On Tuesday, farmer and BlazeAid founder Kevin Butler, like many Victorian farmers and CFA volunteers, attended the CFA protest.
Whilst Mr Butler was in the city, four men, described as of Middle Eastern appearance, were sighted by a witness around 8:30am on Tuesday, May 20.
Eighty sheep were stolen from Mr Butler’s farm, just off the Strathlea – Newstead Rd., Strathlea near Newstead, Central Victoria, after 381 sheep were also stolen two years ago.
The merino ewes are pregnant with their first baby lamb – mothers to be – and are just shorn.
They would have been very friendly because we’ve been hand feeding them for several months, as there is no food in the paddocks from the shocking drought.
“While us farmers were at the cruel ESVF tax rally in Melbourne, you were stealing our sheep on our farm and you were seen,” Mr Butler said.
The four men were seen loading the Butlers’ sheep up a fold-down ramp into a fading blue furniture van. The furniture van has some sign writing on the side and is understood to be fully enclosed.
A white dual-wheeled Iveco van that had its registration plates removed was sighted by the witness.
During the theft it is understood the alleged offenders approached the witness who asked the alleged thieves: “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
One of the offenders had a piece of timber in thier hand screaming “fuck off” which she did as she thought she was about to be bashed.
The witness also believes she saw you a year or two back dumping demolition waste, split systems, into a gully, and she told you to load it back up again and take it back to Melbourne.
It is understood that the four offenders made off in an easterly direction, either left into the Maryborough Road or east onto Newstead Road. Dirty tyre marks were left on the bitumen.
“We love our animals, so they would have been nice mutton for you, which I understand is a delicacy in your country. You and your friends and network would have eaten the mutton and offal by now, but did you eat the baby lambs inside?” Mr Butler said.
Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident, sighted the vehicle and trailer or can identify the van-trailer configuration, or has CCTV or dashcam footage, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
