Police have charged two men after stealing $100,000 worth of livestock from a property in the state’s Central West last month.
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On Thursday 31 March, a 56-year-old man went to his property on Cattles Lane, Calleen, (approximately 30km from West Wyalong), and noticed a significant amount of sheep missing.
The man attended West Wyalong Police Station and notified police of the incident.
Officers attached to Griffith Local Area Command with the assistance of NSW Rural Crime Investigators commenced inquiries into the incident.
On Friday 1 April, police executed a search warrant on a property located on Merrengreen Road, Calleen. Officers will alleged they located 609 merino lambs. More than 300 had their National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) ear tags removed.
The livestock has since been returned to the owner.
During the execution of the search warrant, a further 397 head of sheep were impounded by an external agency and ownership is yet to be determined.
An 85-year-old man and a 65-year-old man were arrested and taken to West Wyalong Police Station. They were both charged with stealing livestock and remove livestock identification device.
The men will appear in the West Wyalong Local Court on Thursday 26 May.
Rural Crime Police encourage the farming community to be vigilant of unusual activity around rural areas. This incident also places the importance of using appropriate methods of livestock identification such as registered ear marks. Police urge the rural community to report all forms of Rural Crime to your local Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
