‘We’re Sitting Ducks’: Fear Grows as Fugitive Keeps Slipping Through Police Net
A Ballina mum has spent nearly a month sleeping with the lights on, terrified that a man fitting the description of wanted fugitive Ochre Wood will return to her rural property.
Liz, who is often home alone with her two young children on the river, says the man first came onto her property early this month — wandering around, “taking notes on his phone’.
He was riding a quad bike, face covered with a hoodie.
Since then, she says daily life has changed completely.
“We sleep with all the lights on. I don’t let the kids outside at all — not even to play in the yard,” she says. “I can’t leave a single door or window open. Even unpacking groceries, I take the kids inside, lock the door, go back to the car, lock it again. It’s crazy.”
She immediately tried to report the incident.
“I called Ballina Police Station seven times. It just rang out. Crime Stoppers put me on hold for 45 minutes.
“Meanwhile he’s out here — armed, on ice, and we’re being told to lock ourselves inside and basically let him take whatever he wants.”
The young mother says police later confirmed to her that the man is considered dangerous, yet she is stunned that no such warning has ever been issued publicly.
“It feels like we’re on our own out here,” she says.
“We’re isolated enough already, but now there’s no sense of support or protection. We’re exhausted.”
Video captured by residents of one of the police pursuits in recent days
Three Days, Three Escapes
Residents say a man matching Ochre’s description has been involved in three dangerous pursuits in as many days, including a dramatic escape yesterday morning.
According to locals, he allegedly stole a Mercedes, crashed it near Carrs Lane, fled on foot, then jumped on a kayak and paddled across the Richmond River to Pimlico where a car was waiting.
By the time police arrived, he was long gone.
Living in Fear
Farmers say the pattern has become disturbingly familiar — a flash of movement in the cane, a stolen vehicle, a jet ski or kayak stashed along the river, and a getaway before the first sirens even sound.
“He’s very elusive,” says Empire Vale resident Colin, whose family has several properties near the river.
“Farmers were out running around from dawn trying to find him. He pops up out of the mangroves covered in mud, then disappears again.”
He says families are now emotionally and physically drained.
“Every night, the security cameras go off — a moth flies past and we’re all awake thinking someone’s breaking in. People feel like they can’t defend themselves. Everyone’s on edge.”
A man believed to be Ochre Wood and an unknown woman as the person makes of on a jet ski – (Image- Facebook- Ballina Crime Reports)
‘Where Are the Police?’
Residents say the man appears to move freely across Wardell, Empire Vale, Keith Hall and South Ballina — sometimes within sight of Empire Vale Public School — while police continue to search for him in a sprawling patchwork of bush tracks, river access points and cane fields.
Locals say they understand the job is difficult, but frustration is boiling over at the lack of officers, slow response times, and the absence of timely, transparent public warnings about a man police privately acknowledge is dangerous.
One farmer says that during the community crisis meeting this week, police advised residents that if someone breaks into their home, they should simply lock themselves in a room and call Triple Zero.
“But we all know that could take anywhere from 30 minutes to three days for someone to turn up,” he says. “What are families supposed to do?”
Residents also say they are angered by what they describe as poor handling of public information.
“As locals we’ve been told he’s dangerous, violent, on ice,” Liz says. “But none of that has been communicated to the broader community.
“Why? How is that keeping anyone safe?”
Police Media Silent
Ballina News Daily has contacted NSW Police Media for more information about the three recent pursuits and the allegations raised by residents, including failures to answer calls, delays in responding to statements, and the lack of public warnings.
As of publication, no updated information has been provided.
Pictured – the fugitive believed to be Ochre Wood escapes on a canoe yesterday. Residents say by time police arrived on a boat from Ballina, he was long gone and had disappeared once again.
Police Appeal for Assistance
Police have confirmed only that they are seeking 23-year-old Ochre Wood (main image above), wanted on outstanding warrants for assault and traffic offences.
They say he is known to frequent Ballina, Empire Vale, Wardell and Keith Hall and they want to speak to him about the recent property-related crime matters around South Ballina where a man fitting his description has been spotted.
Ballina News Daily does not suggest Ochre Wood is responsible for the crimes, only that allegations have been made and he is wanted by Police.
Ochre Wood is described as Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, 170–180cm, thin build, with neck and chest tattoos.
Police warn residents not to approach him.
