306 cattle stolen in wild $165,000 heist over 12 day period in Australia

Police have charged three men in connection with the alleged theft of $250,000 ($165,000 USD) worth of cattle from a pastoral station in northern Western Australia.

According to the Rural Crime Team, an “extensive investigation” began after they received a report in October 2022 about cattle theft in the west Kimberley region.

Authorities allege that cattle were illegally mustered from the Mount Pierre Pastoral Aboriginal Corporation station, located between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek, between October 12 and 24. The operation allegedly involved helicopters, bull-catching buggies, and portable cattle yards.

It is further alleged that a camp was set up on a neighboring property, the Louisa Downs Pastoral Aboriginal Corporation station, and that earthmoving equipment was used to grade a road providing access to Mount Pierre. Police claim that 306 cattle were subsequently trucked to cattle yards and tagged as originating from Louisa Downs.

In January, Northern Territory Police executed an “extra-territorial search warrant” at a property on the Adelaide River in the Northern Territory as part of the investigation.

At the time, the average price for the cattle was $827.09 per head, amounting to $253,089 ($167,236 USD).

Police allege that proceeds from the cattle sales were deposited into various accounts belonging to the accused over several months.

Two men from Fitzroy Crossing, aged 41 and 39, are scheduled to appear in court on May 14 charged with stealing. A 42-year-old man from the Northern Territory has also been charged with stealing and is set to appear before the Fitzroy Crossing Magistrates Court on July 9.