Sheep thieves on lam
Lamb taken from school a ‘prank’
A LAMB stolen from the Charleville State High School grounds is believed to have been a harmless end-of-year prank by students.
The unnamed nine-monthold black sheep was stolen from the agricultural yards at the school sometime between 9pm and 10pm on Saturday, November 9.
Nearby security cameras recorded a silver hatchback with a blue decal on the rear windscreen drive to the school and stop at the gates, where two males got out of the car.
Charleville police Sergeant Jon Roche said the pair climbed over the fence into the sheep pen and herded the animals into a corner.
The border Leicester lamb was tied up, lifted over the fence and loaded into the twodoor hatch and the car has been driven away.
A fence post on the pens was bent where police suspect the two males gained entry to the yards.
The lamb was recovered unharmed about 12.50pm the next day after word spread through the town of the theft.
The lamb, bred through the school’s agricultural program, was found on Murweh Dr and was reunited with its mother.
Sgt Roche said police were appealing for help from the public to identify the three people in the silver car over the lamb theft.
He confirmed the lamb was not injured and had since been reunited with its mother at the school.
“We certainly do suspect it is students as an end of year prank,” he said, adding the offence was probably intended to be harmless.
Sgt Roche said through the use of social media and the Charleville “grapevine” a member of the public found the lamb and phoned police.
But officers are still searching for the two males seen getting out of the hatchback.
The vehicle is believed to have a blue sticker or decal on the back of it.
Anyone with information is urged to phone Charleville police on 4650 5500 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.