A man has been charged following an investigation into an alleged home invasion and aggravated break and enter that left an elderly man shaken at Rockley Mount last month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Police allege a man attended a rural property on the Rockley Road, south of Bathurst, just after 7am on Saturday, November 14 and asked to use the 82-year-old resident's phone.
Police were told that while the man was using the phone, a second man - armed with a knife and with his face covered - appeared.
It is alleged the pair threatened the resident and ransacked his home, stealing financial documents and a pump action rifle before leaving the scene in a vehicle.
The elderly man was shaken but not physically injured during the incident.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
In a separate incident, police also received reports of an aggravated break enter at a rural property on Lagoon Road, Orton Park, on Monday, November 16.
Police were told a large amount of property - including vehicles, jewellery, wine and cash - was stolen some time between Saturday, November 14 and Monday, November 16.
Detectives from the Chifley Rural Crime Prevention Team commenced inquiries into the two matters and investigators arrested a 35-year-old man at a home in Bathurst about 2am on Wednesday.
He was taken to Bathurst police station and charged with assault with intent to rob armed with offensive weapon; aggravated break and enter with intent (armed); and stealing property valued at more than $60,000 during a break and enter.
The man appeared before Bathurst Local Court on Wednesday and was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Monday, March 8.
Investigations continue.
State rural crime co-ordinator Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Whiteside said the public was encouraged to look out for each other during the festive season and into the future.
"This crime stresses the vulnerability of our farmers and the need for our rural communities to work together to ensure not only themselves, but their neighbours are safe," Chief Inspector Whiteside said.
"There is no greater time than now to rethink the security of our farms and firearms, making it that bit harder for criminals to prey on our landholders."
Do you want more Bathurst news?
- Sign up now for our free morning headlines and breaking news emails