Category: Radio16

Police are searching for a prisoner who escaped from a minimum security facility in Cessnock this morning.

Blay Cunningham, 25, was last seen at the Cessnock Correctional Facility just before 10am today (Sunday 1 March 2015).

Police have been told the man was briefly sighted on Verdelho Avenue, Mount View.

Cunningham was reported missing to Central Hunter Local Area Command, who commenced a search of the area.

He is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 167cm tall, of slim build, and with dark brown hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing green tracksuit pants and carrying a white t-shirt.

Police are warning the public not to approach Cunningham if they see him, but to instead contact Triple Zero immediately.

A man has been charged with indecent assault, common assault and offensive behaviour near Newcastle today.

About 1.40am (Sunday 1 March, 2015) a 30-year-old man approached two 26-year-old women from behind while they were walking along Beaumont Street, Hamilton. He allegedly indecently assaulted one of the women, who pushed him away. A short argument ensued and the man allegedly punched the other woman in the mouth.

Police were called and upon arrival the 30-year-old was allegedly acting aggressive, swearing at police.

He was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station. He was charged with indecent assault, common assault and offensive behaviour and refused bail to appear before Newcastle Bail Court today (Sunday 1 March 2015).

A man has died after being stabbed in the state’s Hunter region overnight.

About 1am today (Sunday 1 March 2015), police and emergency services were called to a home on Edgeworth Street.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers located a 48-year-old man with a number of wounds.

Police commenced CPR until Ambulance Paramedics arrived, however, the man died at the scene.

A short time later, as officers were examining the scene, a vehicle driving past lost control and rolled into the established crime scene.

Police located a 50-year-old man inside the car with multiple wounds. He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

The two incidents are linked and the man is helping police with their inquiries.

An investigation into the matter is now underway.

Police are investigating reports of con men targeting residents in the Eleebana area.

Officers have been told in recent days men, believed to be Irish or British, have been approaching local residents offering to work around their homes in exchange for cash.

Police are concerned that vulnerable people may be targeted and feel pressured to have work undertaken.

Police attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command would like to hear from anyone that can provide further information of similar incidents.

Members of the public are also encouraged to view further information on the NSW Fair Trading.com website under “Travelling Con Men”.

This site provides information on;

• What to look out for;
• What to do if you have been approached by a suspected con man; and,

• How to protect yourself.

Police are appealing for the public’s help after a girl was approached by a stranger near Newcastle this morning.

About 8am (Tuesday 24 February) the 12-year-old was walking to school along Tyrell Street in Wallsend when a black Toyota Prado began following her.

The girl walked into the front yard of a nearby home in a bid to evade the vehicle. The Toyota pulled into the driveway of the home before reversing and driving off.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command are investigating the incident.

The driver of the Toyota is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in 40s, short dark hair, a moustache and wearing reading-style glasses.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Meanwhile, the incident has again prompted police to encourage parents to discuss the ‘Safe People, Safe Places’ messages with their children, including;

– Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times.

– Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people.

– Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police.

– Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust.

– Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop.

– If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared.

– If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you’. This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know.

Police attached to Central Hunter Local Area Command are investigating two separate incidents where children have been approached.

The first incident occurred just after 8.30am today (Tuesday 24 February, 2015), a 12-year-old girl was sitting on the eastern side of Metford Road near the intersection of Collinson Street at Tenambit.

A white van stopped in the middle of the road and the driver spoke to the girl before driving away.

The girl boarded her bus and informed her teachers at schools of the incident.

The van is described as being white with no windows, with long PVC pipes on the roof and black and white number plates. The driver is described as having a dark complexion, dark brown hair wearing a high visibility vest.

The second incident occurred about 3pm (Tuesday 24 February 2015), when a 10-year-old girl was walking home from her school towards her bus stop at the intersection of Elgin Street and Ken Tubman Drive at Maitland.

A car stopped near the girl and the driver asked her to get into the car. The girl ran back to school and informed her teachers.

The car is described as being a white station wagon and the driver is a male, aged in his 40s , Caucasian appearance, short hair with a beard and tattoos on his arm.

Meanwhile, the incident has again prompted police to encourage parents to discuss the ‘Safe People, Safe Places’ messages with their children, including;

– Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times.

– Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people.

– Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police.

– Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust.

– Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop.

– If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared.

– If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you’. This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know.

A man has died and investigations are underway following a fire in Maitland this morning, which police are treating as suspicious.

About 1.50am (Friday 20 February 2015), emergency services were called to a demountable building on Elizabeth Street, Wallalong (about 13km north east of Maitland), following reports of a fire.

Officers attached to NSW Rural Fire Service attended and extinguished the blaze.

The body of a man was located in the building. It is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be the 72-year-old resident.

A crime scene has been established and officers attached to Central Hunter Local Area Command are investigating the cause of the fire, which is believed to be suspicious.

As police continue their inquiries into the circumstances leading up to the incident, they are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.

Witnesses are being sought to a crash involving a motorcycle and car near Maitland yesterday.

About 6.20pm (Wednesday 18 February 2015), a motorcycle and car collided at the intersection of River Road and Denton Drive, Windella, about 10km west of Maitland.

Officers from the Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit (CIU) and Central Hunter Local Area Command attended and commenced an investigation.

The rider, a 19-year-old man, suffered a serious injury to his right arm and was taken by NSW Ambulance Paramedics to John Hunter Hospital.

The driver of the car, a 24-year-old woman, was taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.

The intersection was closed for more six hours while investigations were conducted.

Police from the CIU are now asking anyone who witnessed the crash, and hasn’t yet spoken to investigators, to come forward.

They are especially interested in anyone who may have seen the motorcycle – a green Kawasaki – or the car – a blue Toyota Camry sedan – before the crash occurred.

Anyone with information should contact the Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit on 02 49290744.

A teenager has been charged after being arrested by a witness to an armed robbery in Birmingham Gardens, Newcastle, this morning.

About 9.30am (Monday 16 February 2015), a male entered a service station on Sandgate Road allegedly armed with a knife and threatened staff.

Staff complied with his demands and handed over an amount of cash before he ran from the scene.

A 55-year-old man who witnessed the incident followed the male, who dropped the knife and jumped on a bicycle.

The witness lost sight of the male for a short time before seeing him again at a drain system nearby. The witness gave chase and tackled the male to the ground.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command arrived a short time later and arrested a 17-year-old boy.

He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with armed robbery (x2) and was refused bail to appear at Children’s Court tomorrow (Thursday 17 February 2015).