LOCAL police backed by the force’s riot squad have cornered several people in a house and arrested two men wanted in relation to robberies and chases near Moree.
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Ethan Pegus and Trent WiIliam Craigie were both refused bail in an out-of-sessions bail hearing in Moree Local Court on Friday afternoon charged with a string of offences.
Barwon Superintendent Paul McDonald told The Leader it was clear “drugs had a significant role to play” in some of the recent crimes in and around Moree.
“We had suspicions these persons were in the community and we had some feedback from various sections of the community, and generally speaking they have been good in supporting what we’re doing,” he said.
“It is an offence to harbour a wanted person.
We know these people are continuing to commit violence crimes and we want to stop them before someone gets seriously hurt.
- Barwon Superintendent Paul McDonald
“We know these people are continuing to commit violence crimes and we want to stop them before someone gets seriously hurt.”
The riot squad and dog unit were deployed to Moree as part of a crime crackdown, targeting high-risk offenders.
“We had a wanted operation that we had planned to arrest offenders outstanding and wanted on warrants and other significant offences,” Superintendent McDonald said.
“In all a dozen offenders were arrested in one day.
“Two firearms were recovered, ammunitions, drugs, stolen property and other personal items were also seized.”
The firearm will undergo checks to see if it was one used in an armed robbery south of Moree.
Pegus is facing robbery charges stemming from an armed hold-up at a Bellata service station earlier this month.
The 21-year-old will remain behind bars and was arrested at a Krui Pl home where Craigie was also cornered.
Craigie has been wanted by police for years and was charged with several offences in relation to a police pursuit of a stolen vehicle from Queensland on May 20.
He also had three warrants out for his arrest from matters dating back to 2012.
A second firearm was seized as part of a separate raid on a Wee Waa home. Superintendent McDonald said any firearm seizure was a concern.
“These are serious offences,” he said.
“That's why we're focusing a lot of resources on these investigations, and continuing to seek information from the public as to these people who may have knowledge of what has occurred, and we would urge them to speak to police.”
The operation continues.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
