Police lay more charges on accused Richard Arends and Rachael Third over State’s biggest cattle rustling heist

A Gascoyne couple allegedly involved in WA’s biggest cattle-rustling case have been hit with additional charges. Richard Arends and Rachael Third, of Edmund Station, were charged in February in relation to the alleged theft and sale of 803 cattle worth about $800,000. The pair was facing six charges of stealing, six charges of property laundering and one charge of receiving, following an investigation by the Rural Crime Squad. Mr Arends has now also been charged with attempting to gain benefits by fraud, attempting to pervert the course of justice, two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable (principal) offence, possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property, and permitting an unlicensed person to possess a firearm/ammunition. He was also charged with four more counts of stealing and one of property laundering. Ms Third now faces extra charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice, two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, an extra charge each of stealing and laundering. The pair, remanded on $10,000 bail, appeared before the Carnarvon Magistrate’s Court on Monday but were not required to enter a plea. Ms Third is due to next appear before the court on June 14 and Mr Arends on July 26. Three other people — Steven McDowall of Brunswick, Nutrien Harcourts livestock agent Daniel Wood and Carnarvon’s Joshua Abbott — were also charged with offences in relation to the alleged bust. WA’s newly formed Rural Crime Squad has been investigating cattle rustling in the North West and say more charges are yet to be laid. Police say Operation Topography has uncovered organised criminal networks comprising individuals and companies operating in WA, including aerial and ground musterers, livestock trucking companies, truck drivers, stock agents, and feedlots.