A 26-year-old man has been charged following a police investigation into the alleged theft of a tractor valued at approximately $90,000 from a property at Widgelli, near Griffith, NSW. The investigation was conducted by rural crime investigators from the Murrumbidgee Police District and began in June 2026 after the alleged theft was reported.

According to police allegations reported by Region Riverina, investigators conducted inquiries over several months before executing a search warrant at a property in Gunbar in August. During the search, officers allegedly located the missing tractor. The agricultural machinery was seized by police and is expected to undergo forensic examination as part of the investigation. Police also allegedly seized a quantity of ammunition during the search.

The investigation continued after the recovery of the tractor. Police later identified and arrested a 26-year-old man at a property in Hillston on Friday, September 4, 2026. He was taken to Griffith Police Station, where he was formally charged.

The charges reported against the man include acquiring ammunition subject to a prohibition order and an offence relating to goods suspected of being stolen in or on premises, namely a motor vehicle. The charges relate to allegations made by police and have not been proven in court.

Following his arrest, the man was refused bail. He appeared before Bail Division Court 5 on Saturday, September 5, where bail was again refused. The matter will now proceed through the NSW court system. The allegations remain subject to the legal process, and the accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about rural property crime across regional NSW, where valuable farming equipment can be attractive targets for thieves. Tractors and other agricultural machinery can represent significant investments for farming businesses, and their theft can cause financial disruption as well as operational difficulties.

The recovery of the tractor is an important development in the Griffith-area investigation. Police will now continue examining the circumstances surrounding its alleged theft, including how the machinery was allegedly moved from the Widgelli property and its connection to the property where it was located.

Forensic examination of the recovered tractor may assist investigators in establishing further evidence. The ammunition allegedly seized during the search is also relevant to the separate charge involving a prohibition order.

Police investigations remain ongoing, and further court proceedings are expected. The case demonstrates the role of rural crime investigators in pursuing offences involving valuable agricultural property across the Riverina region.