Man arrested after brandishing firearm at service station – Lake Macquarie

A man will face court today after brandishing a firearm during a shoplifting offence near Lake Macquarie.

Around 11.30pm last night (Monday 21 December 2015), police were contacted after a man threatened staff at a service station on Freemans Drive at Freemans Waterhole. The man had allegedly pointed a firearm at staff members after they confronted him over alleged shop-lifting offences. He left the location in a white Holden ute a short time later.

Police attended the service station and spoke to staff, before conducting a search for the man.

A short time later, police found a white utility parked in bushland near the M1 Motorway. Upon seeing police approach, a man ran from the ute into the bush. He was arrested a short time later.

Police searched the bushland and found a replica firearm nearby.

The man, aged 33, was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with a number of offences, including:

– Armed with intent to commit indictable offence;

– Assault;

– Four counts of stalk/intimidate;

– Numerous firearm-related offences; and,
– Numerous driving offences.

Bail refused, he is due before Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 22 December 2015).

Man charged with murder – Tamworth

Detectives have charged a man following investigations into the disappearance of a woman in Tamworth earlier this year.

Strike Force Chiltern, comprising detectives from Oxley Local Area Command, was established to investigate the disappearance Johann Morgan, who was reported missing to police Sunday 16 August 2015.

Investigations led police to arrest a 45-year-old man at Dubbo yesterday (Monday 21 December 2015).

Detectives attended a home on Yulong Street shortly before 7.30pm where they arrested the man and conveyed him to Dubbo Police Station where he was interviewed.

He was then charged with murder.

He was refused bail and will appear in Dubbo Local Court today (Tuesday 22 December 2015).

Inquiries continue.

Man charged after armed robberies – Newcastle City LAC

A man has been charged and will face court following an investigation into a number of armed robberies in Newcastle City Local Area Command this year.

About 4.15pm on Friday 18 December 2015, a 35-year-old man was arrested in Kotara, after information was received from the public.

Detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Kent Street, Hamilton, and located and allegedly seized a shortened firearm, ammunition, and clothing items.

The man was taken to Newcastle police station and charged with robbery whilst armed with dangerous weapon (x3), shorten firearm (not pistol) unless authorised by permit and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.

The charges relate to the following alleged armed robberies:

– A post office in Broadmeadow on 1 October 2015,

– A pizza shop on Steel Street, Newcastle on 18 November 2015, and

– A post office in Adamstown on 15 December 2015.

The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 21 December 2015).

Man charged over firearm, goods in custody offences following siege – Carrington

A man has been charged over a number of alleged offences, including possess prohibited firearm and goods in custody, following a siege in Carrington early this morning.

Just after 6am (Sunday 20 December 2015), officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command were called to Young Street, following reports of a man allegedly armed with a firearm in a unit.

Two women were in the unit with the man at the time of the incident, with one leaving shortly after police arrived at the scene.

Local police, with the assistance of NSW Police Negotiators and officers from the State Protection Support Unit, spoke to the man, and about 10am, he surrendered to police.

No one was injured during the incident.

Police searched the property, where they allegedly located a shortened firearm, tablets and a crystal substance believed to be illicit drugs, and a bicycle believed to have been stolen.

All items have been seized for forensic examination.

The 23-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with possess shortened firearm, possess ammunition, not keep firearm safe, and goods in custody.

He was refused bail, to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Monday 21 December 2015).

Investigations continue.

Woman located deceased – Rathmines

Police have located the body of a woman who went missing from Rathmines yesterday.

The 69-year-old woman was reported missing at 9pm (Friday 18 December 2015), after missing several appointments.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command commenced searches of the area.

Just after 4pm today (Saturday 19 December 2015), the woman was located deceased in bushland in Rathmines.

Initial inquiries have led police to believe her death is not suspicious.

Police thank the public and media for their assistance.

Police execute search warrant and locate drugs – Lake Macquarie

Police have charged a man with several drug matters after executing a search warrant at a home at Eleebana yesterday.

About 10.35am on Friday 18 December 2015 police from the Lake Macquarie Special Operation Group executed a search warrant at a home in Dwyer Chase.

Officers commenced a search of the garage area of the premises where they will allege that they located cannabis leaf, cannabis seeds, LSD, white powder and a white crystal substance.

Investigators also located a quantity of cash inside a safe with all items seized for further forensic analysis.

In two other rooms police seized a quantity of cannabis leaf and cannabis seeds.

In the garden officers located and seized 23 cannabis plants growing in individual plant-pots.

A 21-year-old man was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station where he was later charged with possess prohibited drug x 2, deem supply prohibited drug and deal in proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today.

Inquiries into the matter continue with further arrests and charges expected.

Police investigate fatal crash – Wallsend

Police are investigating following a fatal crash at Wallsend overnight.

Just after 9pm (Wednesday 16 December 2015), emergency services were called to Thomas Street, at the intersection of Brooks Street, following reports of a crash.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and found a white Daewoo hatchback on its roof after it crashed into two other vehicles.

The 31-year-old male driver of the Daewoo died at the scene.

The female drivers of the two other vehicles – a silver Subaru Impreza and a black Kia Rio – suffered minor injuries and shock and were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics.

Both drivers were breath tested at the scene with a negative result.

Initial investigations suggest the Daewoo ran a red light before crashing into the other vehicles.

A crime scene was established and has been examined by specialist officers.

The intersection was closed for a short time but is now open in all directions.

Investigators are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to contact Newcastle City Police on (02) 4926 6599 or Crime Stoppers.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to these incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Public Information and Inquiry Centre open to support severe weather response

The Public Information and Inquiry Centre has been activated to support the current severe weather response in NSW.

It is currently open and members of the public can contact the Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) on 1800 227 228, regarding information on the flood and storm operation across the NSW area.

Additional information in relation to the flood and severe weather warnings can be viewed on www.emergency.nsw.gov.au

It should be noted that this inquiry hotline does not replace any emergency hotlines.

For emergency flood calls please call the State Emergency Service on 132 500.

PIIC

1800 227 228

Police are also encouraging people in storm-affected areas to leave work early today to avoid possible traffic and transport delays.

More storms are expected this afternoon and into this evening.

Weather updates – Bureau of Meteorology

Check www.bom.gov.au/nsw

Storm response and safety information – NSW SES

www.ses.nsw.gov.au

Traffic information – Live Traffic NSW

www.livetraffic.com

Public Transport – http://www.transportnsw.info/

Armed robbery appeal – Adamstown, near Newcastle

Police are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery in Adamstown yesterday.

Just before 3.30pm (Tuesday 15 December 2015), a man entered a post office on Brunker Road and threatened two employees with what appeared to be a firearm.

He forced himself behind a security counter and demanded cash.

The man grabbed a till containing cash before he fled the scene, and was last seen running through the grounds of a nearby church.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene.

Police would like to speak with a man who may be able to assist them with inquiries.

He is described as being aged about 25 to 35-years-old with a stocky build.

He was last seen wearing a long-sleeved light-coloured business shirt, long trousers and a “Panama” style hat with a light-coloured face covering.

Detectives from Newcastle City Local Area Command are investigating the incident and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Police release CCTV following attempted newsagency robbery – Central Hunter

Police are releasing CCTV footage following investigations into an attempted armed robbery at a newsagency in Thornton last month.

About 4pm on Tuesday 17 November an employee was working behind the counter of a newsagency on Railway Avenue when a man entered the store armed with a knife.

Upon seeing the weapon the 57-year-old employee grabbed a baseball bat that was behind the counter and challenged the armed man.

The man holding the knife ran from the store empty handed and was seen getting into a silver dual or single cab utility that was parked nearby.

The man has been described as Caucasian in appearance and wearing a navy hoodie and beige shorts with silver and black sneakers and a white bandanna.

Anyone with information about this attempted robbery is asked to call Maitland Detectives or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.