POLICE are investigating the theft of 1100 Merino sheep from four separate properties across western Victoria, which were worth more than $255,000 and were reported stolen over the past five weeks.
Officers from Hamilton, Ararat, and Bacchus Marsh Police Service Areas are investigating the large-scale thefts from properties in Cavendish, Lake Bolac, Clunes, and Coleraine.
Police are also looking into whether the thefts are linked.
Of the sheep reported stolen, 339 were from a property in Cavendish (believed to have been stolen between October 18 – November 11), 450 were from a property in Lake Bolac (believed to have been stolen between October 25 – December 17), 240 were from a property in Clunes (believed to have been stolen between November 17 – December 9), and 100 sheep were from a property in Coleraine (believed to have been stolen between December 5-20).
Police suspect a truck or multiple trips with a small trailer may have been used to steal the sheep.
Farm Crime Coordination Unit inspector, Paul Hargreaves said this type of theft caused “huge economic loss”, yet many incidents of this nature were not reported to police.
“While we acknowledge the work of local farmers in protecting their livestock, the farming community including farmers, neighbours, stock agents and transporters can always do better by keeping an eye out for suspicious activity and reporting anything out of the ordinary to police,” he said.
“It is vital that if you see something, hear something, know something or suspect something, that you report it immediately - the information you have might be the last piece of the puzzle that could then solve the crime.”
Anyone in the farming community who notices suspicious activity, no matter how small, is encouraged to contact their local police station immediately or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersvic.com.au. If you’re the victim of livestock theft, contact your local police station or the Police Assistance Line on 131 444. Phone 000 for immediate assistance.
