A fifth man has been charged over the alleged theft of firearms and vehicles in Coonamble between August and September this year.

In September 2025, officers attached to the Rural Crime Prevention Team in the Orana Mid-Western Police District in Mudgee commenced an investigation following reports of motor vehicles and firearms being stolen from multiple rural properties in Pilliga, Cuttabri and Baradine areas.

Between August and September this year, a white utility (Pilliga area), six firearms (one from Cuttabri and five from Baradine area), three quad bikes (one from Cuttabri and two from Baradine area) and a car trailer was stolen from multiple rural properties in the area.

At about 3pm on Friday, September 19, officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District were called to Baradine Road, Coonamble, following reports of a white utility being driven in a dangerous manner.

A short time later, police arrived and located the vehicle on Baradine Road, near Killara Lane, Coonamble.

When it failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated however it was terminated on Dingo Hole Road, near Pilliga National Park, due to safety concerns.

Inquiries have led police to allege the incidents are all linked.

Following inquiries, police have since charged four men.

At about 11.30am on Thursday, September 25, police arrested a 28-year-old man on Charles Street, Coonamble.

One of the illegal weapons seized by the Rural Crime Prevention Team (Image: NSW Police).

He was taken to Coonamble Police Station where he was initially charged with enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence, steal motor vehicle (two counts), receive property-theft/ serious indictable offence more than $5000, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, and unlicensed for Class, Class C, R, LR or MR.

Following further inquiries, he was additionally charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence, possess unauthorised pistol, possess unauthorised firearm, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority, steal firearm or imitation firearm(six counts), receive property theft equal to serious indictable offence more than $5000 (five counts), aggravated break and enter with intention – in company – steal etc more than $60,000, larceny, and use, supply, acquire, possess stolen firearm or part (six counts).

He was refused bail and appeared at Bail Division Court 4 on Friday, September 26 where he was refused bail to appear at Coonamble Local Court on Tuesday October 14.

At about 12.50am on Friday, October 17, a 47-year-old man was arrested on Warrie Street, Gulargambone.

He was taken to Dubbo Police Station where he was charged with acquire firearm no licence/permit-not pistol/prohibited firearm, and use supply, acquire, possess stolen firearm or part (four counts). He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, October 18, where he was refused bail to appear a Coonabarabran Local Court on Monday, October 20. He was further refused bail to appear at the same court on Tuesday, November 18.

At about 4pm on Tuesday, November 11, a 47-year-old man was arrested on Gulargambone Road, Quambone.

He was taken to Coonamble Police Station where he was charged with possess unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm (two counts), acquire firearm without licence or permit-pistol, use supply, acquire, possess stolen firearm or part, goods suspected stolen in /on premises, and ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority. He was refused bail and appeared at Bail Division Court 4 on Wednesday, November 12, where he was refused bail to appear at Coonamble Local Court on Tuesday, December 9.

At about 1.15pm on Wednesday, November 12, a 25-year-old man was arrested on River Road, Coonamble.

He was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, possess unauthorised pistol, and aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal less than or equal to $60000.

He was refused bail and appeared at Bail Division Court 4 yesterday (Thursday 13 November 2025), where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday 26 November 2025.

Matters above are all before the court.

Following further inquiries, at about 9.10am on Friday, November 14, detectives arrested a 33-year-old man at a home on Blight Street, Baradine.

He was taken to Coonabarabran Police Station where he was charged with acquire etc pistol-subject to firearms prohibition order, acquire etc firearm – subject to prohibition order, aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal less than or equal to $60,000, and drive conveyance taken without consent of owner.

He was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, November 15, where he was further refused bail to appear before Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday, November 19.

NSW Police Media