Critical incident – Tamworth

A critical incident investigation has been launched after the death of a man in Tamworth last night.

Police were called to a home on Armidale Road, East Tamworth just after 8.30pm (Thursday 10 December 2015), following reports of a man in distress.

On arrival, police attempted to speak to the man who was armed with a firearm; however the man sustained a gunshot wound and died at the scene.

No police firearms were discharged and no one else was injured.

A critical incident team will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.

All information will be provided to the Coroner.

No further details are available at this time.

Man charged over serious alleged domestic violence offences spanning 11 years

A man has been charged over multiple serious alleged domestic violence offences, including shooting a woman with an air rifle, injuring her with a knife, and sexually assaulting her.

The alleged offences occurred between 2004 and 2015, with the majority occurring while the couple resided in Wagga Wagga; and some allegedly occurring in Ballina this year.

The allegations were reported for the first time in September this year and officers from Richmond Local Area Command immediately commenced inquiries under Strike Force Boat.

As a result of investigations, about 11am yesterday (Thursday 10 December 2015), a search warrant was executed at an address in West Ballina, where police seized computers, tattoo guns, compound bows and other items.

About 2 pm, police arrested a 41-year-old man at a work site in Moree.

He was taken to Moree Police Station, where he was charged with shoot with intent cause grievous bodily harm, four counts of sexual intercourse without consent, three counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, and prohibition of female genitalia mutilation.

The man was refused bail, to appear before Moree Local Court today (Friday 11 December 2015).

Police investigate home invasion – Lake Macquarie

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a home invasion near Lake Macquarie this morning.

About 10am (Thursday 10 December 2015) a woman knocked on the front door of a home in Fourth Street, Seahampton, and spoke to the 70-year-old occupant.

During the conversation a man appeared from behind the woman armed with a shortened firearm.

The pair forced their way into the home and assaulted the occupant with a hammer before stealing a large amount of cash, and dried cannabis.

The occupant managed to contact emergency services who attended the home.

A crime scene was established and the man was taken to John Hunter Hospital suffering what is considered to be non-life threatening injuries.

Police believe this was a targeted attack.

Commissioner dedicates Memorial Rose Garden in honour of Beverley Moroney

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has officially dedicated a Memorial Rose Garden at the Police Academy in Goulburn this morning, in honour of Mrs Beverley Ann Moroney.

The Commissioner was joined by former NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, AO, APM, MA (Rtd), members of the Moroney family, friends, and colleagues, for the dedication in Goulburn today (Thursday 10 December 2015).

Mrs Beverley Ann Moroney, wife of former NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, passed away on Sunday 24 May 2015, aged 70, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Her unwavering support of her husband and care for their family during their various country postings, early in his policing career and later as Commissioner of Police, was always evident.

During his tenure as Police Commissioner, Mrs Moroney often travelled with her husband, where she visited many regional towns and small country police stations, always making an effort to check on the welfare of police officers’ families.

Mrs Moroney began work with a number of others to create the NSW Police Memorial Rose Garden on the grounds of the NSW Police Academy in 1987, when the former Commissioner was the Director of Training in Goulburn.

Her knowledge and passion for flowers, and roses in particular, encouraged the design of the garden, which was officially dedicated in February 1997.

Commissioner Scipione said the Memorial Rose Gardens are the perfect way to honour Mrs Moroney’s memory and her intrinsic connection to the NSW Police Force.

“Beverley Moroney was a much admired, widely respected and cherished member of the police family,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“She was known as a woman of warmth, grace and dignity, who genuinely cared for the many police families across the state.

“The Beverley Ann Moroney Memorial Rose Gardens will forever serve as a reminder of the devotion, sacrifice, and support family members offer our police, so they may continue to serve our community,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“I’m honoured to dedicate the gardens here today in recognition of Beverley’s service – her memory will live on in the grounds of the Police Academy.”

Following the dedication ceremony, Commissioner Scipione was joined by Education & Training Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, and Commander of the Aviation Support Branch, Superintendent Mark Noakes, to unveil the PolAir 1 display, at the entrance to the NSW Police Academy.

PolAir1 was the first police helicopter to operate in Australia; it was considered state-of-the-art at the time of its official launch and its use, highly innovative.

The helicopter operated as part of the Aviation Support Branch from 1979, and was officially decommissioned in 2006.

PolAir1 was a key specialist resource utilised during several policing events including the Milperra shooting in 1984, Belanglo homicide investigations in the 1990s and Sydney Olympics in 2000.

“PolAir1 represents a significant milestone for the Aviation Support Branch, being the first owned and operated NSW Police aircraft in its history,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“Since its inception, PolAir1 provided invaluable policing support through search and rescue operations, drug eradication programs and investigative support via intelligence gathering. The permanent display at the Police Academy honours this contribution.

“The Aviation Support Branch continues to be an integral part of the arsenal of tools used in the fight against crime – providing a highly visible presence designed to prevent and detect offences and allow for a safe and secure New South Wales.”

Police appeal after child approached – Uralla, near Armidale

Police are investigating a report of a child approach near Armidale yesterday.

About 3.20pm (Wednesday 9 December 2015), a 10-year-old girl was waiting on the corner of Queen and Park Street, Uralla, when she was approached by an unknown male.

Police have been told the man walked towards the girl, and spoke to her.

The girl backed away and the man was seen leaving in a white or silver four-door car.

Officers from New England Local Area Command were notified, and are appealing for information about a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

The man is described as being aged between 30 and 50, 175cm tall, with a slim build, wearing a grey singlet, black tracksuit pants, joggers and a blue baseball cap.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has information that may assist with the investigation, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Man wanted on warrants – Goulburn

Police are appealing for information into the whereabouts of a man wanted on several outstanding warrants.

Steven James Babic, 32, is wanted by virtue of outstanding warrants relating to break and enter offences.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170-180cm tall, a muscular build with short brown hair. He has a number of tattoos on his arms and shoulders.

He is known to frequent areas in the Australian Capital Territory and the Belconnen area.

Police warn the public that Mr Babic should not be approached.

Anyone who sees Steven James Babic or knows his current whereabouts is urged not to approach him but instead contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Mother suspended from driving for excessive speed, unrestrained children – Jugiong

Police have suspended a woman from driving for six months after she was allegedly detected exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h on the Hume Highway, Jugiong with unrestrained children in the car.

About 4.45pm (Sunday 6 December 2015), police from the Gundagai Highway Patrol were conducting stationary speed enforcement on the Hume Highway at Jugiong when they detected a silver Kia Sportage allegedly travelling at 163km/h in a 110km/h zone.

Police stopped the vehicle and spoke to the 25-year-old female driver. The officers noticed two girls, aged eight and nine, in the back seat attempting to fasten their seat belts. They also saw a boy aged seven in the front seat without a seat belt.

The woman was breath-tested and returned a negative result.

Police issued a speed infringement notice and an infringement notice for each unrestrained child.

Police continue to appeal to all road users to obey basic road rules to avoid tragic consequences.

“The alleged irresponsible actions of this driver are exactly what we continue to warn against,” Assistant Commissioner John Hartley of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said.

“This could have ended in tragic circumstances in a split second. Speeding and having children unrestrained in a vehicle is completely unacceptable. The driver should have acted as a role model to the children she was driving but instead, she put them in harm’s way,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

Commissioner to dedicate Memorial Rose Garden, unveil PolAir1 display – NSW Police Academy, Goulburn

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione will officially dedicate a Memorial Rose Garden at the Police Academy in Goulburn this week, in honour of Mrs Beverley Ann Moroney.

The Commissioner will be joined by former NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, members of the Moroney family, friends, and colleagues, for the dedication ceremony on Thursday morning (10 December 2015).

Following the dedication, Education & Training Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, and Commander of the Aviation Support Branch, Superintendent Mark Noakes, will join Commissioner Scipione to unveil the PolAir 1 display, at the entrance to the academy.

 

Police operation results in drug charges following 'Subsonic' music festival – Port Stephens Local Area Command

Police have laid charges relating to alleged drug supply, possession and dealing offences, during a local music festival in the Port Stephens Local Area Command on the weekend.

The festival, ‘Subsonic’, was held at a resort in the Monkerai Valley from Friday 4 December to Monday 7 December 2015, and hosted about 3200 people each day.

A police operation involving local police, the Dog Unit, and Traffic and Highway Patrol Commands, was implemented to help ensure the event was safe and secure.

On Saturday between 4.45pm and 7.15pm, a drug dog operation resulted in seven charges relating to possess prohibited drug, five supply prohibited drug charges, one deal in proceeds of crime charge, and four cannabis cautions.

Of note, about 5pm on Saturday, a 22-year-old man was stopped by a police dog and handler, on the grounds of the festival.

A search resulted in 15 MDMA capsules, LSD, liquid ecstasy, and cash allegedly found on the man.

He was arrested, and charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug, three counts of possess prohibited drug and one count of deal in proceeds of crime.

He was granted conditional bail, and will appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on 14 January 2016.

About 4.50pm on the same day, a 24-year-old Victorian man was stopped by a police dog and handler.

A search of the man resulted in over seven grams of MDMA, Cocaine, 45 LSD tablets, and cannabis allegedly located.

He was arrested, and charged with six counts of supply prohibited drug, and two counts of possess prohibited drug.

He was granted conditional bail, to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on 14 January 2016.

Inspector Alan Janson, Port Stephens Local Area Command Duty Officer, said police would continue to undertake operations at festivals in the area.

“The police operation at Subsonic music festival was about minimising harm and providing a safe and secure environment for music lovers to have a good time,” Inspector Janson said.

“It was disappointing that some revellers continue to break the law, and take, supply and possess illicit drugs.

“Equally disturbing was the amount of drivers allegedly detected with illicit substances in their system leaving the festival.

“On Sunday, of the first six vehicles stopped and tested by Traffic and Highway Patrol officers, five drivers were detected allegedly having illicit drugs in their system.

“While the results have been sent for further testing, those caught drug or drink driving will have to face the consequences,” he said.

Man charged after 'ICE' seized following vehicle search – Warners Bay

Police have charged a man after over ICE seized following a car search in Warners Bay.

About 12.20pm (Monday 7 December 2015), officers from Lake Macquarie Special Operations Group were patrolling Campbell Street, and stopped a black Holden Commodore.

Police spoke to the driver, searched the Holden, and allegedly locating over 15g of methyl amphetamine (ICE), cash, and drug paraphernalia.

The driver, a 47-year-old man from Warners Bay, was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.

He was charged with supply prohibited drug and deal with property suspected proceeds of crime.

The man was given conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 6 January 2016.