Grenades, explosive ordnance seized during NT Police Force investigation

Operation Cheyenne was established in December 2025 to investigate allegations that the man stole property, including plant and equipment and building materials, between August 2021 and June 2025 to improve his properties.

It is alleged that the man stole property, including plant and equipment and building materials, to improve his two properties in Livingstone, Northern Territory, with a total loss in the order of $1.33 million.

Major Fraud Squad executed search warrants, with assistance from other members of the Financial Crimes Section and other specialist units, at two separate properties in Livingstone on 1 April.

During the searches, police recovered around $123,000 worth of allegedly stolen plant and equipment.

Police also identified 32 explosive ordnance items suspected of having military origin, unsafe for public possession, including World War II munitions, hand grenades, rocket components and warheads.

These items were subsequently released to the Australian Defence Forces Northern Territory Joint Explosive Ordnance Support team for secure storage and referral through to the Australian Federal Police.

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The 52-year-old male was arrested and charged with seven counts of obtaining property by Deception contrary to section 228 AH Criminal Code Act 1983 (NT) and one of Theft contrary to section 217 Criminal Code Act 1983 (NT).

The Australian Federal Police also charged the man with the following Commonwealth offences including dishonestly taking property belonging to a Commonwealth entity, namely military grade munitions and ordnances contrary to section 132.8 (1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) as well as dishonestly retainining property belonging to a Commonwealth entity, namely military grade munitions and ordnances contrary to section 132.8 (2) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

“Fraud is reported by the Australian Institute of Criminology as costing Australians more than $5 billion per year,” Major Fraud Squad Detective Sergeant Nicholas George said.

“The resolution of this operation involved collaboration with federal partners and through continued cooperation we will investigate, prosecute and disrupt anyone who commits fraud in the Northern Territory”.

The man appeared at Darwin Local Court on 2 April this year and was bailed to appear in court on 20 June 2026.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.