The network of criminals preying on rural properties across the western plains has taken another blow following the arrest of a man in Nyngan this week as part of an ongoing investigation.

In March 2023, Strike Force Dozer was established by officers from the Rural Crime Prevention Team and Orana Mid-Western Police District, to investigate rural property crime throughout the Narromine, Warren, Trangie, Nyngan and Cobar areas.

In the latest instance, ongoing inquiries led investigators to a home on Mudal Street in Nyngan at about 1.30pm on Wednesday 9 November 2023 where they arrested a 18-year-old man.

He was taken to Dubbo Police Station and charged with:

• police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously (two counts)
• steal motor vehicle (five counts)
• drive conveyance taken without consent of owner (three counts)
• drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
• larceny value (four counts)
• damage property by fire/exp >$15000 (three counts)
• enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence (three counts)
• take and drive conveyance without consent of owner
• possess prohibited drug and,
• goods suspected stolen in/on premises.

One of the quad bikes suspected stolen recovered at Carinda earlier this year. IMAGE: Police media

The man was refused bail and appeared at a children’s court yesterday (Thursday 9 November 2023), where he was formerly refused bail to appear at the same court on Monday 20 November 2023.

Strike Force Dozer has now seen a number of arrests across the region including:

• a 24 year old man in Carinda on 28 April,
• three men aged 23, 30 and 51 from Narromine, Warren and Nyngan on 4 May,
• a 23 year old Narromine man on 11 May, and
• a 21 year old in Nyngan on 24 May.

Investigations are continuing.

Anyone with information about Strike Force Dozer 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.