Monthly Archives: May 2016

Fatal crash – Hunter Valley

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal crash in the Hunter Valley yesterday.

Just before 10pm (Saturday 21 May 2016), emergency services were called to the Golden Highway, about 3km north of Jerry Plains after a Holden Commodore was found crashed into a power pole.

Initial investigations suggest that the vehicle left the roadway and crashed causing fatal injuries to the 27-year-old male driver.

A crime scene was established and officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command will be preparing a report for the information of the Coroner.

Drugs and cash seized following fire – Lake Macquarie

Police have seized drugs and cash following a fire in Lake Macquarie yesterday.

Shortly after midday, (Friday 20 May 2016), emergency services were called to an industrial site on Kalaroo Road, Redhead, following reports of a fire.

Upon arrival Fire & Rescue NSW extinguished the blaze and uncovered a hydroponic set up.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command searched the premises and allegedly located 38 cannabis plants, more than 8kg of cannabis leaf and more than $35,000 in cash.

All items were seized and will undergo forensic examination.

Police established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.

Inquiries into the incident are continuing, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Missing woman – Goulburn

A search is underway for a woman missing from Goulburn.

Lin Dinnien, aged 56, was last seen by staff at a medical facility on Clifford Street, about 4pm on Wednesday 13 April 2016.

Ms Dinnien is described as being of Asian appearance, about 150-155cm tall, with shoulder length black hair and a medium build. She has brown eyes and is of a medium build.

When last seen, Ms Dinnien was wearing a grey cardigan, black tights and sandals.

Police continue to make inquiries into her whereabouts and area appealing for information.

Police appeal to locate wanted man – Riverina region

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted in the state’s Riverina region.

John Bianchi, aged 59, is wanted on a revocation of parole warrant.

The warrant relates to an armed robbery in Newcastle in 1993, as well as firearms offences.

Officers from Deniliquin Local Area Command are conducting inquiries in an attempt to locate Bianchi as it’s believed he could be in that area.

He is described as being of Mediterranean / Middle Eastern appearance, 170cm tall, with a thin build and black hair.

Anyone who sees Bianchi or believes they know his whereabouts is urged to contact Triple Zero ‘000’ immediately.

 

Drink driving charges in court – Yass

Magistrate Caroline Huntsman presided over a number of matters when Yass Local Court sat on Thursday, May 12:

William Michael Allen, 20, of Galong NSW came before court charged with mid-range drink driving. Mr Allen, who held a provisional driver’s licence, was stopped by police near the Yass Police Station in Rossi Street for a roadside breath test at about 1.30am on Sunday January 24. Police facts state he told police, “I’ve had heaps to drink” before he was escorted into the station for a breath analysis, which produced a positive reading of 0.126 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath. Mr Allen stated he consumed six full strength beers and 500ml of wine between 9pm on January 23 and 1.15am on January 24. He also said he had not consumed any food during this period. For the offence of mid-range drink driving, he was fined $500 and disqualified for six months.

Anita Bumbar, 40, of Yass came before court charged with mid-range drink driving. About 12.05am on Wednesday November 25, 2015, Ms Bumbar was driving in a southerly direction along the Hume Highway near Bowning. She lost control of the vehicle and came to rest against a guard rail and emergency services were notified. Ms Bumbar was treated at the scene by paramedics and transported to Yass Hospital where a blood sample was taken. The reading was 0.085 grams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. Ms Bumbar told police she consumed alcohol at a local club in Yass prior to driving but has little memory of how the collision occurred. She was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for six months.

Steven Douglas Butriss, 45, of Gunning came before court charged with driving with an illicit drug present in his blood. Mr Butriss was stopped by police about 2.10pm on Wednesday December 2, 2015 driving east on Collector Road at Gunning. He was subjected to an oral fluid test, which subsequently produced a positive detection to Methamphetamines. He was arrested for the purposes of a secondary oral fluid test and taken to Goulburn Police Station. This sample was tested and also returned a positive result. The remainder of the sample was sent to the NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Service and it returned a positive result to Methylamphetamine and deltra-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. He was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for six months.

Manlio D’Amato, 61, of Mernda Vic, came before court charged with driving while his licence was suspended and low-range drink driving. Police noticed his car at 7.52pm on Saturday April 16 driving northeast on the Hume Highway and followed it to the Yass Service Centre. Police had knowledge of the vehicle as Mr D’Amato had been stopped by Gundagai Highway Patrol at 4.50pm that day on the Hume Highway at Tumblong. He had returned a breath analysis reading of 0.095 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath and was charged with mid-range drink driving. His licence was also suspended under Section 224 of the Road Transport Act. When later stopped by police in Yass, Mr D’Amato was asked why he was driving to which he stated he had to keep driving as he was in the middle of Melbourne and Sydney and needed to get to Sydney. He was submitted to another breath test, which returned a positive reading and was conveyed to Yass Police Station. There he underwent a breath analysis, which returned a reading of 0.072 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath. He told police he had consumed two schooners of full strength beer at a hotel in Tarcutta between 5.50pm and 6.30pm on April 16. He was charged with low-range drink driving by Yass Police and driving with a suspended licence. For those offences, he was convicted in court and fined a total of $800 and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Matthew Thomas Fitzsimmons, 34, of Coolamon NSW came before court charged with mid-range drink driving. Police stopped Mr Fitzsimmons driving along Lead Street at 6.20pm on Saturday March 5. He was subjected to a breath test, which returned a positive result and was conveyed to Yass Police Station. There he underwent a breath analysis, which indicated a reading of 0.145 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath. Mr Fitzsimmons said he consumed three middies of beer between 5.45pm and 6pm during which time he did not eat any food. He was fined $600 and disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Peter Kennedy, 59, of Bonner ACT came before court charged with mid-range drink driving. Police were conducting stationary random breath testing along the Yass Valley Way at 4.25pm on Thursday February 18 when Mr Kennedy’s vehicle was stopped. He was submitted to a breath test that returned a positive result. At 4.50pm, he returned a reading to a breath analysis of 0.142 grams of alcohol in 210 millilitres of breath. He admitted to consuming a bottle of red wine and half a bottle of Jack Daniels whisky the night before, his last drink being at midnight. He was fined $600 and disqualified from driving for nine months.

Samantha Ann Smart, 24, of Burleigh Heads QLD came before court charged with mid-range drink driving. Ms Smart was driving in a northerly direction along the Yass Valley Way at 7.26pm on Saturday February 13. At the time, police were conducting stationary RBT and she was subjected to a breath test, which indicated a positive result. At the Yass Police Station, Ms Smart registered a breath analysis reading of 0.102 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath. She stated she had consumed two glasses of wine between 6pm and 7pm. Ms Smart was fined $600 and disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Man ‘high on ice’ allegedly found with $280,000 CASH after police pull over suspicious vehicle

A driver who was allegedly high on drugs and found with $280,000 cash after police searched his car will face court on Thursday.

Police pulled over a ‘suspicious’ car on the Hume Highway about 40km east of Wagga Wagga in rural New South Wales on Wednesday.

They allegedly found nearly $280, 000 in cash inside the Toyota Hiace, which driven by a 26-year-old man.

A 26-year-old man Cootamundra Highway police pulled over a ‘suspicious’ car on the Hume Highway about 40km east of Wagga Wagga on Wednesday. Police allegedly found nearly $280,000 in cash inside the Toyota Hiace

He was arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station where he was subjected to a drug test, which allegedly returned a positive indication for methyl amphetamine, or ‘ice’.

The man, from Queensland, was charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime.

The incident has prompted Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley to warn motorists of the consequences of using the road to undertake unlawful activities.

‘Police are out in force, and if you are doing the wrong thing, we will catch up with you,’ Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said

‘If you think you are going to get away with illegal activity on our roads, you can think again,’ he said.

‘The CATCH program targets vehicles suspected of transporting drugs and other illegal contraband.

‘Police are out in force, and if you are doing the wrong thing, we will catch up with you.’

The 26-year-old was refused bail and will appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on Thursday.

Man and woman charged following alleged aggravated break-in – Wallsend

A man and a woman have been charged after an alleged aggravated break and enter on the NSW Central Coast yesterday.

About 12pm (Thursday 19 May 2016), a 20-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were in their bedroom on Thomas Street, Wallsend, when an unknown man forced entry to the home.

Police will allege the man, armed with a knife and replica firearm, spoke to the occupants before leaving.

A short time later, the man returned with an unknown woman, and the pair forced entry into the home.

The intruders allegedly threatened the occupants, before taking a number of items including mobile phones, and a motor vehicle.

About 1.30pm, officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command stopped a vehicle on Blue Gun Road, Jesmond, and spoke to the female driver and male passenger, before searching them and the car.

During the search, police allegedly located and seized a replica pistol, machete and property believed to be stolen.

The man and woman were arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station and Newcastle Police Station respectively.

The 42-year-old man was charged with special aggravated break and enter, take and detain in company, threaten person with intent to commit serious indictable offence in company, malicious damage, take and drive conveyance and possess unauthorised pistol.

The 26-year-old woman was charged with special aggravated break and enter, take and detain in company, threaten person with intent to commit serious indictable offence in company, malicious damage, common assault and drive whilst disqualified.

Both were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 20 May 2016).

Man charged over alleged drug offences seized during search warrant – Tamworth

Police have charged a man with alleged drug and firearm offences following a search warrant in Tamworth yesterday.

About 3.30pm (Thursday 19 May 2016), officers attached to Oxley Local Area Command executed a search warrant on a property on Ogunbil Road, Dungowan (approximately 30km south east of Tamworth).

During the search, police will allege 14 cannabis plants, cannabis leaf, and an unregistered firearm and ammunition were located. All items were seized and will be forensically examined.

A 47-year-old man was arrested and taken to Tamworth Police Statio.

He has been charged with cultivate prohibited plant, possess prohibited drug, supply cannabis, possess unauthorised firearm, possess ammunition without holding license/permit, and not keep firearm safely.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Tamworth Local Court on Monday 20 June 2016.

Missing yachtsman found – Port Stephens

The man thought to be missing, after his yacht was found adrift and unattended on the state’s north on Tuesday, has been found, safe and well.

Police have been told a man came across the vessel named ‘FireFly’ on Tuesday (16 May 2016), off Samurai Beach, Port Stephens, and was unable to locate anyone board.

The man towed the yacht to deeper water and anchored it, before contacting Marine Rescue and Marine Area Command.

Yesterday, officers attached to the Marine Area Command and Port Stephens Water Police, with assistance from Volunteer Marine Rescue, Surf Lifesaving, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and local police covered areas from Nelson Bay to Stockton Beach.

The search continued at 8am this morning (Thursday 19 May 2016).

About 12.00pm today (Thursday 19 May 2016), a 48-year-old man attended Newcastle Police Station, to notify police he was safe and well after being alerted by reports in the media.

Officers from the Marine Area Command are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the boat being abandoned.

Police would like to thank the community and media for their assistance.

Two-car crash – Testers Hollow, near Cessnock

About 12.45pm today (Thursday 19 May 2016), police and emergency services attended Cessnock Road at Testers Hollow, about 5km north of Heddon Greta following reports of a crash.

On arrival, they found two cars – a blue Nissan Pulsar and a white Mitsubishi Magna – had collided head-on.

Both female drivers were trapped in their vehicles for a short time before being released by VRA rescue.

The 33-year-old female driver of the Mitsubishi and her 2-year-old son were assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics and were found to be uninjured. She was breath-tested at the scene with a negative result.

The 21-year-old female driver of the Nissan was taken by NSW Ambulance Paramedics to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition with head injuries.

Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command have established a crime scene while they investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Cessnock Road is blocked in both directions and local traffic diversions are in place.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and visit www.livetraffic.com for more information, as the road is expected to be closed for sometime.