A man will face court after he was allegedly found in possession of a loaded pistol at Rathmines today.

Just after 9am (Wednesday 23 December 2015), detectives attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command were making inquiries with a man at a reserve on Overhill Road at Rathmines.

The man allegedly ran from police towards a mobile home parked on the reserve.

Officers ran after the man into the mobile home. The man allegedly produced a pistol and a short struggle took place.

The officers were able to arrest the man and secure the pistol which allegedly contained six live rounds of ammunition.

A further search of the mobile home allegedly located an additional 24 rounds of ammunition.

The 57-year-old man was taken to Toronto Police Station where he was charged with several offences:

– Possess loaded firearm in public place;

– Use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention;

– Possess unregistered firearm;

– Not keep firearm safely;

– Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority; and

– Resist officer in execution of duty.

The man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 24 December 2015).

A man has been charged over a number of alleged police pursuits and drug offences in the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command yesterday.

Just before 10.30pm (Tuesday 22 December 2015), police attempted to stop a red Holden sedan travelling on James Street, Windale, when the driver allegedly failed to stop.

A pursuit was initiated and continued through Garden Suburb, Cardiff and Warners Bay, when the vehicle escaped police.

A second pursuit was initiated on Warners Bay Road, Warners Bay, when police again attempted to stop the vehicle; however the driver again was able to avoid police.

The vehicle and driver, a 31-year-old man, were located on Marmong Street, Marmong Point.

The man was arrested at the scene and the vehicle searched, where police allegedly located a hunting knife and amphetamine. All items have been seized for forensic examination.

The man was taken to Belmont Hospital for mandatory testing, before being taken to Lake Macquarie Police Station, where he was charged with seven offences, including:

– Three counts of not stop for police (Skye’s Law),

– Unaccompanied Learner driver,

– Not display L-plates,

– Possess knife, and

– Possess prohibited drug.

He has been refused bail, to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 23 December 2015).

Further charges are expected to be laid.