Three arrested after 42,000 rapid antigen tests stolen from Mascot depot

Three people have been arrested after 42,000 rapid antigen tests were stolen from Sydney’s south overnight.

Three people have been arrested over the theft of 42,000 rapid antigen tests from a depot in Sydney’s south overnight.

Police say 42,000 RATs with a value of $500,000 were loaded onto a vehicle at Mascot on Tuesday afternoon.

Officers were told a man entered the depot about 3.20pm before taking the stockpile and driving off.

South Sydney police were alerted to the theft shortly afterwards and, just before 4pm on Wednesday, arrested three people at a storage unit.

Detectives then raided two storage units, with searches underway on Wednesday night.

The three men remain in custody at Mascot Police Station assisting police with enquiries. No charges have yet been laid.

This week’s delivery of 1.2 million Rapid Antigen Tests into Australia at Sydney airport.

The tests were procured by the NSW Government.

Dominic Perrottet denounced the theft of the $500,000 RAT haul as a “disgusting act” and declared the thief’s time on the run was almost over.

“At a time when everyone across our state has made incredible efforts in keeping people safe and making sacrifices, what a disgraceful act,” Mr Perrottet said.

“The police will catch you, the police will catch you.”

It comes as Australia continues to struggle with a shortage of instant Covid tests, with scams and price gouging of customers on the rise.

Originally published as Three arrested after 42,000 rapid antigen tests stolen from Mascot depot