Joshua Abbott and Steven McDowall charged over massive cattle rustling bust in WA’s north

Police expect to make more arrests in relation to WA’s biggest livestock rustling bust after the identities of two more people linked to the alleged theft were revealed today. Joshua Abbott and Steven McDowall have been charged in connection to the alleged elaborate theft and sale of 803 cattle, which has sent shock waves through the close-knit industry. Mr Abbott, from Carnarvon, has been charged with two counts of stealing and one count of property laundering and is scheduled to appear in the Carnarvon Magistrates Court on Monday. It is understood Mr Abbott had been working for Central Stockcare, which owns Minnie Creek Station at West Lyons River in the Upper Gascoyne, and a feedlot at Badgingarra. Minnie Creek station borders Mangaroon Station — where some of the cattle was stolen from. Earlier this week it was confirmed that thefts occurred from both Maroonah and Mangaroon, which operate as the same pastoral lease. Mangaroon and Maroonah was previously owned by the Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation, but is the process of being sold after going into special administration under its former chief executive. Central Stockcare’s website was not live today. Mr McDowall has been charged with four counts of alleged stealing as a servant and four counts of alleged property laundering and scheduled to appear in the Karratha Magistrates Court on Wednesday. He spent time working on Mardie Station near Karratha, where Clive Palmer’s Citic Pacific’s Sino Iron Ore operation is based. Mardie Station was de-stocked of some 4500 cattle in mid-2019 by former manager Richard Climas amid the drought. Mr Climas left Mardie in late 2019. Police from the Rural Crime Squad have now charged five people as part of Operation Topography — relating to the huge theft valued at approximately $800,000. Richard Arends and Rachael Third of Edmund Station, which also borders the Maroonah and Mangaroon stations, have also been charged and are scheduled to appear in the Carnarvon court on April 12. Nutrien stock agent Daniel Wood was also charged with five counts of alleged property/money laundering, after he allegedly used his position to sell stolen cattle. Mr Wood is scheduled to appear in court on Monday and plans to defend the charges. Police say more arrests will be made in coming weeks.