The alleged incidents happened in Yass Valley and Eurobodalla Shire in recent weeks. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Three people are facing a raft of charges after allegedly stealing an excavator and an ATM in regional NSW.
A NSW Police spokesperson said the alleged incidents occurred in Sutton and Batemans Bay.
Rural crime investigators attached to the Southern Zone Rural Crime Prevention Team launched an investigation on 1 September, after a Caterpillar-brand front-end loader excavator and grapple hitch were allegedly stolen from a quarry on Federal Highway, Sutton.
The excavator and attachments are valued at $150,000, police say.
Detectives executed a search warrant at a property on Dicks Creek Road, Yass River, on 3 September.
Police allegedly found the excavator, the grapple and hitch attachments, ammunition and a gel blaster.
Officers continued their investigations, and last Monday (29 September), detectives attached to South Coast Police District, with the assistance of Southern Zone Rural Crime Team, started a separate investigation.
They were looking into the alleged theft of an ATM in the early morning from a business on Beach Road in Batemans Bay.
At about 6 am, police attended Princes Highway at Cullendulla, and spoke to two men (aged 27 and 36).
The younger man allegedly ran from police, starting an extensive search and foot chase.
Police apprehended the man on Myamba Parade, Surfside. Both men were arrested and taken to Batemans Bay Police Station.
A 28-year-old woman was also arrested and taken to Batemans Bay Police Station. Police will allege she helped the younger man evade officers, the spokesperson said.
A subsequent search was conducted on the men and the woman, with police allegedly seizing $59,000 in cash.
Police are also expected to allege the men were involved in the break-and-enter at the Sutton quarry.
The 36-year-old man has been charged with 15 offences:
- Destroy or damage property (two counts)
- Enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse
- Steal motor vehicle
- Larceny value greater than $15000 (two counts)
- Dishonestly interfere/copy unique identifier
- Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty
- Goods suspected stolen in/on premises (two counts)
- Goods suspected stolen in/on premises (motor vehicle)
- Owner not disclose identity of driver/passenger
- Destroy etc property in company use fire etc greater than $5000
- Aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, and
- Knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
He faced the Bail Division – Court 6 on Wednesday (1 October), where he was formally refused bail and will appear before Batemans Bay Local Court on 1 December.
The 27-year-old man has been charged with eight offences:
- Possess unauthorised firearm
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority
- Possess prohibited drug (two counts)
- Destroy etc property in company use fire etc greater than $5000
- Aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence
- Knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and
- Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty.
He faced the Bail Division – Court 7 on Wednesday (1 October), where he was formally refused bail and will appear before Batemans Bay Local Court on 24 November.
The 28-year-old woman is facing two charges – receiving/disposing of stolen property (greater than $5000) and recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime (greater than $5000).
She was granted conditional bail and is next scheduled to appear before Batemans Bay Local Court on 20 October.
Phillips who should just get on with HER OWN job that taxpayers fund and stop pushing HER OWN… View