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A man will face court, charged over a string of alleged vehicle thefts and drug offences following an investigation in the state’s Central West.
Officers attached to the Rural Crime Prevention Team at Central West Police District commenced investigations following numerous vehicle thefts in Parkes and Tottenham between March 2025 and January 2026, with Strike Force Ferront established in July 2026 to investigate rural crime across the district.
About 6.30am on Saturday 29 March 2025, two men allegedly forced entry into a towing business on Royal Street, Parkes, before stealing a Mitsubishi ute and driving it through a locked gate.
The vehicle was later recovered on Barton Street, Parkes.
About 4.30am on Friday 11 July 2025, two men allegedly again forced entry into the towing business before stealing a Toyota utility and driving it through a locked gate.
About 2.30am on Tuesday 25 November 2025, two men allegedly forced entry into a property on Back Yamma Road, Parkes, before stealing a UTV, ramming a gate and driving through a fence.
The utility, worth $18,500, was later recovered at the intersection of Henderson Street and Cons Lane, Parkes.
About 5.50am on Saturday 24 January 2026, a Toyota Landcruiser was allegedly stolen from a property on Bobadah Road, Tottenham.
About 7.30am the same day, a second vehicle was located burnt out on Moira Vale Road, Tottenham.
The Landcruiser was since recovered in bushland off the Yarrabandai Road, Forbes.
All vehicles were seized for forensic examination.
On Monday 27 July 2026, the towing business on Royal Street, Parkes, was allegedly broken into with multiple car keys and vehicle batteries reported stolen. A Toyota sedan was allegedly stolen and driven through a fence.
The vehicle was later recovered on Farnell Street, Forbes.
Following extensive inquiries, police believe all the incidents are linked.
About 12pm yesterday (Monday 21 September 2026), Rural Crime Investigators attached to Central West Police District arrested a 33-year-old man on Peak Hill Road, Parkes.
Officers executed a search warrant at a home on Dalton Street, Parkes, where they allegedly seized methylamphetamine, stolen vehicle keys, stolen tools and three 110-litre drums of herbicide valued at approximately $2800.
The man was taken to Parkes Police Station where he was charged with 26 offences,
- Enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence (five counts)
- Break and enter house etc steal value less than or equal to $60,000
- Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner (five counts)
- Destroy or damage property less than or equal to $2000 (six counts)
- Supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis
- Supply prohibited drug less than or equal to small quantity (three counts)
- Supply prohibited drug greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity
- Supply prohibited drug greater than small and less than or equal to indictable quantity
- Goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not motor vehicle/vessel)
- Fail to comply digital evidence access order direction, and
- Larceny.
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 4 today (Tuesday 22 September 2026).
Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Whiteside, State Rural Crime Coordinator, said the investigation’s progress is testament to NSW Police Force teamwork.
“These outcomes under Strike Force Ferront are a great example of how officers attached to our police districts – including Central West Police District – work collaboratively alongside the Rural Crime Prevention team in tackling rural crime,” Det Ch Insp Whiteside said.
“This shines a light on the NSW Police Force’s shared commitment and dedication to cracking down on crimes that have a very real impact on our rural communities.”
Strike Force Ferront investigations continue.
