Daily Archives: 15/05/2015

Man charged with stealing woman’s purse near Lake Macquarie

A man will appear in court today after allegedly stealing a woman’s purse at a hotel near Lake Macquarie.

About 3:30pm, Thursday 14th May 2015, a woman was celebrating her birthday at a hotel on Ntaba Road, Jewells.

In the poker machine area, a man allegedly stole a purse out of the 59-year-old woman’s bag before running from the hotel.

The woman and other patrons chased the man and police were notified.

Patrolling Traffic & Highway Patrol officers located a 20-year-old man in a nearby backyard.

Police searched the man and seized cash, a folding knife and small quantity of methylamphetamine.

He was taken to Charlestown Police Station and charged with steal from person, two counts of enter enclosed lands, possession of a knife in a public place, possession of a prohibited drug and an outstanding warrant.

The Gateshead man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 15 May 2015).

Critical incident declared after fatal crash – Cootamundra

A critical incident investigation has been launched following a fatal motor vehicle crash in the state’s south tonight.

About 7pm (Thursday 14 May 2015), police attempted to stop a Holden station wagon on the Olympic Way at Cootamundra.

The vehicle allegedly failed to stop, and police initiated a pursuit. This continued along the Olympic Way towards Wallendbeen, before it was terminated for safety reasons.

A short time later, police located the Holden crashed into a culvert.

A female, rear-seat passenger died at the scene. The male driver and front-seat female passenger were not seriously injured and have been taken to hospital as a precaution.

The driver will undergo mandatory blood and urine testing.

A critical incident team from Goulburn Local Area Command will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.

That investigation will be overseen by the Professional Standards Command.

All information will be provided to the Coroner.

No further details are available at this time; however, police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Anyone who can assist police should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Extradited man charged over alleged $12-million-dollar school arson in 2012 – Tamworth

Detectives have charged a man with arson and break-andenter offences after he was extradited from Victoria, where he was arrested this week.

About 3.45am on Sunday 18 March 2012, a fire destroyed the Castlereagh block of the Oxley High School in Tamworth, causing $12 million dollars in damage.

Investigators from Oxley Local Area Command and State Crime Command’s Arson Unit commenced investigations, and in March 2015 identified a 20-year-old man as a person of interest.

On Thursday 9 April 2015, investigators travelled to Malmsbury, Victoria, and interviewed this man.

Following further inquiries, investigators applied for an arrest warrant. On Tuesday 12 May 2015, the man was arrested in Melbourne and taken into custody.

At the man’s court appearance, NSW Police sought his extradition, which was subsequently granted.

The man was flown back to NSW and taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where he was charged in relation to the alleged arson and other matters. Specifically, the man was charged with:

– Destroy property by fire in company;

– Aggravated break and enter an commit serious indictable offence (larceny);

– Aggravated break and enter an commit serious indictable offence (arson);

– Recklessly cause grievous bodily harm in company;

– Affray;

– Damage property.

The man appeared before Central Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 13 May 2015), where he was remanded in custody to face Tamworth Local Court on 29 June 2015.