A man has been charged after a rare 19th century gold seal was allegedly stolen from an exhibit in Sydney’s west earlier this year.
Between 2.30pm and 2.45pm on Thursday 13 May 2021, explorer John Oxley’s fob seal was taken from its exhibition case where it was being displayed at Old Government House, Parramatta.
John Oxley was appointed the Surveyor-General of New South Wales from 1812. The seal bears the family crest and is engraved with the motto ‘Patientia et Fortitudine’ or ‘Patience and Strength’.
It is made of engraved rock crystal and is mounted in an 18-carat gold converted fob-watch, measuring 52mm x 24mm x 12mm.
The theft was reported to officers attached to Parramatta Police Area Command who established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.
Following extensive inquiries, and a public appeal for information, officers from Parramatta Police Area Command, with assistance from officers attached to Riverina Police District, arrested a 43-year-old man in Junee about 5.30pm last Thursday (25 November 2021).
He was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with break and enter house steal value greater than $60,000 and damage property by fire/explosion.
The man appeared at Wagga Wagga Local Court the following day (Friday 26 November 2021), where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday 9 December 2021.
The John Oxley Seal has not been recovered and inquiries are continuing to locate it.
Anyone who may have any information about the whereabouts of the John Oxley Seal is urged contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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.
