Police say a remotely piloted drone helped locate and arrest a 37-year-old man wanted over a string of alleged theft and break-and-enter offences across New South Wales.
A police drone has played a key role in the arrest of a wanted man in regional New South Wales after a lengthy investigation spanning several years.
Officers from the New England Police District arrested the 37-year-old man in Moree on Monday (9 March 2026) after locating him at a nearby property with the assistance of a remotely-piloted drone.
The arrest brings together several investigations linked to alleged break-ins, theft, and financial offences across the state.
The investigation began on Wednesday 24 May 2023, when police were alerted to the alleged theft of a vehicle from a caravan park on Amaroo Drive in Moree.
The stolen vehicle was later discovered abandoned and burnt out on George Street. Police established a crime scene and carried out a forensic examination of the vehicle.
Further allegations emerged on 27 February 2024, when officers from Campbelltown City Police Area Command responded to reports of a break-and-enter at a home on Hargrave Street in Leumeah.
Later that same day, a bag was allegedly stolen from a person at a hotel on Railway Street in Campbelltown. Police allege a credit card from the bag was subsequently used to make several purchases.
As investigations continued, two separate arrest warrants were issued in August 2024 by Campbelltown Local Court and Moree Local Court for a 37-year-old man.
More recently, officers from the New England Police District began investigating two additional break-ins at homes in Moree on Thursday 5 March 2026, which police believe may be connected.
Detectives continued their inquiries until about 11.40am on Monday 9 March 2026, when investigators attended a property in Moree.
With the help of a remotely-piloted police drone, officers were able to locate the man at a nearby property, where he was arrested without incident.
The man was taken to Moree Police Station, where two outstanding arrest warrants were executed.
Police charged the Moree man with a series of offences, including:
- Larceny (value less than or equal to $2000) – two counts
- Enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner
- Break and enter house and steal (value ≤ $60,000)
- Steal property in a dwelling-house (over $2000 and ≤ $5000)
- Steal property in a dwelling-house
- Steal from the person (≤ $2000)
- Dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception
He was refused bail and is scheduled to appear before Parramatta Bail Division Court today (Tuesday 10 March 2026).
The use of drones in police operations continues to expand across New South Wales, with authorities increasingly relying on aerial technology to locate suspects and assist officers on the ground.
Many residents online have praised the use of drones in policing, saying the technology can help safely locate offenders and speed up arrests in complex investigations.
The arrest highlights how modern technology is changing the way police track and apprehend suspects across Australia.
But it also raises a question for the public: should drones play a bigger role in everyday policing operations?
What do you think about this situation? Let us know in the comments.
Tags:
Australian news, breaking news, NSW Police, Moree crime, police drone arrest, New South Wales crime, Australian policing, investigation
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