BY JARROD MELMETH
Police have charged four tree loppers for returning to the region and canvassing homes in the Lake Macquarie area for work.
Last Wednesday, police received reports about the group of arborists who told them they had been working in the region throughout the week and returning to Greater Sydney on the weekends, including to local government areas of concern.
Seven men were issued with Penalty Infringement Notices totalling $33,000 and directed to return home.
On Thursday, police received another call about a group of six arborists door knocking homes in Cardiff.
The men who had already been issued with PINs for breaching the Public Health Orders were from Kingswood, Leumeah, Colyton and Whalan and were allegedly operating under a different business name and removed all company identification from their vehicles.
Officers spoke to the group before four of the men were arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station.
The four men were issued with Court Attendance Notices for not complying with the direction to return home and not providing accurate information to Service NSW.
They are due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 2 November 2021.
A fifth man – a 33-year-old from Ropes Crossing – was issued with PINs totalling $6000 for breaching the Public Health Order and providing inaccurate information in his permit application.
Investigations remain ongoing into the sixth man.
