Police are appealing for public assistance after a vehicle and two firearms were stolen from a property in the state’s Murrumbidgee region yesterday.
About 9.50am (Wednesday 1 December 2021), officers attached to Murrumbidgee Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were patrolling Lakes Road, Griffith, when they detected the driver of a Volkswagon Amarok speeding.
Police conducted a U-turn but lost sight of the vehicle. Checks revealed the car was registered to a rural property on Harward Road, Griffith.
Officers attended the property and were told the car had been stolen from the property – as well two firearms from a gunsafe in a shed – between 7.30pm Tuesday (30 November 2021) and 9.10am yesterday (Wednesday 1 December 2021).
Officers established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.
Following patrols of the area, the vehicle was located on fire on a vacant block along Watson Road, Griffith, about 5.15am today (Thursday 2 December 2021). Fire and Rescue extinguished the blaze.
As inquiries continue, police are encouraging anyone with information to contact Griffith Police on 6969 4299 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police continue to encourage firearm owners to regularly check their firearms and ensure compliance with firearm legislation:
• Ensure firearms are kept in safe storage facilities when not in use
• Lock ammunition in a container kept separate to the firearms
• Ensure safe keeping facilities are locked at all times
• Ensure no unauthorised person knows where the keys to the safe storage facilities are kept, or the safe combination details
• Check your firearms regularly
Securing properties and equipment is also encouraged to reduce the risk of falling victim to theft:
• Prominently display the property’s RMB Number
• Conduct regular checks of the property’s boundary fences and gates
• Display ‘No Trespassing’ warning signs on perimeter fence lines and gates
• Install security lighting around the homestead and sheds
• Consider installing an intruder alarm system or surveillance camera
• Where possible, keep valuable items and machinery engraved and secure
• Check machinery and tools regularly
• Remove keys from vehicles and machinery
Victims of rural crime are urged to promptly report the incident to their local Rural Crime Investigator, local police station or Crime Stoppers to ensure a whole-of-community approach to reduce and solve crime in regional areas.
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.
