130 merino ewes stolen from Warialda property, rural crime police appeal for help

Police suspect the 130 merino ewes were taken from the Warialda property between July and November.

The rural crime prevention team has launched an investigation into the theft of the ewes, which police said were aged between two and six years, and were in lamb.

A spokesperson for the Moree Rural Crime Prevention Team said police were appealing for anyone who might know the location of the stolen herd.

“It is extremely disappointing that these thefts continue, and we encourage all landholders to report all suspicious activity around their farm, and that of their neighbour’s farm,” the spokesperson said.

Officers said the herd had earmarks but not NLIS tags.

“We are committed to arresting those responsible, but let’s make it harder for them to steal your valuable livestock and property,” the spokesperson said.

“This is no reflection on the farmer in this instance, but a great way to tighten up your security is to think like a crook and ask yourself how could you: steal from your own property; what would you take; where would you gain access to your property; what time of day or night would be the best time to commit the crime; and how easy would it be to do so?

“This will be the first step in making it harder for the grubs that steal from you, it won’t make your place crime free, but it may just push them elsewhere.”

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Anyone with information is urged to contact the Rural Crime Investigators at Moree Police Station on 67570869 or on Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Meanwhile, officers have wrapped up a cross-border operation after failing to find any trace of 20 head of cattle stolen in the New England.

The Moree-based Rural Crime Prevention Team were deployed to the stock reserve west of Goondiwindi in Queensland, to search for the Santa weaners that were stolen from a Coolatai property recently.

Investigators were backed by detectives from Queensland’s Major Operations Rural Crime Police Squad and inspected the large mob of 1000 head of cattle.

A spokesperson said police did not find any of the stolen livestock and no other offences were detected.

Anyone with information on the stock theft or who might have seen suspicious activity is urged to contact the Rural Crime Investigators at Moree Police Station on 67570869 or on Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.