Police Appeal For Two Anonymous Witnesses To Come Forward In Gordana Kotevski Case.

 BY IAN CROUCH

Strike force investigators believe two anonymous callers from three decades ago could have vital information about one of the Hunter's most baffling cold cases.

Gordana Kotevski was 16-years-old when she was last seen being bundled into a vehicle on Powell Street at Charlestown about 9.00pm on Thursday November 24, 1994.

She was walking to her aunt's house after shopping at Charlestown Square.

A 2003 inquest concluded she was deceased and her death was the result of foul play.

Investigators from Strike Force Bambil are now calling for two anonymous witnesses, both males, to come forward.

One had phoned Newcastle Police Station at about 6.50pm on December 5 1994 to provide "specific information about a person's involvement in the matter".

Two years later, on September 18 1996, a man contacted radio station KOFM in Newcastle and spoke to a presenter, providing similar specific information.

Police say both calls were anonymous and detectives are urging the callers to come forward and speak with investigators about the information they hold. 

It comes nearly four years after the state government increased the reward for information about the suspected murder to $1 million in 2022.

The men, or anyone else with information are being urged to call Belmont detectives on 4922 8774 or get in contact via email at SFBambil@police.nsw.gov.au.

   

Gordana Kotevski

Almost $3 Million Seized in Port Stephens Drug Bust

BY LIAM COLLINS

A police raid in Port Stephens yesterday (Thursday 25 June 2026) saw the seizure of almost 64 kilograms of alleged prohibited and restricted drugs.

Port Stephens' Strike Force Korpisalo, assisted by Raptor Squad police, arrested two men in Salamander Bay around 12.00 pm after extensive inquiries.

Officers executed crime scene warrants at addresses in Salamander Bay and Boat Harbour, allegedly finding 50 kilograms of pseudoephedrine, 12.5 kilograms of methylamphetamine, 1 kilogram of cocaine, $15,000 in cash, 50 items believed to be used in drug manufacturing, and electronic devices.

Police say the drugs have an estimated street value of $2.66 million dollars.

A Salamander Bay vehicle was also searched after the arrest of the two men - police allegedly finding chemical containers and liquids used in the operation.

The two men, aged 34 and 24, were taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

The 34-year-old was charged with manufacturing prohibited drugs in a greater than large commercial quantity and dealing with property proceeds of crime greater than $100000.

The 24-year-old was charged with taking part in manufacturing prohibited drugs in a greater than large commercial quantity.

The two men were refused bail and are set to appear at Bail Division Local Court 2 today.

Samples of drugs allegedly seized by police in Port Stephens Picture: NSW Police

Muswellbrook Siege Ends After 16 Hour Standoff

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 16-hour siege at Muswellbrook has ended with a man being arrested and taken to hospital.

Just after 2.00pm yesterday (Thursday 25 June, 2026), Hunter Valley Police went to a home in Parkinson Avenue to execute an arrest warrant and attempted to speak to a 58-year-old man at the address.

However, the man refused to leave the home and allegedly threatened the officers.

Police set up a perimeter and a siege situation developed.

Just before 6.00am today (Friday 26 June 2026), police say several tactics were used in an effort to arrest the man, including the use of beanbag rounds.

The man was assessed by paramedics before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital for further assessment.

Inquiries into the incident are continuing.

 

Man Faces Court Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Young Girl At Woodberry

 BY IAN CROUCH

Specialist police have arrested a man in Sydney's west accused of sexually assaulting a young girl at Woodberry.

Earlier this month, police began an investigation following a report of an alleged sexual assault of a child by a man known to her between 2022 and 2024.

Following inquiries, officers from the Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team stopped a 53-year-old man driving a heavy vehicle at Huntingwood yesterday (Thursday 25 June 2026).

He's been charged with sexual intercourse with a child under 10, driving while disqualified and breach of bail and has been refused bail to face Blacktown Local Court today.

The man is one of 17 people charged across the North West Metropolitan police region as part of Operation Surge targeting wanted offenders with a history of domestic violence.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley said domestic violence was a serious crime, and alleged perpetrators should know police were coming.

"This operation was about targeting the worst offenders - those wanted on warrants, breaching orders, ignoring bail and putting victims at risk," she said.

Yasmin Catley said the government will continue to support the efforts of police in bringing alleged perpetrators to justice.

"There is no excuse, no hiding place and no tolerance for this violence. We will keep backing NSW Police to track offenders down, put them before the courts and protect victim-survivors," she said.

 

CCTV Footage Released Of Clarence Town Armed Robbers

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Police are appealing for information after a man suffered serious head injuries during an armed robbery at a Clarence Town pub. 

About 6am on Thursday June 4, emergency services were called to the Erringhi Hotel on Grey Street, where a 52-year-old man had ben assaulted by two men armed with a baseball bat and a firearm. 

The two me left the scene in the man's vehicle with stolen cash, which was later found abandoned on the nearby Rifle Street and is currently undergoing forensic examination. 

The 52-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition. 

A crime scene was established and an investigation was commenced by Port Stephens-Hunter Police District detectives. 

Detective Inspector Ranald Urquhart said it came as a shock to the community. 

"It's not the sort of thing that anyone expects to happen in Clarence Town," he said. 

He was unable to provide any further details on the investigation at the time. 

As the investigation continues, detectives have now released CCTV footage of two men who might be able to assist detectives with their inquiries. 

The first man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 190cm tall, of skinny build with an Australian accent. 

He was last seen wearing blue trackpants, a dark coloured zip-up jacket, black and yellow gloves, and a dark balaclava. 

The second man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 178cm tall, of solid build, with an Australian accent. 

He was last seen wearing dark pants, a dark coloured hoodie, black and white gloves and a dark balaclava. 

Anyone able to identify the men, or with information about the incident, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Detective Inspector Ranald Urquhart. Picture: Ian Crouch

Man Faces Court Over Alleged Guns And Drugs Bust At Rutherford

 BY IAN CROUCH

Raptor Squad police have charged a man with a dozen firearm and drug offences following a raid on a Rutherford home.

Following investigations into the unlawful possession of firearms, they executed a search warrant at the Aberglasslyn Road property last Wednesday (17 June 2026) and allegedly seized three firearms, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, 29 grams of cannabis and four grams of methylamphetamine.

A 31-year-old man was arrested at a home on Garrat Circuit, Thornton yesterday (Wednesday 24 June 2026).

He faced the bail court where he was remanded in custody to appear in Newcastle Local Court on August 26.

 

Motorcyclist Dies After Crash At Aberglasslyn

 BY IAN CROUCH

A motorcyclist has died in hospital following a crash near Maitland.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Denton Park Drive and Kerry Circuit at Aberglasslyn at about 5.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 23 June 2026).

They arrived to find a motorcycle and an SUV had collided.

The rider, a 33-year-old man, was treated by paramedics and rushed to hospital but died on arrival.

A 59-year-old woman who was driving the SUV was uninjured and taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.

As investigations into the crash continue, police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who has dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.