Three men have been apprehended in New South Wales following a robbery and assault on a farmer in Yorketown, South Australia. The incident occurred on a Monday at approximately 1am, where the assailants targeted Francis Taheny, known locally as Dig, and reportedly made off with over $1 million in cash.
Martin Webster, a resident of the area, expressed concern for the victim, suggesting that the traumatic experience may severely impact his trust in others. The attack left the 74-year-old farmer with injuries to his head, but after receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, he has since returned home.
At 8.45am, roughly 600 kilometres away on the Barrier Highway near Broken Hill, police stopped a white Hyundai van. The driver, a 49-year-old man from NSW, was arrested; however, a passenger managed to escape. Inside the vehicle, authorities discovered 14 firearms, including a loaded semi-automatic shotgun, as well as a significant haul of collectible coins and cash.
Subsequently, a second white van was located in Cobar, over 1000 kilometres from the crime scene. This vehicle was also believed to contain stolen items, leading to the arrest of a 35-year-old man at that location.
Both arrested individuals have been brought before the courts in NSW and will remain in custody until they are extradited to South Australia to face charges related to the attack and theft.