Jack Robert Smith wanted on alleged fraud charges in western NSW
A “cowboy conman” — notorious for his dishonest ways — is on the run from police again after another alleged brush with the law in country NSW.
Police & Courts
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He has been called the cowboy conman, the horse float hustler, and the rodeo Romeo – and this colourful character is once more wanted by police over new allegations of bad behaviour.
NSW Police are appealing for assistance to locate Jack Robert Smith, 35 – wanted on two outstanding warrants for alleged fraud offences.
He also goes by Justin Dunn, Justin Smith, and Justin Priestley – and has previously been charged under the name Joeseph Patrick Crownin.
On October 3, Magistrate David Day at Orange Local Court convicted Smith in his absence of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage over an alleged unpaid drinks tab at The Blind Pig cocktail bar in Orange, and two counts of possessing MDMA on September 7.
When he did not show up to court, the magistrate issued a bench warrant which will ultimately require Smith to face the court for sentencing.
It is not known whether or not Smith intended to defended the charges.
His last known address, according to court documents, was the Hallidays Point Caravan Park on the NSW Mid North Coast.
“Officers attached to Barrier Police District have commenced inquiries into his whereabouts,” a NSW Police statement said.
“He is known to frequent Orange, Hallidays Point, Hay, Dubbo and Bogan Gate areas.”
Smith is described as being of caucasian appearance, 170cm tall, of medium build, with brown hair and brown eyes.
The rodeo Romeo was arrested at gunpoint near Byron Bay in 2017 while he was wanted on four warrants in four different states and territories for multiple alleged misdeeds.
At the time, he was behind the wheel of a Toyota 4WD Land Cruiser with a horse float attached – which he was then alleged to have stolen from further down the coast in Woolgoolga.
When it all caught up to Smith, Dunn, Priestley, or – as he was then known – Crownin, he was sentenced for an array of offences in Tamworth Local Court in 2019.
Smith was convicted of publishing false material to gain an advantage, and four counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage, for which he received a fixed six-month prison term starting August 8, 2019.
It was served concurrently with a three-year aggregate prison term for offences he was convicted of between 2017 and 2018, including stealing a car, taking and driving a car without the owner’s consent, receiving stolen property, dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage and dealing with crime proceeds.
He was released to parole after two years on March 31, 2020.
Anyone who has seen or heard from Smith, or knows of his whereabouts, is urged to contact Broken Hill police on 08 8087 2799, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Do you know more? Message 0481 056 618 or email tips@dailytelegraph.com.au
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