Detectives have charged a man and seized a firearm, ammunition and illicit drugs as part of an investigation into a series of aggravated break-ins and ram raids, including one where a bobcat was used to steal an automatic teller machine (ATM).
Police were called to a shopping complex in Moama, following reports a bobcat had driven through the front doors about 4.30am on Monday 25 February 2019.
On arrival, officers found one ATM had been stolen from the premises and another had been extensively damaged.
A crime scene was established, with officers seizing several items relevant to investigation, including a crowbar and a Mitsubishi Triton utility for forensic examination.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and Murray River Police District took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Burrandoot.
Strike force investigators are also examining links to an aggravated break-in and theft of an ATM from a licenced premises in Wakool, about 60km west of Deniliquin, about 2.30am on Wednesday 20 February 2019.
A Toyota Hilux utility, believed to be involved in the Wakool robbery, was later recovered the same day from the Edward River near Deniliquin, along with parts of stolen firearms.
An ATM, firearms and firearm parts believed to have been stolen, were also pulled from the Edward River during a five-day forensic search by strike force investigators last month.
Following further inquiries, strike force investigators executed a search warrant at a home on Edwardes Street, Deniliquin, yesterday (Wednesday 19 June 2019).
Detectives located a rifle, a large amount of ammunition, methylamphetamine, ecstasy, drug paraphernalia, and electronic devices. These items were seized to undergo forensic examination.
A 25-year-old man was arrested at the property and taken to Deniliquin Police Station, where he was charged with possess unregistered firearm, five counts of possess prohibited article, not keep firearm
safe and possess prohibited drug.
He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Deniliquin Local Court on Tuesday 2 July 2019.
Investigations under Strike Force Burrandoot are continuing, including liaising with Victoria Police.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Burrandoot investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
