www.awnw.com.au
Issue #305 – Wednesday, 28 October, 2015
Albury Wodonga’s largest circulating newspaper
New course but the same aim THE Border Relay for Life’s new venue for 2015 didn’t stop the supporters from signing up and raising over $300,000 for the Cancer Council at the weekend. Organisers have described the community spirit at the event as the best yet. SEE MORE ON PAGE 11
Still searching By ERIN SOMERVILLE
So much to see
THE Border Bike Fest is continuing to cement the region as a motorbike capital with organisers reporting the strongest year yet. Over 3000 visitors from all corners of Australia flooded to Gateway Lakes to see an array of motorcycles at the weekend, as well as raise funds for local services and charities. For more, turn to page 10.
Mark Stocco heads into a supermarket at Bairnsdale. Picture: NSW POLICE
Gino Stocco spotted on CCTV at Bairnsdale.
each, including attempted murder. Police have urged the public to continue reporting suspicious activity or sightings of the Stoccos. Wagga Wagga Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Darren Cloake said they were keen to hear from people such as road workers, farmers, forestry workers, who might have noticed anything out of ordinary in their work environment to contact police. “It might be something as simple as a blanket left out in an odd place, holes cut in fencing wire and fresh tyre tracks or food showing up where it is not expected. “We would urge anyone who might encounter something like this, not to touch things and contact police.” The public is urged to call triple-zero (000) immediately if they see either of the two men. Under no circumstances should members of the public approach the men. LOOK OUT FOR:
Stocco’s Landcruiser has white rims and a · The bullbar with possible numberplates including: · BV7 0WP (yellow NSW plates). · ZUE 632 (blue and white Victorian). · YHS 085 (blue and white Victorian). · S415 AZL (black and white South Australian).
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Eliza Frede soaks in the Border Bike Fest display. 146120 Picture: ADAM WILSON
POLICE across NSW and Victoria are continuing to hunt for wanted and armed fugitives Mark and Gino Stocco. Police and PolAir combed two properties near Tarcutta on Monday afternoon in search of the father and son duo before Wagga’s Superintendent Bob Noble confirmed on Tuesday morning the Stocco sightings have “largely been debunked”. As of Tuesday afternoon, 11 days after the fugitives allegedly shot at a police vehicle on Kreutzbergers road between Wagga and Albury, police are still searching. The hunt has prompted vigilance in many rural towns and villages across the states, with the pair believed to be armed with a high-powered rifle and becoming increasingly desperate. Albury Wodonga NewsWeekly has received reports of residents living on rural properties in the Stocco manhunt areas choosing to head into town and stay with relatives until they feel more secure. The fugitives are known as modern day bushrangers and have been wanted by police for eight years. They have led authorities on a chase across the two states since shooting at a police vehicle on 16 October. A rolling series of sightings and incidents have since been reported across a scale of hundreds of kilometres including Euroa, Tumbarumba, St James, and Bairnsdale. The last confirmed sighting was 9pm on Saturday night when the pair stole around $200 worth of fuel from a South Gundagai service station, prompting police to believe the fugitives are low on money. Police have reported the men are continuing to change the appearance of a 2013 white Toyota Landcruiser they stole from a property at Little Billabong on 18 October that they are still believed to be driving. Police have also previously reported difficulty in identifying the culprits’ Landcruiser due to the large volume of similar vehicles in rural and regional areas. The pair are wanted in relation to 13 offences