Police hunting thief in $250k oyster heist

Police are on the hunt for a thief after a large amount of oysters, totalling $250,000, were stolen from an oyster farm in Australia.

Oyster farming is a major industry in New South Wales, Australia. One of the most important varieties in the area is the Sydney rock oyster, which can take three to four years to reach maturity.

Now, Australian oyster farmer Ryan Freeman of Latitude 31 Oysters, which operates out of Scotts Creek at Oxley Island, New South Wales, has been set back years after a major theft that saw a huge amount of stock stolen.

400,000 juvenile Sydney rock oysters were stolen

As per ABC News, police have said 320 aquaculture oyster bags containing 400,000 juvenile oysters were stolen. Freeman said he went down to check on the farm in the Manning River one morning and noticed they were missing.

Police said the estimated value of the oysters was approximately $350,000 AUD ($250,000 USD). Freeman said 80% of the stock was set to be sold at Christmas time, and the timing of the heist is a result of that.

“We probably get through 35-40,000 dozen at Christmas time,” he said. “That’s why the thieves would have targeted them because they’re not going to be far off, they’re going to be able to sell them this Christmas.” 

“It’s going to take us a few years to recover and all they’ve done is put us back another two to three years,” he continued. “I understand everyone is doing it tough, but I don’t believe stealing and taking from someone else is going to help someone else; all you’ve done is take someone else out for a small reward and high risk.”

Police have urged anyone with information to come forward, while Latitude 31 Oysters have asked people to be vigilant and look out for illegitimate stock or bulk selling of oysters.

For similar stories, check out our coverage of the heist involving 40,000 lbs of Pabst Blue Ribbon, or the 12 tons of KitKat stolen by thieves.