NSW Police officer, co-accused to face Wollongong Local Court after alleged Lightning Ridge break and enter, theft

A police officer and a co-accused will front court after allegedly storming an elderly man’s home before threatening him and fleeing with $100,000 in cash. Here’s what happened.

NSW Police generic. Picture: Tom Parrish

A police officer and a co-accused will front court after allegedly storming an elderly man’s home before threatening him and fleeing with $100,000 in cash.

The two men, including a police officer with the NSW Police Force’s Southern Region, will appear in Wollongong Local Court on Friday.

At about 7.30pm on Thursday, October 3, emergency services were called to a property in Lightning Ridge in the state’s North West following reports two men had allegedly forced their way into a 78-year-old man’s home.

Police will allege in court the men tied up the elderly man, before threatening him and stealing $100,000 in cash.

The victim was treated by paramedics for arm and leg injuries and taken to Lightning Ridge Hospital in a stable condition. He has since been released, police say.

Central North District Police District detectives subsequently launched an investigation, with the matter being referred to the Professional Standards Command after one of the men allegedly involved was identified as an off-duty police officer.

Following investigations, two police raids were carried out on homes in the Lake Illawarra area on Thursday under Strike Force Beniel.

Police uncovered several items relevant to the investigation during the searches.

During a subsequent vehicle stop at Shell Cove, investigators arrested a 36-year-old off-duty senior constable and a 51-year-old man.

Both were taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where they were charged with aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence.

They were both refused bail to appear before Wollongong Local Court on Friday.

Investigations under Strike Force Beniel remain ongoing.

The officer’s employment status is under review.

Originally published as NSW Police officer, co-accused to face Wollongong Local Court after alleged Lightning Ridge break and enter, theft