Central West crime wrap: Joshua Minett, 33, charged over multiple alleged pursuits

A man is behind bars on remand after multiple alleged pursuits, while another man has been formally refused bail after he allegedly damaged two police vehicles.

A man has been charged with various traffic offences following multiple alleged police pursuits in the western region. Photo: Dubbo Courthouse.

Dubbo

A man has been charged over multiple alleged pursuits in the state’s western region.

Orange Traffic and Highway Patrol officers attempted to stop a Holden Commodore near Molong on the Mitchell Hwy, following pursuit in Orange on January 10.

The vehicle continued to Geurie just after 7.20am on Wednesday, when it turned around and drove to Wellington, where the man allegedly drove at a police vehicle travelling the opposite direction.

Police successfully deployed road spikes on the highway near Old Sydney Rd however, the man continued to Dripstone Rd, Wellington, where he allegedly demanded fuel and a car but left empty handed.

A 33-year-old man has been charged with multiple traffic offences in the state’s central west. Photo: Generic.

Orana Mid-Western Police District officers attended a service station on Lee St, Wellington, about 9am, where he was arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station.

Joshua Minett, of Orange, has been charged with three counts of not stopping during a police pursuit, two counts of driving recklessly/furiously, driving a car with menace with another intent, attempting to steal a vehicle and driving a stolen vehicle.

The 33-year-old is also facing additional charges of larceny, two counts of stalking and intimidation (DV), attempting to stalk and intimidate and hinder or resist a police officer in duty.

He appeared at Dubbo Local Court on January 11 and has been refused bail.

He did not apply for bail.

Minett will appear at the same court on January 12.

Bathurst

A man has been arrested after allegedly damaging police vehicles in the state central tablelands over the weekend.

Chifley Police District officers commenced an investigation after observing a police vehicle with a smashed windscreen and another with damage to the bonnet, about 11pm on Sunday.

Police attended a home in Russell St, Bathurst, and arrested a 54-year-old man, about 9am on Monday.

Bradley Petford was taken to Bathurst Police Station and charged with two counts of destroying and damaging property.

Petford was formally refused bail by Bathurst Local Court and is expected to attend via audiovisual link on January 24.

Red NSW Historic vehicle stolen from Cowra.

Nyngan

Rural Crime investigators have arrested an 18-year-old man in relation to the alleged theft of two motor vehicles in the state’s west in April last year.

Orana Mid-Western Police District officers commenced investigations into a number of rural related vehicle thefts in Girilambone and Warren.

A Toyota Hilux utility was allegedly stolen from a rural property near Girilambone and later recovered in Narromine, while a Toyota Landcruiser was stolen in Warren and recovered in Cobar in a separate incident.

An 18-year-old Nyngan man was arrested and taken to Nyngan Police Station on January 4.

He was charged with stealing a motor vehicle and being carried in a stolen vehicle without the consent of the owner.

The man was granted bail to appear in a Children’s Court on February 19, 2024.

General pic of unsealed roads. Picture: WDRC

Narromine

Narromine Shire Council have confirmed the closure of all unsealed roads due to recent wet weather.

Council staff said some unsealed roads across various locations in the region have water over them.

“Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions,” staff said.

Exterior of the courthouse in Bathurst, west of Sydney.

Cowra

Police have appealed for information in relation to a break and enter which occurred in Eulo St, Cowra, at 5.30am on January 2, 2024.

A man described to be caucasian, in his late 20s, with dark hair and a moustache, broke in while an elderly man was home.

A number of items were stolen, including a Driza-Bone jacket, power tools and a mobile phone.

A red NSW historic vehicle and a white Ford Falcon ute were also stolen.

Please contact Cowra Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if you have any information.