Police in the Mid-Western region are urging residents to lock-up following a ‘spate of stealing offences from cars’ in the Mudgee township.
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Chief Inspector Jeff Boon, from the Orana-Mid-Western District, said more than 20 offences have occurred over the past few days.
“Mostly we have had items, including wallets, taken from unlocked cars,” Insp Boon said. “Some cases have occurred where stolen credit cards have been used to commit further offences.”
The majority of offences have occurred overnight, so Insp Boon has a clear message.
“If I could ask that people please lock their cars, even in your own driveways,” he said.
“Never leave valuables in a car, locked or unlocked.
“We are currently mounting an operation to target the issue and ask anyone with information to contact Mudgee Police or Crime Stoppers.”
Data, released this month from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR), reveals ‘Steal from Motor Vehicle’ offences increased from 95 to 123 in the Mid-Western Local Government Area from January 2016 to December 2017.
The rate per 100,000 population is classified as ‘stable’ at 500.6 and is on-par with the state rate of 504.4.
Arrest for Illegal Hunting, Firearm offences
On January 2, a 2003 Yamaha WRF450 was stolen from a rural property in the Green Gully Area. Rural Crime Prevention Team police from Mudgee attended and commenced investigations.
A 20-year-old man from Western Sydney was arrested and charged at the Mudgee Police Station with a number of offences.
Further investigations resulted in police uncovering evidence of further offences on neighbouring properties. On March 21, the same male was arrested and charged with two more offences of Trespassing with Firearm and Entering Private Land to Hunt Without Consent of the Owner.
This man is next due to appear at Mudgee Court on May 9. This recent arrest was assisted greatly with technology installed on the property by the landholder.
