Search Under Way For Missing Lake Macquarie Man

 BY IAN CROUCH

The search continues for a man who's gone missing from Caves Beach.

55-year-old Peter Fekonja was last seen on Palm Tree Crescent at about 4.00am yesterday (Sunday 1 February, 2026) and the alarm was raised when he couldn't be contacted or located.

Peter's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall with a medium build and brown hair  and was last seen wearing a dark-coloured t-shirt and shorts.

He's known to frequent the Sydney area and may be travelling in a red Toyota Yaris with the NSW registration CG 23 BM.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 000333.

 

Missing man Peter Fakenja

 

Car Allegedly Stolen During Home Invasion At Caves Beach

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating a home invasion at Caves Beach.

Police have been told three people armed with a weapon forced their way into the Macquarie Grove home at about 5.00am today (Tuesday 28 October,2025) where a 43-year-old man was living.

They left in the man's white Isuzu SUV with the NSW registration FGW 89J - the man wasn't injured and police were called.

Police are investigating if two earlier incidents are linked.

The first incident happened about 4.00am when a group of males attempted to break into a service station on Freemans Drive at Coorangong - they were unable to gain entry and left empty-handed.

The second incident occurred a short time later when a group attempted to enter a premises on Barbers Road at Cooranbong. They tried to enter a vehicle but again left empty handed.

Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.   

 

BREAKING! Caves Beach Home Destroyed By Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a home at Caves Beach overnight.

Fire & Rescue and RFS crews were called to the two storey brick and tile home on The Esplanade at about 12.15am on Wednesday to find the property engulfed in flames.

Police say four adults safely evacuated the home without injury.

More than 30 firefighters took about 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control - crews from Lambton have remained at the scene mopping up hot spots.

Police say an electric charging unit is the likely cause of the blaze.

Newcastle Fire Command say the fire appears to have started in the garage and, although the exact cause is yet to be determined, it's believed the presence of a lithium ion battery in the garage may have added to the intensity of the fire.

Fire investigators will examine the scene later on Wednesday morning.   

Crews arrived to find the house engulfed in flames Picture; Swansea Fire & Rescue

 

90-Year-Old Woman Dies In Hospital Following Alleged Sexual Assault On The Central Coast

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A woman has died in hospital following an alleged sexual assault at an aged care facility on the Central Coast.

Police allege a man broke into a facility in Bateau Bay about 12:40am on Wednesday the 15th of November, 2023, where he sexually assaulted a 90-year-old woman.

The woman was taken to hospital suffering serious injuries.

34-year-old Brett Anthony Crawford was later arrested at a property in Caves Beach and remains before the courts. 

Police have since been notified the woman died in hospital this morning (Tuesday the 28th of November, 2023). 

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

UPDATE! Caves Beach Man To Undergo Mental Health Assessment Over Alleged Sexual Assault Of 90-Year-Old Woman

BY IAN CROUCH/ OLIVIA DILLON

UPDATE:

A man remains in custody and will have his mental health assessed at a forensic hospital after he allegedly broke into a nursing home at Bateau Bay and sexually assaulted a 90-year-old woman.

Overnight a 34-year-old man was arrested at a home in Caves Beach. 

He did not appear in Belmont Local Court today when the matter was mentioned, and his solicitor made no application for bail. 

The matter has been adjourned until February, where it will be heard in Gosford Local Court. 

The woman is being treated in hospital for injuries to her arms, legs and head. 

EARLIER:

A man is due to front Belmont Court accused of sexually assaulting an elderly woman on the Central Coast.

It's alleged the man broke into an aged care facility at Bateau Bay at about 12.40am on Wednesday November 15 and assaulted and sexually assaulted a 90-year-old woman, who was not known to him.

She was taken to hospital and treated for serious injuries.

Following inquiries, strike force detectives went to a home at Caves Beach at about 7.30pm on Monday and arrested a 34-year-old man after he attempted to run from arresting officers.

He was taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries to his arm.

He's now been charged with serious aggravated sexual assault and break and enter offences and refused bail pending his court appearance today (Tuesday 21 November, 2023).

Several items relevant to the investigation, including clothing were also seized from a property at The Entrance last Friday night.

Man treated by paramedics after yacht collision on Caves Beach rocks

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man's managed to escape with his life after his yacht lost power and collided with rocks at Caves Beach.

Around 7pm on Thursday night, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked by New South Wales Ambulance after reports of a yacht in distress in waters offshore.

It was reported that the sole male occupant of the vessel broadcasted a mayday call over the marine radio and called triple zero stating that the vessel had lost power and was close to shore. 

Upon arrival of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, the vessel was located 250 metres offshore from the rocks at Caves Beach. 

Due to the conditions, the vessel impacted the rocks shortly after grounding the vessel.

The sole occupant was able to abandon the vessel onto shore where police and paramedics were waiting.

The male was assessed by paramedics for minor cuts and abrasions.

Police Hunt For Caves Beach Armed Robber

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Lake Macquarie Police are appealing for information to identify a man involved in an armed robbery at Caves Beach last month.

Police say the man entered the Caves Beach Pharmacy just after 2.30pm on Tuesday October 6 and threatened staff with a bladed weapon.

He escaped with cash and medicine.

The man was wearing a dark hooded jumper and dark blue track pants and had his face covered.

He was also carrying a Coles shopping bag.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

House Badly Damaged By Fire At Caves Beach

BY IAN CROUCH

A house has been severely damaged in an overnight fire at Caves Beach.

7 fire trucks from Swansea, Belmont, Tingira Heights and Charlestown were called to the two storey brick and tin roof home on The Esplanade at about 5.30pm on Thursday to find the house well alight.

It's taken two-and-a-half hours to extinguish the blaze which damaged about two thirds of the house.

No-one was injured.

Police say it appears an electrical fault sparked the fire.

Man's Naked Body Found In Water Off Caves Beach

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are working to identify the body of a man found in the water off Caves Beach,

Emergency services were alerted to the discovery just before 4.00pm on Tuesday afternoon, with the man's naked body found about 100 metres from the shoreline.

He's described as having a medium build with short light brown hair.

Police say the body had no identifying marks or tattoos

Anyone who can assist police with their inquires is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Lake Macquarie Police Officers Honoured With Bravery Awards

BY IAN CROUCH

Two Lake Macquarie Police officers are being honoured with bravery awards today.

Senior Constables Wade Fuller and Craig Hansen rescued a father and three children after they were caught in a rip at Caves Beach in September 2016.

The pair commandeered body boards to reach the man and 1 child about 70 metres from shore, while the other two children were rescued 90 metres from the shoreline.

For their actions, Senior Constables Fuller and Hansen have been commended for brave conduct.

Bravery Commendation: Senior Constables Craig Hansen (left) and Wade Fuller. Picture: dailytelegraph.com.au