NSW Bushfires: Man arrested in Blue Mountains after allegedly found with firefighting equipment
A man will face court after he was allegedly found with firefighting equipment, believed to be stolen, down a dirt road in a fire-affected area.
The Blue Mountains News
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A man will face court after police allegedly found him with firefighting equipment and a National Parks and Wildlife Service uniform believed to be stolen.
Police were conducting patrols in fire-affected areas when they found the 57-year-old in a silver Nissan Pulsar down a dirt road between Blackheath and Medlow Bath railway stations about 2.10pm yesterday.
During interactions with the man, police noticed a bowl of cannabis sitting on the dash of the vehicle, a police spokesman said.
Officers searched the car and allegedly found a clear zip-lock bag containing what officers suspected to be cannabis, as well as firefighting equipment and a National Parks and Wildlife Service uniform believed to be stolen.
The Carlton man — who is not a member of the National Parks and Wildlife Service or the Rural Fire Service — was arrested and charged with goods in personal custody suspected being stolen and possess prohibited drug.
The man allegedly told police he was in the mountains to help fight the December bushfires and had obtained the uniform from someone he knew.
Enquiries suggest he has been residing in his vehicle at various locations in the upper mountains since early December, a police spokesman said.
The man has been granted conditional bail is due to appear at Katoomba Local Court on January 27.
Enquiries are continuing.