News from Yass Police

A 39-year-old man drove at speeds of up to 150km/h in an attempt to get away from police at about 1pm on April 20.

Police at Goulburn attempted to pull the man over on the Hume Highway but the pursuit was soon terminated. At 2pm Yass Highway patrol pulled him over near the Mundoonen Rest Area but he drove off once police were out of their car.

During the high-speed pursuit which followed, the driver was drinking a bottle of bourbon.

Spikes were deployed which deflated both front tyres and brought the vehicle to a stop.

The Lavington man was arrested and charged with special range drink driving, after registering a BAC of 0.044 and driving with a cancelled licence. He was also charged under Skye’s Law (police pursuit).

While he was in custody it was discovered that he had an outstanding warrant. He was refused bail and appeared in Goulburn Court the next day.

His case has been adjourned for sentencing until May 27.

Using both lanes

A 27-year-old man from Victoria drove at speeds between 165 and 175km/h during a police pursuit on Thursday April 23.

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Travelling south on the Hume Highway near Bookham, police activated their warning devices after he was caught driving at 152km/h in his red Mitsubishi Triton.

The pursuit lasted around 35km before he slowed down, travelled across the median strip and continued south in the northbound lanes. Police immediately terminated the pursuit and closed the highway.

He continued for around seven kilometres before police found his abandoned car in a paddock. He eventually revealed himself, was arrested and admitted to using prohibited drugs the night before. He was subsequently sent to Yass Hospital for a blood and urine test.

A search of his ute located around 170.4 grams of white powder, believed to be methylamphetamine.

He was charged under Skye’s Law (police pursuit), and with driving never licenced, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, supply of a prohibited drug and possessing a prohibited drug. Further charges may be laid.

He was issued with a court attendance notice.

Destruction at Rock Lodge Road

A 30-year-old Sydney man drove through two padlock gates and attempted to smash through a third on private land on the Old Hume Highway at Jerrawa.

After failing to get through the third gate he returned to the Mundoonen Rest Area at about 4.20pm on Friday April 10.

At 8.20pm residents of a property on Rock Lodge Road returned home and the Sydney man attempted to break into the house. Police were called and they found him by the roadside.

Police charged the man with trespass and malicious damage. He was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for June 2.

Crash near Yass

A 17-year-old Murrumbateman female drove into a tree on Yass River Road at about 1pm on April 27. She had a 17-year-old passenger in the Toyota Tarago with her. The pair suffered soreness to their shoulders and necks and police are making further inquiries.
Hefty fine for drink driver

A 25-year-old man from Sydney was caught speeding and under the influence of alcohol on the Hume Highway near Wargeila Road.

Police spotted the man travelling at 170km/h in a maroon Nissan Pulsar and immediately pulled him over.

He was arrested and taken to Yass Police Station where he registered a blood alcohol level of 0.158. He was charged with high-range drink driving and will appear at Yass Local Court on June 6. In relation to his speeding he was given a $2252 fine.

His licence was also suspended on the spot.

Bicycle rider dies after fall near Goulburn

A report is being prepared for the Coroner after a bicycle rider fell over a guard rail and died near Goulburn yesterday.

The 61-year-old Engadine man was with a group of students in an annual bike ride from Canberra to Wollongong when the crash happened.

At 8am yesterday (Saturday 2 May 2015) the group set out from Dickson, Australian Capital Territory. They stopped at Gunning for lunch and began riding again at1pm along the Hume Highway toward Goulburn.

At 2.35pm they were near Cullerin Road, Breadalbane, riding up a slight incline, when the man fell over a guard rail.

A registered nurse, from the support vehicle following the group, assisted the man and began CPR until an ambulance arrived.

He was taken to Goulburn Base Hospital where he died.

A report is being prepared for the Coroner.

Investigation into reported sexual assault concludes – Albury

An investigation into the reported sexual assault of a teenage girl in Albury earlier this week has concluded.

Police were told the 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted after being confronted by three men while walking across the Dean Street footbridge about 6.30pm on Tuesday (28 April 2015).

Detectives from Albury Local Area Command have conducted extensive inquiries since the reported incident, including forensic testing, and have spoken to a number of people.

The investigation has now finalised.

Police are no longer seeking three men and no further action is anticipated.

Hunter hoons hit roadblocks

Police have delivered another blow to illegal street-racing in the Hunter Valley by blocking off all known “hoon” hot spots in Newcastle.

Officers from the Newcastle City Local Area Command and the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command are conducting a joint crackdown against dangerous driving behaviour, such as street-racing and ‘burn outs,’ in the region.

As part of the blitz, named Operation Hammer, police last night joined Roads and Maritime Services and the Port of Newcastle in an unprecedented lock down of Kooragang Island, the Steel River Industrial Estate, Wharf Road at Nobbies Beach and a number of beach side car parks.

Newcastle City Local Area Commander, John Gralton, has delivered a clear message to the scores of “hoons” who converge on Newcastle on a regular basis.

“We will continue to deploy police to block access to the known street-racing strips and ‘burn out’ locations until these drivers realise they are not welcome here,” Superintendent Gralton warned.

“If we catch them breaking the law, they risk not only a substantial fine and possibly a criminal driving record, but potential de-registration of the vehicle.” He added.

“Many of these drivers are young so we are also looking for a helping hand from their parents who might be able to talk some common sense into them.
“We plan to let them know just what their children are up to, often in the family car.

“We are not targeting law-abiding car enthusiasts or those who want to showcase their pride and joys,” Superintendent Gralton added, “We’re targeting law breakers, those who engage in illegal and dangerous driving that could end up hurting themselves or others.”

Arrests made as police target drug and firearm syndicate in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command have charged a number of men following investigations into illegal firearm and drug activity in the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Port Stephens areas.

Strike Force Barsdell commenced in January, and culminated in the arrest of five men for offences ranging from firearm possession and supply, to supply a commercial quantity of prohibited drugs.

A total of five search warrants were executed, commencing on 16 January, 2015 where a search of a North Belmont premises allegedly uncovered a firearm and a quantity of drugs.

A 33-year-old man was arrested and charged with possess firearm and drug possession. He will appear in Belmont Local Court in 6 May 2015.

Another warrant was executed on Monday 27 April, 2015 at a Boolaroo premises, where police allegedly located cash, a vehicle, and a quantity of amphetamine.

A 30-year-old man was arrested and charged with ongoing supply of firearms and ongoing supply of prohibited drug. He was refused bail and will appear at Belmont Local Court on 10 June, 2015.

A third warrant was executed on 27 April, 2015, at a premises in Broadmeadow. Police allegedly located a quantity of amphetamine, ammunition and other property. A-24-year-old man was arrested and charged with supply firearm, possess firearm, possess ammunition, custody of a knife, and drive while suspended.

He was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court on 6 May, 2015.

The fourth and fifth warrants were executed on Tuesday 28 April, 2015, at a residential and a business premises in Hamilton. At these locations police seized a quantity of cannabis, cash and a Taser. A 71-year-old man was arrested and charged with supply commercial quantity of drug and supply indictable quantity of drug.

The man was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court on 6 May, 2015.

On Wednesday 29 April, 2015 investigators also searched a property at Salt Ash and seized a further two firearms linked to this investigation.

Lake Macquarie Commander, Superintendent Brett Greentree, said local police officers were committed to reducing drug supply in the area.

“We are extremely pleased with this result. Arresting and charging those who engage in the supply of illicit drugs and firearms is a primary priority for our local area command and our investigations into these criminal enterprises will continue,” Supt Greentree said.

“In total, we seized 195 grams of amphetamine, 10kg of cannabis, over $250,000 in cash, seven firearms and a Taser. This is a very pleasing result.”

Police arrest three men during operation targeting break-and-enter offences – Stockton

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command have conducted a targeted operation following a recent increase in break-and-enter offences in the Stockton area.

The operation was carried out overnight (Tuesday 28 April to Wednesday 29 April 2015) by officers from the Waratah Special Operations Group.

About 1.30am (Wednesday 29 April 2015), officers deployed as part of the operation saw a man hiding behind a car in the front yard of a house in Maitland Street, Stockton.

During a search of the man, police seized housebreaking implements.

The 28-year-old man was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged with:

– Dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception (four counts);
– Possess housebreaking implements;
– Deal with property suspected proceeds of crime; and
– Being carried in a conveyance without consent.

The man appeared in Newcastle Local Court this morning, where he was remanded in custody to appear in the same court on 4 May 2015.

It will be alleged the man broke into a home on William Street, Stockton, some time between 9.30pm on 26 April 2015 and 6.30am the following day.

Police will further allege the man stole a car from the premises, and used a stolen credit card to obtain goods and cash at Newcastle West and Kotara.

Later this morning, a 21-year-old man presented at Waratah Police Station.

He was also charged in relation to the incident at William Street, Stockton.

This man was refused bail, and is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 30 April 2015) to answer four counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception.

A third man, aged 31, was arrested as part of this targeted operation. He appeared in Newcastle Local Court today charged in relation to an outstanding warrant.

Teen charged following aggravated attempted robbery – Cardiff

A teenager has been charged following an aggravated attempted armed robbery of a convenience store in Cardiff on the weekend.

Just after midnight on Sunday 26 April 2015, a male armed with a knife entered a convenience store on the corner of Gertrude and Helen Streets.

It will be alleged the male threatened a staff member, when the employee suffered a deep cut to his hand.

The armed male fled the scene empty handed. The staff member was treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.

Police were called and commenced investigating the incident.

Following inquiries, yesterday (Tuesday 28 April 2015), officers attached to the Lake Macquarie Special Operations Group attended a home on Mary Street, Cardiff, where a 16-year-old boy was arrested.

A number of items were seized from the home for forensic examination, including an electronic device and clothing.

The teenager was taken to Charlestown Police Station, where he was charged with aggravated robbery and an unrelated outstanding warrant.

He has been refused bail, to appear at court today (Wednesday 29 April 2015).

Police investigate after 71-year-old woman robbed – Tamworth

An investigation is underway after a 71-year-old woman was robbed while walking in west Tamworth yesterday.

About 3.45pm (Tuesday 28 April 2015), the woman was walking in a westerly direction on a footpath along Robert Street when two males riding bicycles approached her from behind.

Police have been told as one of the men rode past the woman, he grabbed her handbag, before both males rode from the scene.

Several witnesses and the woman gave chase; however the men could not be found. The woman’s bag was recovered nearby; with cash, personal cards and documents missing.

The woman was not injured during the incident.

Officers attached to Oxley Local Area Command were contacted and commenced investigating the incident.

As they continue their inquiries, police would like to speak to two males who may be able to assist them.

The males can only be described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance.

Police are also urging any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward and contact Tamworth Police via Crime Stoppers.

Police investigate after teenager sexually assaulted – Albury

Police are appealing for information as they investigate the sexual assault of a teenage girl in Albury last night.

Police have been told about 6.20pm (Tuesday 28 April 2015), a 17-year-old girl was walking across Dean Street Footbridge when three males unknown to her began following her.

Two of the males allegedly took hold of the girl and took her into a nearby bush, when one of the males produced a knife and threatened her, before sexually assaulting her.

The males fled the scene along Dean Street and the teenager contacted police. Ambulance Paramedics assessed her at the scene and she was taken to hospital.

Officers attached to Albury Local Area Command attended and have established a crime scene.

As they continue their investigations, police would like to speak to anyone who witnesses suspicious activity in the area at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to come forward and contact Albury Police via Crime Stoppers.

Man charged with assault police, drug possession, other offences – Hamilton South

A man is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court today charged with assaulting police, possession of a prohibited drug, and other offences.

Police attached to the Waratah Special Operations Group were patrolling on Darling Street, Hamilton South, about 11.50pm yesterday (Monday 27 April 2015).

Officers stopped and questioned a man who was riding a bicycle while not wearing a helmet.

Police will allege they could smell cannabis on the man, and when asked about it, he handed over a quantity of the drug.

The man also provided his particulars. While police were conducting checks, he allegedly rode off on the bicycle.

Officers pursued the man on foot, catching up with him in a nearby car park.

While police were arresting the man, he allegedly kicked and lashed out at officers.

During a subsequent search of the man, police seized an additional amount of cannabis; breaking implements; and items allegedly stolen from a motor vehicle at Cooks Hill on 21 April 2015.

Police took the 28-year-old man to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with assault police; resist police; possess prohibited drug; possess breaking implements; and outstanding warrants.

He was refused bail, and is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 28 April 2015).