News

Arrest five fishy staff

A MAN from Belmore was one of five charged over their alleged roles in the theft of up to 250 tonnes of salmon – valued at more than $4 million – from a processing plant in Ingleburn.

In December 2020, police were contacted by the executive of a salmon farming and processing company in relation to possible coordinated criminal conduct of employees.
Detectives were told the company had conducted an internal audit which revealed a significant reduction in the output of product through their processing plant at Ingleburn.
It was determined that on average, about 600kg of salmon product was unaccounted for each day.
As part of inquiries, detectives spoke with a number of employees at the completion of their shift in December and located two female employees who had allegedly stolen salmon products from the plant.
Both were issued with Future Court Attendance Notices for larceny as clerk/servant.
After further inquiries, a 32-year-old Minto man was charged with steal property as clerk/servant ($5,000-$15,000) and a 49-year-old Cabramatta man was charged with steal property as clerk/servant (more than $15,000).
Detectives arrested a third man following his arrival into Sydney Airport from Perth, about 7.15pm the same day. The 30-year-old from Belmore was charged with steal property as clerk/servant (more than $15,000).
Police will allege in court that the syndicate used their roles within the company to falsely grade premium salmon products as waste, which was then removed from the plant and transported for on-sale or traded for other product.
In total, more than 250 tonnes of salmon were allegedly stolen between June and December 2020, which would have an estimated retail value of more than $4 million.
The company has terminated the employment of all five people.
Inquiries are continuing.

Riding disqualified for fifth time
A GREENACRE teenager has allegedly been caught riding while disqualified for the fifth time in a month.
He was one of eight people charged during Operation Emerge which targeted hooning, speeding, drink, drug and reckless driving and other dangerous driving along the Botany Bay foreshore in Sydney’s south last Saturday night.
The 17-year-old rider was stopped by police as he rode along West Botany Street, Rockdale, about 10.30pm.
He was charged and given strict conditional bail.

Sex assault, grooming charges
A MAN from Bankstown has been charged over the alleged online grooming and sexual assault of a teenage girl in Villawood.
Just after 7pm on Monday, police were called to a home at Villawood, following reports a man was being detained by the occupants over an alleged sexual assault.
A 22-year-old man was arrested at the home and has been charged with having sexual intercourse with a child between 14 and 16 years and groom a child for unlawful sexual activity.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl he met via a social media application earlier this month.