URGENT UPDATE: A dramatic crime spree on the South Coast has led to the arrest of three individuals in connection with the theft of a $150,000 excavator and an ATM. Authorities initiated their investigation on Monday, September 1, 2023, after a Caterpillar-brand excavator was reported stolen from a quarry on the Federal Highway in Sutton.
The investigation intensified when detectives executed a search warrant on Wednesday, September 3, at a property on Dicks Creek Road, Yass River. There, they allegedly recovered the stolen excavator, grapple hitch, and ammunition, bringing a swift end to the initial theft inquiry.
Further developments emerged when South Coast Police District officers launched a separate investigation on Monday, September 29, following an ATM theft from a business on Beach Road in Batemans Bay. Around 6 AM, police approached two men, aged 27 and 36, on Princes Highway, Cullendulla. The younger suspect fled the scene but was apprehended after a foot pursuit on Myamba Parade, Surfside.
Both men were arrested and transported to Batemans Bay police station, where police later arrested a 28-year-old woman alleged to have assisted the younger man. This arrest occurred on Wallarah Street. Authorities seized $59,000 in cash during the operation, further linking the suspects to the Sutton Quarry theft.
The 36-year-old man faces a staggering 15 charges, including theft and evasion, and has been refused bail. He is scheduled to appear before the Bail Division on Wednesday, October 1, and will subsequently face Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, December 1. His accomplice, the 27-year-old, is charged with eight offences and will face similar court proceedings on Monday, November 24. The 28-year-old woman is charged with two offences and has been granted conditional bail, set to appear on Monday, October 20.
This case has captured local attention, raising concerns about crime rates in the area. The urgency of these developments highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat such criminal activities on the South Coast.
Authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation continues. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story.
