Detectives are reappealing for public assistance as investigations continue into the theft of 15 firearms from a property in the state’s Central Tablelands last year.
Between 5pm on Tuesday 29 December 2020 and 5pm on Thursday 31 December 2020, three safes containing 15 rifles were stolen from a storage container on a property at Pitts Road, Hartley Vale, about 11km south east of Lithgow.
Officers from Chifley Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic police, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident commenced.
An extensive search of surrounding rural properties was conducted; however, the firearms were not located.
On Thursday 7 January 2021, an empty firearms storage safe was located near a dam in the Lidsdale State Forest.
As part of ongoing inquiries, Police Divers conducted a search of the dam from 12pm yesterday (Friday 22 January 2021).
Detectives are urging anyone – specifically trail bike riders and horse riders – who may have seen any suspicious activity within the Lidsdale State Forest around the day the safe was located is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Inquiries continue.
Anyone with information about this incident 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.
