‘Lowest of the low’: Cops swoop on would-be bushfire looters
Police have launched a crackdown on opportunistic thieves looking to profit from NSW’s bushfire victims. Police say three people have been arrested in fire-devastated communities for planning to loot homes and businesses.
NSW
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Authorities have slammed opportunistic thieves targeting abandoned homes and businesses in communities torn apart by bushfires.
Three would-be looters will front court after being netted in a major police crackdown on theft in suburbs ravaged by fires.
A teenager and another man were arrested after allegedly being found in possession of housebreaking tools near homes where devastated residents were forced to flee after hellish flames tore through the area.
A 17-year-old man was stopped by police on a suburban street in Bangalee near Nowra in the state’s south on Sunday afternoon. Police claim he was carrying a screwdriver and bandana.
The area on NSW’s south coast has been decimated by a mammoth 300,000ha fire which engulfed a number of properties.
The teen was arrested and taken to Nowra Police Station where he was charged with possess housebreaking implements, and possess means disguising face with intent to commit indictable offence.
He was granted conditional bail and will appear at a children’s court later this month.
Another man was on Monday arrested after being seen acting suspiciously near bushfire-affected homes in North Nowra.
Officers stopped the 30-year-old before conducting a search and allegedly finding a knife, jemmy bar, torches, plyers, military badges and a debit card.
He was arrested and taken to Nowra Police Station, where he was charged with possess housebreaking implements, goods in custody, possess knife in public place and outstanding warrants.
A 33-year-old man was also arrested after driving through Moruya and acting suspiciously.
The area is surrounded by an 80,000ha out-of-control fire which joined several other infernos.
The man was breath-tested and allegedly returned a positive reading of 0.257.
He was charged with high-range drink driving and entering enclosed land without lawful excuse on a property at Wamban.
He was granted strict conditional bail and will appear at Moruya Local Court on February 7.
Police Minister David Elliott said looters were “the lowest of the low.”
“At a time when we’re seeing unprecedented levels of generosity pour in from every corner of NSW, it’s unthinkable that anyone would seek to exploit those who most need our support,” Mr Elliott said.
“The Government will continue to back our police in their efforts to keep criminals out of communities devastated by fire during these difficult times.”
Originally published as ‘Lowest of the low’: Cops swoop on would-be bushfire looters
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