A man has been caught allegedly stealing from a home left empty by residents who had to flee because of the threat of bushfires.

A 19-year-old allegedly broke into the vacant rural property in Batlow, 110km south-east of Wagga Wagga, and stole a Ford Falcon yesterday afternoon.

Officers saw the sedan driving erratically a short time later and found it crashed into a tree.

The driver was taken to hospital in a stable condition where he remains under police guard.

Police found a backpack in the car with jewellery, documentation and ammunition believed to be stolen.

NSW RFS Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers tells Natalie Peters and Erin Molan such an act is unacceptable.

“At the time of someone’s greatest concern, and they’re worried about their safety, and someone takes advantage of that to go in and try to rob someone.

“If that’s actually true, that that’s happened, then I’d think I’d put that sort of person in the same bucket as arsonists.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview

Image: RFS