BREAKING! Gel Blaster Machine Gun Found at Bar Beach, Man Arrested Following Elermore Vale Operation

 BY JACK SEYMOUR

A man will front Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 7 February 2025) after shots were fired at a home in Newcastle last month.

At about 4:30am on Wednesday 29 January, police were called to a home on Lake Road, Elermore Vale following reports of shots being fired.

Upon arrival, officers from the Newcastle City Police District found projectiles had struck the front of a house and vehicle.

A crime scene was established and an investigation into the incident commenced by Newcastle City Detectives under Strike Force Balgo.

Following inquiries, a 43-year-old man was arrested in Newcastle at about 4:30pm yesterday (February 6 225) and taken to Newcastle Police Station.

Investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Bar Beach and seized five firearms, including two rifles, two pistols and a gel blaster machine gun, various firearm parts, ammunition and a NSW Police issued baseball cap. A silver Holden Commodore Utility was also seized with the items to be forensically examined.

The man was hit with 15 offences, including fire firearm at dwelling house with disregards for safety, possess unregistered firearm, possess ammunition without permit possess prohibited drug and wearing a police uniform when not a police officer and goods in custody.

He's been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Friday February 7 2025).

(photos from Police Multimedia) 

CORRECTION: Earlier this morning 2NURFM Hunter News reported a machine gun had been found. In fact, it was a machine gun.

Calls to Clean Up Graffiti in Newcastle CBD

BY SHY-ANN ARKINSTALL

Newcastle Councillor Jenny Barrie will raise a motion at tonight's council meeting to propose a joint effort between council and local business owners and residents to clean up the graffiti around the city.

The proposal will suggest sending letters to residents and business owners in the Hunter Mall precinct, urging them to address graffiti on their buildings and to keep the foot path clean outside their property.

Cr Barrie said the current state of the CDB reflects a lack of civic pride among its residents.

Under the proposal, property owners will be footing the bill to clean up the graffiti so owners will either have to remove it themselves or pay someone else to do it.

Council does offer free clean up of offensive graffiti within two days of reporting which can be done on the City of Newcastle website.

"It's a beautiful city and we just need to make sure that crime doesn't take over," said Cr Barrie.

Cr Barrie is urging people to report graffiti or acts of vandalism when they see them.

Newcaslte Man Charged Over Major Drug Smuggling Attempt

BY OLIVIA DILLON

 

A Newcastle man is one of five people charged in relation to a flight from Papua New Guinea to Australia, which had 52 kilograms of methamphetamine onboard.

It's believed the drugs have a street value of $15 million.

It's alleged the man from Newcastle, helped transport a tank of aviation gas to central Queensland to refill the aircraft used to smuggle the drugs.

After all five men were arrested, a search warrant was issued a the man's home in Wallsend.

If convicted, he'll face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

 

Police believe the men are part of an international crime syndicate, and are currently undergoing investigations into where they sourced the drugs, who else was involved in their transportation. 

 

Image: AFP

 

Three Charged After a Man was Allegedly Detained and Threatened in Wallsend

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Three people have been charged, after a man was allegedly detained and threatened in Newcastle last month.

It's alleged a man entered another man's car and threatened him with a knife at about 1:00am on Thursday the 16th of February, in the carpark of a fast food restaurant on Cowper Street at Wallsend.

He demanded cash before the 31-year-old victim was able to escape the vehicle.

Following inquiries, Raptor North police arrested a 32-year-old man on the Esplanade at Speers Point at about 1.40pm yesterday.

Believing the attack was part of a group operation, police then executed three search warrants at homes in Speers Point, Adamstown, and Macquarie Hills, where they seized cash, steroids, weapons and suspected fraudulent documents.

A 29-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were then arrested at Adamstown.

All three were refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court later today. 

Hunter Man Charged With Grooming

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Detectives from the State Crime Command's Sex Crimes Squad have charged a man following an investigation into online grooming in the Hunter region. 

Officers have spent the last month connecting online with a 47-year-old man in Port Stephens, posing as a woman and her daughter, aged under ten years. 

The man reportedly engaged in highly-sexualised conversations, sent child abuse material, and arranged to meet the pair for sexual activity. 

He was arrested at a home in Tanilba Bay yesterday at about 7:30am. 

Police also seized several electronic storage devices and other items, which will undergo examination. 

He was formally refused bail, and will appear before Newcastle Local Court next Wednesday. 

BREAKING! Four Arrested Over Alleged Hunter Street Assault

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Four people have been arrested following an alleged assault in Newcastle West yesterday afternoon.

About 3.45pm, Newcastle City Officers and one Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officer intervened with a group fighting on Hunter Street in Newcastle West.

Police were told, the four people entered a shop on Hunter Street before allegedly assaulting the owners, a 25-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman.

The man suffered a suspected fractured jaw, and was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment. 

Following inquiries, a 16-year-old boy and two men, aged 18 and 20, were arrested at the scene and taken to Newcastle Police Station.

The 16-year-old was refused bail to appear before a children's court today. 

Both men were granted conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court tomorrow 

Shortly after, a 20-year-old woman attended Newcastle Police Station and was also arrested in relation to the incident.

She was granted condition bail to also appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday the 2nd of March 2023.

Police Investigate Alleged Charlestown Robbery

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Lake Macquarie Police have commenced an investigation into a robbery in Charlestown overnight. 

It's alleged a 31-year-old man was walking to his parked vehicle on Carl Close at about 10:30pm, when he was approached by two unknown males.

There was an altercation, and the pair allegedly stole cash and a car key before fleeing the scene. 

The victim sustained a wound to his knee and was taken to John Hunter Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone who may have information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. 

Two Teenagers Charged Following Police Pursuit

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two teenagers have been charged following a pursuit through the Hunter yesterday. 

Police received reports a Kia Seltos SUV was reportedly stolen from a home in Calgaroo Avenue in Muswellbrook, as well as other personal items.  

A pursuit was initiated by Hunter Valley District Police when the vehicle was seen in Singleton just before 3pm, however it was terminated due to safety concerns. 

The vehicle was monitored travelling into Maitland, before police lost sight of it on the New England highway at Rutherford. 

The abandoned Kia was located shortly after at a home on Kristen Close, and two 15-year-old boys were arrested with the assistance of the dog unit at a nearby apartment. 

They are now facing multiple charges, including one breach of bail. 

They were both refused bail and will face Children's Court today. 

Two Men Charged Over Alleged Drug-Smuggling Incident at the Port of Newcastle

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two men have been charged over an alleged attempt to retrieve cocaine off a ship in the Port of Newcastle. 

Police allege the two Norwegian nationals, Johan-Martinius Halversen and Jon Birger Karlsen, were seen in the water at the Port at around 4am on Wednesday wearing scuba diving gear. 

It's believed they were attempting to retrieve 82kgs of cocaine off a visiting ship. 

They were arrested at Honeysuckle that afternoon by organised crime squad detectives and federal police. 

Newcastle Bail Court heard yesterday, the pair were a part of a sophisticated international crime syndicate, which both men deny. 

They are facing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and will face local court today. 

Teenager Charged Over Alleged Break-In at Thornton

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A teenage boy has been charged after a home in Thornton was allegedly broken into yesterday.

Police were called to a property at Edwards Avenue about 2:30am yesterday morning, after reports of a break and enter.

They were told residents had noticed a door left ajar and several items missing, including a set of car keys and personal devices. 

They were also told, a vehicle was found 15 metres down the driveway, wedged against a large hedge.

Following inquiries, police attended a property on Parkway Drive in Thornton, where they arrested a 17-year-old boy.

He was refused bail and will appear before a children's court on Friday

Teenager Arrested Over Alleged Armed Robbery

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A teenager has been arrested and charged over an alleged robbery at a Newcastle restaurant last year. 

It's alleged the 16-year-old boy threatened staff at Thai Town eatery in the Marketown shopping centre with a knife, and demanded bottles of alcohol just before 10pm on October 1st last year.

Police searched a home at Wallsend yesterday morning, and seized several items of clothing they believed to be relevant to their investigation. 

The boy was arrested at the property and taken to Waratah Police Station.

He was charged with one count of robbery while armed with an offensive weapon. 

He was granted bail and will face children's court next month. 

Raptor Squad Set to Tackle Organised Crime in the Hunter

BY BELLA MIDDLETON

 ABOVE: Acting assistant Commissioner Scott Tanner 

The New South Wales Police Force have announced two permanent bases for the organised crime-focused Raptor Squad, including one in the Hunter. 

29 officers will be stationed at the Hunter-based Raptor North, alongside the Illawarra-based Raptor South and the Sydney headquarters. 

The specialist squad will focus on cracking down on organised crime across the region, and will work closely with the National Anti-Gang Squad, the NSW Crime Commission, and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

"We are putting criminals across regional NSW on notice with the Liberal and Nationals Government boosting the NSW Police Force's Raptor Squad," NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said.  

"Every resident of our State deserves to feel safe in their communities and their homes."

It's hoped the squad will help dismantle local motorcycle gangs, and deter metropolitan organisations from expanding to the Hunter. 

Northern Region Acting Assistant Commissioner Scott Tanner said the success of the Sydney-based Raptor Squad lead to organised crime groups spreading into regional areas.

"What we're doing is meeting that demand, meeting that risk, by basing a squad in the northern region, and they'll be targeting those people who do us harm," said Mr Tanner. 

"Having our own squad now allows us better capability in the region. They are extra positions which have been created, so we're not taking positions away from the existing Raptor. They will still continue to be supported by the metropolitan-based Raptor squads."  

"They'll be living in our communities, so they'll have better input and better buy-in, which is really one of the advantages." 

"The message is clear today, if you're going to involve yourself in any criminal activity or organised crime, the Raptor North will be there, they will looking for you, they will track you down." 

State Crime Commander Michael Fitzgerald said the Raptor Squad has a proven high-impact on the determent of organised crime, and regional bases will build on that. 

"Since Strike Force Raptor's inception in 2009 and its establishment as a standalone squad in 2021, officers have made more than 7,500 arrests across the state and laid almost 20,000 charges for a variety of offences," said Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald. 

"The Hunter and Illawarra communities can be confident, a permanent presence of the Raptor Squad in the regions will ensure a rapid response to any organised criminal activity impacting on their safety."  

Hunter police launch appeal after cars stolen and destroyed

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police are appealing to the public for information after a number of cars were stolen from Wallsend and set alight.

About 2:40am on Tuesday 12 December, two vehicles were stolen from Birchgrove Drive. 

The vehicles were a beige Nissan Tida and a Grey Toyota Aurion. 

During the theft, the owner of one of the vehicles was injured. 

About 3.30am on 12 December, the Nissan Tida was destroyed by fire in Kestrel Avenue at Thornton. 

About 1.00am on 13 December, the Toyota Aurion was destroyed by fire in Bengalla Road at Muswellbrook. 

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

Woman critical after being stabbed in the neck in Hamilton South fight

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police are investigating after a woman was stabbed in the neck during an altercation at Hamilton South on Sunday night.

It's understood police were told two men and two women became involved in a fight around 11pm, resulting in a 35-year-old woman being stabbed in the neck and a 46-year-old man receiving a laceration to his hand.

All four are known to each other.

The pair drove themselves to the Mater Hospital, where the woman was transported to the John Hunter in a critical condition.

A 36-year-old woman sustained serious head injurie, while a 38-year-old man had a broken arm, and both were also taken to the John Hunter in a stable condition.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Thirteen Hunter teens charged over social media crime spree

BY DAKOTA TAIT

13 teenagers have been charged across the Hunter after a three-day operation investigating police pursuits and the theft of luxury vehicles.

Strike Force Baste was established as a joint operation by officers from Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens-Hunter, Hunter Valley, and Newcastle City Police Districts, after a number of homes were broken into and luxury vehicles stolen across the region.

The stolen cars were then often allegedly used in further property offences and pursuits.

Police allege the youths used social media platforms to coordinate their actions, locate the vehicles, and livestream the pursuits.

A three-day operation ran from Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 November, in which 13 teens were arrested and taken to Belmont, Waratah, and Cessnock.

Police laid 37 charges, relating to aggravated break and enters, stealing, vehicle theft, dangerous or reckless driving, possession of car-breaking implements, knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, and breach of bail.

All of the teenagers were refused bail before a children's court on Thursday.

Detective Inspector Steve Benson.

Police constable struck in Cessnock disqualified driver pursuit

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man has been charged with various traffic offences following a police pursuit in Cessnock on Thursday morning,  including a collision with a police constable.

About 12.50am, officers were conducting patrols when they attempted to stop a Mitsubishi Mirage on Cessnock Road. 

The Mitsubishi failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated travelling along Duffie Drive before turning onto Aberdare Road. 

At the intersection of Quarrybylong Street, the driver of the Mitsubishi lost control and collided with a police vehicle and a male constable standing nearby. 

The pursuit was terminated a short time later, before the Mitsubishi was later seen stopped on James Street, though the driver had fled on foot. 

With the assistance of Polair and the Dog Unit a man was found hiding in the rear yard of a house on O’Brien Street, about 1.30am.

The 33-year-old disqualified driver was taken to Cessnock police station and charged. 

He appeared before Cessnock Local Court later on Thursday, where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court in December. 

The constable sought medical treatment for a minor leg injury.

Police release CCTV in public appeal after West Wallsend armed robbery

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police have released CCTV images in an appeal to the public for information, after an armed robbery in West Wallsend earlier this year. 

About 11.20pm on Sunday 15 May 2022, a man wearing a mask and armed with a firearm and knife, entered a service station on Withers Street. 

The man approached the counter and allegedly threatened an employee behind the counter, before demanding money and cigarettes. 

The man fled the store on foot, before the 27-year-old male employee, who was uninjured, notified police. 

Investigators have released CCTV images of a man who may be able to assist with inquiries. 

The man depicted is described as being approximately 170 to 175cm tall, of medium to large build, wearing a black hooded jumper with a ‘Tommy Hilfiger’ motif on the front, black tracksuit pants, black shoes, wearing blue medical gloves and a Guy Fawkes mask. 

Lake Macquarie Crime Manager Detective Chief Inspector Scott Parker says the incident was brazen and posed a significant danger to the employee as well as the community.

"While it’s fortunate no one was physically injured, the trauma inflicted on victims in incidents like this, especially when firearms are involved, can cause long-term damage," he said. 

"There are people in the community who would know who this man is. Whether you are a friend or family member, we urge you to do the right thing and contact police."

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Rifle seized in investigation into Hunter Valley rural crime

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man has been charged after rural crime investigators seized a firearm during a three-day proactive operation targeting alleged rural theft and firearm offences in the Hunter.

Operation Fleece was established to target the movement of stock, illegal hunting, and the safe storage of firearms within vehicles and premises within the Merriwa and Cassilis area. 

From Friday to Sunday, police conducted 15 safe storage inspections and two firearm prohibition order searches. 

About 5.30pm on Friday, investigators stopped a vehicle on Bylong Valley Way at Baerami and spoke with the driver, a 40-year-old man. 

The vehicle was searched, where police located and seized a sawn-off rifle, cannabis, and ammunition to undergo forensic examination. 

He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and now faces charges relating to drug and firearms offences.

Police will also allege in court the man is subject to a Firearms Prohibition Order. 

The Baerami man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Saturday, where he was granted conditional bail to reappear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, officers issued 30 traffic infringement notices and two companion animal infringement notices during the operation, including to the driver of a conducted livestock checks and issued infringement notices to the people transporting sheep, cattle and pigs allegedly uncompliant with biosecurity legislation. 

Man charged after double arson attack on Cessnock care home

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man will face court on Friday charged over two alleged arson attacks at a care facility at Cessnock.

Just before 5am on Thursday, emergency services were called to a care home in Hutton Street, after a fire at the facility. 

Police allege a flammable object had been thrown at the kitchen door.

The fire was extinguished by an employee at the facility and no one was injured. 

Police immediately commenced an investigation into the incident. 

About 4.45pm that same afternoon, emergency services were called to the same facility and police will allege in court another flammable object was thrown at the kitchen door. 

The fire was extinguished by staff and Fire and Rescue NSW, and no one was injured. 

Following inquiries, investigators arrested a 46-year-old man nearby and he was taken to Cessnock Police Station. 

The man was charged with two counts of damage property by fire and was refused bail to appear before Cessnock Local Court on Friday.

Investigations are continuing.

Police investigating after man shot at Cessnock

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police are investigating after a man turned up at Cessnock Hospital on Sunday morning, with a gunshot wound to his leg. 

His injuries aren't life-threatening, but he now remains in the John Hunter Hospital. 

Police understand, the 41-year-old and two other men were in a vehicle in bushland off Vincent Street in Cessnock, when a man approached and spoke with them, before shooting the firearm.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers.