Crews Tackle Early Morning Bush Fire At Mallabula

 BY IAN CROUCH

Quick work by Rural Fire Service crews has stopped a bush fire from reaching homes at Mallabula early Wednesday.

Crews from Medowie, Tlligerry and Williamtown/Salt Ash were called to Fairlands Road at about 4.30am to find an area of bush at the Tilligerry Board Walk on fire.

They took about an hour to bring the blaze under control, with flame heights reaching 3 metres before it was finally extinguished at daybreak.

The fire burnt through about half a hectare.

Meanwhile firefighters have extinguished three grass fires which broke out off Settlers Boulevard at Chisholm at about 4.30pm on Tuesday.

Newcastle Fire Command says no properties were under threat.

The fire burnt through about a hectare before it was put out just before 6.00pm.

Crews from Medowie, Tilligery, and Willamtown/Salt Ash tackled the blaze at Mallabula. Picture: Medowie RFS

Man Arrested After Police Pursuit Through Maitland

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face Newcastle Local Court after a high speed pursuit through parts of Maitland overnight.

Patrolling officers tried to stop a blue Hyundai Santa Fe on Raymond Terrace Road at Chisholm  at about 11.00pm on Sudney, but the driver sped off, leading police on a chase through several suburban streets.

The driver eventually stopped in the driveway of a home on Waterbrush Crescent at Woodberry and ran off but was arrested a short distance away.

The 54-year-old from Telarah has been charged with 5 offences including police pursuit, drive while disqualified, possession of a prohibited drug, exceed speed and a warrant offence and has been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 25 May 2020).

Police Investigate Another Drive-By Shooting At Chisholm

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating yet another apparent drive-by shooting at Chisholm.

Officers were called to a house in Duskdarter Street at about 1.00am this morning after residents reported hearing gunshots.

They arrived to find bullet holes in the front of the house as well as in a vehicle parked in the street outside.

A crime scene has been established and a canvass of the neighbourhood has been conducted.

A number of items have been seized for forensic examination.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information to contact Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

It follows three drive-by shootings in the Maitland area in the past month, all linked to bikie gangs.

Finks Bikie Arrested in Maitland

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A high-ranking member of the Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang will face court today after being arrested following a vehicle stop in Maitland on Monday.

Around 7:40 Monday morning, police from Strike Force Raptor stopped a vehicle in Chisholm when a 32-year-old male passenger became aggressive and made threats.

He then resisted arrest and fled the scene, before being apprehended at Maitland Police Station yesterday.

He was charged with a number of offences, including resist arrest, assault police, intimidate police and offensive language before being refused bail to face Maitland Local Court today.