Police investigate man's movements prior to death – Hunter River

Police are appealing for public assistance as they investigate a man’s movements one week prior to his body being found in the Hunter River last month.

Just after 5.30pm on Friday 28 August 2015, Craig Elkin, 43, was located deceased in the Hunter River at Morpeth by a member of the public.

Officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command were called and established a crime scene.

Investigations into Mr Elkin’s death have indicated that his death was not suspicious.

However; detectives continue their inquiries into Mr Elkin’s movements between Sunday 23 August and Friday 28 August 2015, the time between when he was last seen and when his body was located.

Mr Elkin was last seen about 2am on Sunday 23 August, leaving an address on Glenarvon Road, Lorn. He was wearing dark-blue tracksuit pants, a green t-shirt, a navy jumper and black/red ‘Asics’ running shoes.

Police are appealing for anyone with information that may assist with their investigation to contact Crime Stoppers.

A report is being prepared for the Coroner.

A cow has damaged eight vehicles at Douglas Park

Eight vehicles were damaged on the Hume Highway on Thursday evening when a cow ventured out into traffic.

The cow was grazing on the side of the road before it stepped out into traffic at 8pm where it was hit by a prime mover at 100km/h.

It was thrown under the truck and tumbled into other vehicles.

One car hit the cow and swerved off the road where it hit trees on the side of the road.

A further five cars and another prime mover hit the cow, which caused varying levels of damage.

The cow died at the scene and there was some disruption to traffic as a number of cars and one of the prime movers needed to be towed away.

No brandings or marks could be found on the cow to identify its owner.

Inspector Shawn Baker from Camden Police said wildlife on local roads had been a problem for a long, long time.

“When you’re driving on semirural roads you need to watch out for wildlife,” he said.

“People need to be aware.”

Man arrested over discharging firearm and other offences -Lake Macquarie

A man will appear in court today facing a number of firearm related charges after he allegedly discharged a rifle during a dispute at Blacksmiths, near Lake Macquarie overnight.

Police will allege a 24-year-old man allegedly armed with a loaded rifle, drove to a premises on Boikon Street where he confronted a 21-year-old man.

The two men became involved in a scuffle and a round was fired from the weapon. The 21-year-old man managed to overpower the older man, and secured the firearm.

The older man ran from the premises and allegedly drove to Caves’ Beach where he was arrested in his vehicle by police.

He was subjected to a roadside breath test which provided a positive reading. He was arrested and taken to Charlestown Police Station where he is expected to be charged with a number of firearm related offences as well as drink driving and an outstanding warrant.

He will be appearing in Newcastle Local Court later today. (Tuesday 15 September 2015).

No one was hurt during this incident.

The man was taken to Charlestown Police Station where he was charged with 11 offences:

– possess loaded firearm in public place;

– possess unauthorised firearm;

– possess unregistered firearm;

– possess ammunition without holding licence/permit;

– carry firearm manner likely injure person/property;

– enter building/land with firearm;

– handle/use firearm under the influence of alcohol;

– armed with intent to commit indictable offence;

– drive motor vehicle while licence suspended;

– drive with mid-range PCA; and

– an outstanding warrant.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today. (Tuesday 15 September 2015).

No one was hurt during this incident.

Elderly woman assaulted during break-in – Mayfield West

An elderly woman has been injured during an aggravated break and enter in Newcastle on the weekend.

About 4.15am (Sunday 13 September 2015), the 81-year-old woman was asleep in her home on Gordon Street, Mayfield West, when she was awoken by noise in her home.

She went to investigate the noise and confronted a male intruder.

The man pushed the woman to the floor before he fled the scene.

The woman sustained minor injuries to her forehead and left knee and was taken to The Mater Hospital for observation.

The woman was unable to provide police with a description of the offender, apart from the fact he was male.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

PolAir guide police to alleged drug-rider who is disqualified until 2026 – Wagga Wagga

PolAir have led police to a disqualified motorcycle rider who was allegedly drug-driving and rode off from Highway Patrol in state’s south yesterday.

About 4.50pm (Saturday 12 September 2015), officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were patrolling Red Hill Road, Wagga Wagga, when they noticed a Kawasaki trail bike on the pedestrian/bicycle path.

Police attempted to stop the bike, but the rider conducted a u-turn and drove off.

Officers from Wagga Wagga Local Area Command on the ground were advised PolAir was overhead and following the Kawasaki.

PolAir guided officers to Dalman Parkway, Glenfield Park, and the 22-year-old male rider was arrested without incident.

A subsequent check of the rider’s licence revealed it is disqualified until 2026, and the Kawasaki was unregistered and uninsured.

He was subjected to a breath test and returned a negative reading, and then subjected to a random drug test and allegedly returned a positive reading.

Following further testing, he allegedly returned a positive reading for methamphetamines and cannabis. Samples of the positive readings have been sent for further examinations, and inquiries are continuing.

During a subsequent search of the man, officers allegedly located and seized a substance, believed to be crystal methylamphetamine (‘ICE’).

The man was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with two counts of not-stop police pursuit (Skye’s Law), drive while disqualified, drive unregistered vehicle, drive uninsured vehicle and possess prohibited drug.

He has been refused bail and is due to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court later today (Sunday 13 September 2015).

Double fatal – Wallabadah (near Tamworth)

Police are investigating after two people died following a crash in the state’s north-west.

About 3.30pm (Saturday 12 September 2015), a white Toyota and a red Subaru collided on the New England Highway near Wallabadah, south of Tamworth.

The Subaru was forced off the highway and down a small gully, and the Toyota rolled on the highway.

The male driver of the Subaru and his female passenger died at the scene. They have yet to be formally indentified but are both believed to be aged in their 60s.

The 69-year-old male driver of the Toyota and the 67-year-old female passenger were treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics before being taken to Tamworth Base Hospital for treatment to suspected minor injuries.

Police from Oxley Local Area Command attended the scene and an investigation was commenced.

The New England Highway was closed in both directions for six hours as Northern Tablelands Crash Investigation Unit conducted their inquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, and has not yet spoken with police, is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Police investigate reports of firearms stolen near Goulburn

Police are appealing for information after reports that a number of firearms were stolen from a home in Mullion, about 123km south west of Goulburn.

Officers attached to The Hume Local Area Command were contacted yesterday (Friday 11 September 2015), following reports firearms and car keys were stolen from a property on Mountain Creek Road.

It’s believed the items were taken between Wednesday 9 September 2015 and Friday 11 September 2015, after the property was broken into.

The items reported stolen include:

– 3 x .22 calibre rifle,

– 1 x .22 long rifle

– 1 x calibre 177 rifle

– 1 x double barrel shotgun

– 1 x single barrel shotgun,

– Ammunition, and

– Car keys.

No one was at the premises at the time of the incident.

As investigations into the incident continue, police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.

Three arrested as police continue to dismantle drug network – SF Rupas, Newcastle City LAC

Three men have been arrested following an ongoing police operation targeting an alleged drug supply syndicate in the Newcastle area.

Strike Force Rupas, comprising of detectives from Newcastle City, Central Hunter and Lake Macquarie, was formed to investigate the supply of illicit drugs.

Following ongoing investigations, yesterday (Friday 11 September 2015) officers from Strike Force Rupas arrested three men and executed three search warrants at Cameron Park, Speers Point and Cardiff.

At these locations, officers seized 19 firearms; consisting of high powered rifles, shortened firearms, a handgun and ammunition, as well as 4700 ecstasy pills, approx 40 grams of methyl-amphetamine and a clandestine lab.

Just after 10am a 25-year-old Speers Point man was arrested in Glendale. A short time later, a 33-year-old Cameron Park man was arrested in Rutherford, and in the afternoon a 46 old male from Cardiff was arrested at his address.

The 25-year-old man was charged with supplying a prohibited drug (x5), attempt to acquire prohibited pistol and direct criminal syndicate. He was refused bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Court Local Court today (Saturday 12 September 2015).

The 33-year-old man was charged with supply greater than commercial quantity of amphetamine, supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis and direct criminal syndicate. He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Saturday 12 September 2015).

The 46-year-old man was charged with 13 firearms offences. He has been bailed refused to attend Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 12 September 2015).

Their arrests follow the arrest and charge of eleven men by officers attached to Strike Force Rupas over the previous months.

Investigations are continuing concerning a clandestine laboratory located at the Cardiff premises. All items will undergo forensic examinations.

Newcastle City Investigation Coordinator, Detective Inspector Peter Mahon, said that these arrests follow extensive investigations into the supply of drugs and possession of firearms in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland areas.

“Yesterday’s results; including the arrest of the three men, the discovery of a clandestine laboratory, and the seizure of the drugs and firearms, come as a result of extensive investigations by officers from Strike Force Rupas.

“These arrests and seizures are a significant step in stopping the supply of illicit drugs and unauthorised possession of firearms in Newcastle and surrounding areas.

“Our officers will continue to investigate those who take part in the supply of drugs and more arrests will follow,” Det Insp Mahon said.

Tamworth woman charged with solicit to murder and drug charges – Strike Force Mulholland

A woman and man have been arrested following on-going investigations into an alleged drug supply ring in Tamworth yesterday.

Strike Force Mulholland, comprising officers from Oxley Local Area Command, was formed in June 2015 to investigate offences involving unregistered firearms and the supply of illicit drugs in the Tamworth area.

About 11.25am (Thursday 10 September 2015), officers attached to Strike Force Mulholland attended a home in Maxwell Street and arrested a 44-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man.

Detectives will allege the woman and the man conspired together to have the victim of an armed robbery murdered to avoid the matter going to court.

The man and woman were taken to Tamworth Police Station.

Following investigations, the 44-year-old woman was charged with solicit to murder, supply prohibited drug – indictable quantity, deal with proceeds of crime (money) and conduct drug premises.

The 25-year-old man was charged with conspiracy to pervert the cause of justice and conspiracy to interfere with witness.

Both were refused bail to appear before Tamworth Local Court today (Friday 11 September 2015).

Strike Force Mulholland investigations are continuing and further arrests are expected.

Man charged over bagsnatch – Jesmond

A man will face court today charged over an alleged bagsnatch at Jesmond, in Newcastle, overnight.

About 8pm (Thursday 10 September 2015), a 29-year-old woman was walking along Blue Gum Road, when a man ran up behind her and took her bag.

She was not hurt in the incident.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended a short time later and were assisted by the Dog Unit in searching for the person involved.

An 18-year-old man was arrested nearby and the woman’s handbag was recovered from stormwater drains in Mayo Street.

The man was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with steal from person.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 11 September 2015).