Man charged following alleged incidents in Bourke and Nyngan - Operation Soteria

Wednesday, 26 March 2025 07:28:06 PM

A man has faced court today, charged with eight offences after several alleged break and enter, vehicle thefts and other incidents in the state’s central north and central west regions.

Officers attached to Central North Police District – under Operation Soteria – have been conducting investigations into multiple alleged break and enters and theft offences in Bourke and Nyngan, which police believe occurred between Saturday 22 February 2025 and Tuesday 25 February 2025.

These reported incidents include alleged armed break and enters and vehicle thefts – including an alleged break and enter at a motel on Anson Street, Bourke, on Saturday 22 February 2025, where a group of four people – including an 18-year-old man – allegedly armed with knives forced entry into staff accommodation.

The group allegedly threatened the occupant – a 24-year-old man – before stealing cash, bank cards and mobile phones.

He was not injured.

The group then allegedly broke into a second motel room and threatened the occupant – a 52-year-old man – with long knives, before fleeing with cash, bank cards and a mobile phone.

The man sustained a minor cut to his neck.

Police were told the group allegedly crashed through a locked gate in a white Holden SUV before driving off.

About 7:30am yesterday (Tuesday 25 March 2025), officers attached to Central North Police District and Orana Mid-Western Police District, assisted by Western Region Operational Support Group officers, executed a search warrant at a home on Parkes Street, Wellington.

Police arrested an 18-year-old man and seized clothing, four knives, a set of knuckledusters, and multiple items of jewellery believed to be stolen.

He was taken to Wellington Police Station where he was charged with:

• Four counts of aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence - armed,
• Two counts of steal motor vehicle,
• Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and
• Larceny.

He was refused bail to appear before Dubbo Local Court today (Wednesday 26 March 2025) where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court on Thursday 22 May 2025

Investigations under Operation Soteria continue.

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