Man, woman arrested in Kurri Kurri, charged as part of Strike Force Llangollan investigation into rural property crime

A man and woman - from the state’s west and Hunter Valley - have been nabbed as part of Strike Force Llangollan, an investigation into rural property crime.

A man and woman were both arrested in Kurri Kurri as part of Strike Force Llangollan into rural property crime. Generic pic

An alleged police pursuit has sparked the arrest of a man and woman, who were nabbed as part of an ongoing investigation into rural property crime throughout the state’s west and Hunter Valley earlier this year.

In February, detectives from Strike Force Llangollan - established by the Rural Crime Prevention Team from both regions - were looking into rural crime throughout the Cassilis and Mudgee areas.

When travelling between Wellington and Mudgee on Monday, investigators and other police spotted a Toyota Landcruiser, reported to have been stolen from a Twelve Mile Property.

There was an alleged police pursuit on Monday before the pair were arrested in Kurri Kurri the following day. Picture: Istock

Despite attempts to stop the vehicle, police were unsuccessful.

The following day, officers attached to the Hunter Valley Rural Crime Prevention Team were patrolling the Kurri Kurri area when that same Landcruiser was spotted on Victoria St at around 11am.

This time they were able to stop the vehicle and the driver, a 31-year-old woman from Cessnock was arrested.

She was charged with drive conveyance taken without consent of owner; two counts of recklessly deal with the proceeds of crime; custody of knife in a public place; possess unauthorised ammunition; licence expired less than two years before; and goods suspected stolen.

The woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Kurri Kurri Local Court in June.

Her arrest also led police to a nearby hotel where 30-year-old Max Ernest Wright - from Gulgong - was also arrested and charged with 15 offences.

Those included aggravated break and enter in company; steal firearm or imitation firearm, acquire firearm - subject to prohibition order; break and enter house - steal; enter dwelling with intent to steal; larceny; enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence; take and drive conveyance without consent of owner; dishonestly obtain property by deception; drive motor vehicle during disqualification period; commit s114 offence having previous conviction; supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis; police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly; drive recklessly/furiously or speed /manner dangerous; and breach of bail

He was refused bail before appearing at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday where his matters were adjourned until June.

Investigations under Strike Force Llangollan continue.