Strike Force Sako: Russell James Willis charged with string of firearm offences

A man has denied being involved in two break-ins in Dubbo and Warren after he was charged with a string of firearm offences. Read the latest here.

Russell James Willis charged in relation to break ins around Dubbo and Warren in 2023. Photo: NSW Police.

Another man has been charged following the investigation into a break and enter in the state’s central west last year.

On April 23, 2023, a property on the Newell Highway, Dubbo, was broken into with firearms and a HiLux ute towing a trailer holding an ATV allegedly stolen in the early hours of the morning.

Orana Mid-Western Police District and the Rural Crime Prevention Team established Strike Force Sako to investigate the incident.

In another incident, on May 3, 2023, a property on Oxley Highway, Warren, was broken into and firearms were allegedly stolen.

Three men, Zac Murphey, a 23-year-old and a 28-year-old have been charged and remain before the courts.

Following further inquiries, officers attended a home on Trelanvean St, Dubbo, around 7.30am and conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order search.

Russell James Willis charged in relation to break ins around Dubbo and Warren in 2023. Photo: NSW Police.

Russell James Willis was arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station.

The 31-year-old was charged with two counts of break and enter to steal value less than $60,000, six counts of stealing a firearm and one count of possessing a shortened firearm without authority.

He has entered a plea of not guilty to each offence.

He was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court on Thursday, where he was granted conditional bail.

Magistrate Gary Wilson has ordered Wilson to be of good behaviour, not travel outside of Dubbo, to abstain from drugs and alcohol, report to Dubbo Police Station daily and to not leave his home between 8pm to 6am.

He is to return to the same court on July 26.

Investigations under Strike Force Sako are ongoing.