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Police Set Up In Wagga Wagga As Hunt For Stoccos Continues

Police Set Up In Wagga Wagga As Hunt For Father-Son 'Bushrangers' Continues
Fairfax

Police trying to track down fugitives Gino and Mark Stocco have moved their command centre to Wagga Wagga after the father-and-son's stolen four-wheel-drive was sighted in rural NSW.

The wanted pair, Gino, 57 and his 35-year-old son Mark, have dodged police for more than a week after sparking a massive manhunt on October 16 when they were allegedly involved in a police shoot-out near Wagga Wagga.

Since then, police believe the Stoccos drove a stolen Toyota Landcruiser through rural Victoria, using a number of stolen registration plates and a flashing light attached to the cabin to evade authorities.

On Saturday, police searched for the men around Wangaratta, but were unable to locate them.

Authorities now believe the alleged criminals slipped back into NSW on Saturday night, using back roads to get around checkpoints.

Police Assistant Commissioner Gary Worboys said on Sunday afternoon that search operations in NSW would now be based in Wagga Wagga.

“It will be under the banner of Strike Force Kalkadoon," he said.

"The strike force will have the ability to call on resources from across the state if required, which will include specialist areas like the PolAir.

“One of our greatest assets in this will be information from the public.”

The pair have so far frustrated the massive police operation both in NSW and Victoria even after it was ramped up yesterday, with specialist officers and a police helicopter called in from Melbourne.

On Wednesday, the duo were photographed entering a supermarket in Bairnsdale, before ramming a police car near St James on Thursday.

The search has been moved back to NSW after the Men's Landcruiser sighted at South Gundagai about 9pm Saturday.

"It was filled with fuel, and allegedly left the premises without payment being made," police said in a statement.

Police believe the Landcruiser may be the same vehicle allegedly stolen by the men from Little Billabong, north of Holbrook late on October 18.

The vehicle has South Australian number plates S415 AZL.

The Queensland father and son are wanted in a number of Australian states for a range of alleged criminal offences and have been described by authorities as "modern day bushrangers".

Cops from three states have reportedly been searching for the two men since 2007, earning the men the title as Australia's most wanted father-son duo.

The fugitives are said to have robbed and damaged properties across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, and are known for their hatred of police.

Police have warned that the Stoccos are going to great lengths to avoid capture and are thought to be armed with a high powered rifle.

Wagga Wagga Detective Inspector Darren Cloake, said authorities wanted to hear from road workers, farmers and forestry workers who might have seen something out of the ordinary.

“It might be something as simple as a blanket left out in an odd place, holes cut in fencing wire and fresh tyre tracks or food showing up where it is not expected," he said.

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