relevant local area commands in relation to any incidents that may be relevant to the investigation.
“Detectives are aware of a recent break and enter in the Manning-Great Lakes Local Area Command, however at this stage there is no information to confirm any links to the Naden case.”
