Rodney Stevens

A 46-year-old Stockyard Creek man appeared in Grafton Local Court last Thursday charged with stealing more than $35,000 worth of equipment from a Rural Fire Service depot in the Clarence Valley.

Sometime between Monday, April 10, and Friday, April 14, police allege unknown person/s broke into a fire brigade shed on Clarence Way, Fine Flower, about 70km west of Yamba.

Police who were called to the scene were told more than $35,000 worth of equipment was allegedly stolen from the brigade, including chainsaws, generators, firefighting equipment, and communications equipment.

Officers from the Northern Zone Rural Crime Prevention Team commenced an investigation into the incident and following extensive inquiries, a search warrant was executed at a property on Stockyard Creek Road, Stockyard Creek, about 9.30am on Wednesday, August 30. 

A search of the property allegedly revealed items believed to been stolen including firefighting equipment, a chainsaw, a petrol blower, medical and communications equipment.

Police will also allege the search revealed a firearm, 2.2kg of cannabis, 652g of cannabis seeds and seven cannabis plants, with all items located seized for forensic examination.

Police say the man was arrested at the property before being taken to Grafton Police Station where he was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug, cultivate prohibited plant, receive/dispose stolen property, possess unregistered firearm, and not keep firearm safely.

He was refused bail to appear in Grafton Local Court on Thursday, August 31, and when he appeared before Magistrate Richard Funston, he was granted conditional bail to reappear at Grafton Local Court on September 25.

Bail was granted on the condition that he be of good behaviour and continue to reside at his Stockyard Creek address.

Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.