Contractors threatened, materials stolen after fires near Taree, NSW

A woman will face court today charged after allegedly stealing materials and threatening contractors following fires on the Mid North Coast.

On Friday 29 November 2019, fencing contractors began work on a property in Hobbits Way in Caparra, about 40km north-west of Taree, to replace boundary fencing destroyed by recent fires.

It will be alleged that a 62-year-old woman stole materials and became aggressive towards the contractors.

Yesterday (Friday 6 December 2019), the contractors, two 19-year-old men and another man, aged 30, commenced additional work in Hobbits Way when the 62-year-old woman allegedly drove along the fence line, removing the posts and placing them into her vehicle.

It will also be alleged that the woman drove her vehicle at speed and in an erratic manner towards the men before allegedly deliberately driving into the fence posts and almost hitting one of the 19-year-old men.

The contractors also told police that the woman was allegedly in possession of a rifle.

Officers attached to Manning/ Great Lakes Police District attended the scene and arrested the 62-year-old woman.

She was taken to Taree Police Station where she was charged with use weapon with intent to commit indictable offence, stalk/intimidate intend to cause fear/physical harm, destroy/damage property and larceny.

The woman was refused bail to appear in Port Macquarie Local Court today (Saturday 7 December 2019).

/Public Release. View in full here.