Batemans Bay: Dillan Nielson charged after refusing to give officers name of fish bait thief

A fisherman has caught nothing more than a fine and conviction after he drove a friend to a service station to steal the fish bait freezer. When the police came knocking, he refused to give up the thief.

Dillan Neilson leaving Batemans Bay Local Court.

An eager fisherman has caught nothing but a conviction and fine after he refused to give up the name of a friend who stole fishing bait.

Dillan Nielson, 19, from Denhams Beach, faced Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to not disclosing the identity of a passenger following a police investigation into a service station theft.

Police documents tendered to Batemans Bay Local Court state on February 6, Nielson drove a man in a 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser to a North Batemans Bay service station and parked next to the fishing bait freezer, which was stolen by the male passenger.

Agreed facts state the passenger then returned to the 4WD “without entering the shop or attempting to pay for the items”.

The pair were captured on CCTV footage, which was later provided to police officers.

Dillan Nielson appeared in Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday.

Ten days after the brazen incident, on February 16, police attended an address linked to the registration of the 4WD used in the theft and met Neilson, who admitted the Land Cruiser was his and he was involved in the fish bait theft. He wasn’t charged with any theft offence.

“(Neilson) advised police he would attend the service station and pay for the items,” agreed facts state.

However, when police said they needed the name of the passenger who stole the bait Neilson refused to co-operate.

Police warned Nielson if he did not give up the name he would be charged and after he refused again, he was issued a court attendance notice to attend Batemans Bay Local Court.

Magistrate David O’Connor said there was no excuse for not providing police officers with information in an investigation when asked.

“If you’re the owner of the vehicle, you need to know who is in it and you need to inform the police,” he said.

Given this was not Nielson’s first time with police, he was convicted and fined $750.

He was also ordered to immediately go to Batemans Bay police station to be photographed, fingerprinted and provide the name of the fish bait thief.