Men allegedly caught stealing from Wieambilla shooting site
Two alleged looters have been arrested trying to steal motorbikes from the site of the deadly shooting in rural Queensland where two police officers and a civilian were gunned down.
A 23-year-old and 25-year-old were caught at 2am on Sunday by police patrolling the crime scene.
It is alleged they parked their car near the Wieambilla property before walking through bushland to the house.
They allegedly took two motorbikes and began pushing them back to their car before being caught by the patrolling officers.
Both men are from Tara, the local town.
Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold died in last week’s ambush, along with neighbour Alan Dare. Photo: AAP
The Wieambilla property is the site of the ambush in which Constables Matthew Arnold, Rachel McCrow and resident Alan Dare were shot dead.
Killers Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train died in a subsequent firefight with heavily armed tactical officers.
The two alleged looters have both been charged with with one count each of unlawful trespass, stealing by looting and two counts of supply dangerous drug (cannabis) in unrelated matters.
They will front Chinchilla Magistrates court on February 2.
The shooting has garnered national headlines and been met with an outpouring of grief and sympathy for the dead.
Queensland Police said on Monday the isolated property where last week’s ambush occurred, about three hours west of Brisbane, remained a crime scene. Queensland Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler said the investigation into the deadly attack was exhaustive, and would take “many weeks, if not months”.
“What I can say is a number of people have been interviewed. Of course, all of the normal scientific and ballistic-style examinations are being made,” he said.
“It is still a crime scene, we still have that area being guarded.”
Deputy Commissioner Wheeler said the two surviving police officers from last Monday’s shooting incident, Constables Keely Brough and Randall Kirk, were recovering. They were also being interviewed as part of the investigation.
He said inquiries were also being made interstate and police were sifting through volumes of information that had come from the public to Crime Stoppers or in person.
Police have refused to comment further on the investigation, saying it is now subject to a coronial inquiry.
Queensland Police has also confirmed details of the full-honours funeral for constables Arnold and McCrow.
It will be held at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre from 10am (AEST) on Wednesday, and is expected to draw thousands of people. Free tickets will be available to the public later on Monday.
The public service will be followed by private ceremonies for the two young constables.
The event will also be broadcast on ABC, and there will be big screens in Brisbane, Townsville, Mackay, Tara, Dalby and Chinchilla.
- More details: Queensland Police
Tweet from @AnnastaciaMP
Also on Monday, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk paid her respects to the two slain officers.
Ms Palaszczuk laid flowers in memory of constables Arnold and McCrow, and Mr Dare, at the Chinchilla Police Station.
The sorrowful Premier also spoke with police and locals in nearby Chinchilla and Tara about the loss of the two officers.
“Everyone’s gone through a really rough time out here and I want all of Queensland and all of Australia to continue to show their support for the two young lives that were tragically taken,” she said.
“Wednesday is going to be a very difficult day. It’s going to be a very difficult day for everyone involved and today is an opportunity for me to come show my respects on behalf of the state to the two young people who lost their lives in such an unimaginable way.”
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said many local police would attend the service for the two young officers.
“There will be much sadness over the organisation, and Tara, and Dalby, and Chinchilla, for many many years to come,” she said
“But we will band together to make sure that we all get through it – and we will – and the memorial, the full police on honours I think, will be a fitting tribute to two amazing young constables.”
-with AAP
