Police Investigate Unit Fire At Jesmond

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a unit at Jesmond overnight.

Firefighters were called to a two storey six unit complex in Harvard Close just before 1.00am today (Wednesday 10 September, 2025) to find unit 4 engulfed in flames.

Newcastle Fire Command says the occupants of all the units were safely evacuated and no-one was injured.

Around 30 firefighters took more than an hour to bring the blaze under control.

Two neighbouring units also sustained structural damage.

Police have set up a crime scene as investigations continue into the cause of the fire. 

 

BREAKING! Man Arrested After Siege At Jesmond Shopping Centre

 BY IAN CROUCH

A dramatic siege at a Jesmond shopping centre has ended with the arrest a man.

Police say just before 10.00pm last night (Tuesday 5 August, 2025), staff at the Woolworths in Jesmond Central on Blue Gum Road alerted police and evacuated the store when a man told them he was carrying a bomb in a bag and threatening to set it off.

Dozens of police, ambulances and fire crews were dispatched to scene including specialist negotiators and officers from the Tactical Operations Unit from Sydney.

The 36-year-old Newcastle man eventually surrendered to police at about 4.30am on Wednesday.

He was taken to Waratah Police Station and is expected to face Newcastle Local Court today.

Police say the bag he was carrying contained remote controls and no bomb was found after a thorough sweep of the store.  

 

Fears Growing For Man Missing From Newcastle For More Than A Month

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fears are growing for the welfare of man who's been missing from the Newcastle area for more than five weeks.

27-year-old Ricky Wilson was last seen at the Calvary Mater Hospital in Waratah on the morning of Monday August 5.

When he couldn't be located, police from Batemans Bay were notified and commenced inquiries.

Ricky is also known to frequent the Jesmond and Newcastle CBD areas.

Police and his family are very concerned as he suffers from a medical condition.

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

Missing Man Ricky Wilson

UPDATE! Police Operation Closes Newcastle Road Eastbound At Jesmond

 BY IAN CROUCH

 A man is in police custody after a woman was injured when she was alleged hit by a stolen SUV at Jesmond early Wednesday morning.

Emergency services were called to Newcastle Road just before 2am after a 21year-old traffic controller was allegedly struck by a silver Mercedes Benz SUV which was being pursued by police. 

Police had initiated the pursuit only moments earlier when the SUV – which had been reported stolen from Salt Ash – was seen allegedly travelling above the speed limit.

Police immediately rendered assistance to the injured woman while the alleged driver of the stolen SUV was arrested after a being chased down on foot.

The woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she is reported to be in a stable condition with pelvic injuries.

The 30-year-old man has been taken to Waratah Police Station.

A crime scene was established by Newcastle City Police with officers from the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit now conducting inquiries.

 EARLIER:

 There are major delays for traffic at Jesmond this morning due to a police operation.

Eastbound motorists on Newcastle Road are now being diverted onto the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.

The Transport Management Centre says westbound motorists  wanting to use the Inner City Bypass can consider using Blue Gum Road instead.

Motorists should also allow extra travel time and follow the directions of emergency services and traffic crews on site.

BREAKING! Man Arrested After Alleged Pursuit At Jesmond

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face Newcastle Court after an alleged pursuit at Jesmond early Wednesday morning.

Police say the 42-year-old from Elermore Vale was driving a Holden Commodore and failed to stop for a random breath test on Newcastle Road at about 3.15am.

They gave chase with speeds allegedly reaching 90km/hr in a 60km/hr zone.

The man stopped his car on Cardiff Road at Elermore Vale a short time and tried to run from Police but was quickly arrested.

He's been refused bail charged with Police Pursuit not stop and breach of bail offences.

BREAKING! Three Teens To Face Court Over Wild Pursuit Through Newcastle

 BY IAN CROUCH

Three teenage boys are set to front the Children's Court today following a pursuit in an allegedly stolen car in Newcastle.

Members of the public alerted police to a car being driven dangerously in the Wallsend area on Monday afternoon.

They attempted to stop a sedan on Douglas Street at Waratah and began following the vehicle when the driver failed to stop.

It's alleged the car was used to ram two police vehicles in Abbott Street, causing extensive damage to one of them.

Police say a parked truck was also damaged and a man was struck by the car but not seriously injured.

The car eventually stopped at Jesmond and three boys aged 13, 15 and 16 were arrested.

Police say the 15-year-old was behind the wheel - he's been charged with seven offences.

The other boys have been charged with being carried in a conveyance - all three have been refused bail.

Police Investigate Two-Vehicle Crash Following A Pursuit In Jesmond

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash following a pursuit in Jesmond overnight.

At about 3:30am on Monday the 21st of August, 2023, officers attached to the Newcastle City Police District attempted to stop a vehicle on Newcastle Road at Jesmond.

The vehicle, believed to have been stolen, sped off and a pursuit was initiated, however it was terminated a short time later for safety reasons.

The vehicle, a Grey Jeep Compass, crossed onto the incorrect side of the road and continued travelling east in the westbound lane, before colliding with another vehicle heading west.

The driver of the Jeep ran out of the vehicle and was unable to be located.

The driver of the other car was not injured.

Investigations into the incident are still underway.

Police Arrest Man Accused Of Prompting PolAir Pursuit

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

A man has been charged following an investigation into an alleged assault and stolen car at North Lambton.

Police were called to a home on Acacia Avenue about 11:00am on Wednesday (16th of August 2023), and were told a man had been assaulted and had his car stolen. 

 

The 65-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for a laceration to his arm.

 

A short time later, police located the car abandoned on Mayo Street at Jesmond.

 

Police canvassed the area with assistance from PolAir and the Dog Unit, however the man was unable to be located.

 

Following extensive inquiries and a public appeal, a 36-year-old man was arrested at Waratah at about 12:40pm yesterday (17th of August 2023).

 

He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 18th of August). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BREAKING! Police Investigate Woolworths Jesmond Robbery

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are checking CCTV footage in a bid to identify a man who robbed the Woolworths Supermarket at Jesmond Central on Sunday night.

Police say the man, who was not armed, approached the front counter of the store on Blue Gum Road at about 8.15pm and demanded cash from a female employee.

He was given an amount of money before running off.

He's described as being Caucasian, in his 30's or 40's, about 180cm tall, with a skinny build and was last seen wearing a black hoodie, dark pants, a red cap, and carrying a blue backpack.

Police are examining links to an unsuccessful robbery attempt on the bottle shop at the Hotel Elermore the previous day and a successful robbery attempt on a take away shop in Elermore Vale.

Anyone who can assist detectives with their investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police Hunt Two Men Over Attempted Armed Hold-Up At Jesmond

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are looking for two offenders who attempted to hold up a convenience store at Jesmond on Thursday night.

Police say two men wearing dark clothing and masks entered the store on Blue Gum Road just after 8.30pm armed with a firearm and a sharp object.

They threatened the male attendant and demanded cash, but the worker refused to comply and the pair fled empty-handed.

Anyone who noticed the pair acting suspiciously in the area at the time is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Community reeling after cleaner death at Woolworths Jesmond

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Friends and family are paying tribute to a woman who was tragically killed at Woolworths Jesmond last week.

Malerato Harrison, a contract cleaner at the supermarket, was found with fatal injuries on Friday morning.

Paramedics declared her dead at the scene.

Police believe the 39-year-old was crushed by cleaning equipment after it reversed onto her, and do not believe her death is suspicious.

Ms Harrison had moved to Newcastle from South Africa, living with her husband and his two children.

Woolworths says it is providing support to her loved ones.

Staff member dies after industrial accident at Jesmond supermarket

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A staff member has died after an industrial accident at Woolworths Jesmond on Friday morning.

Emergency services were called around 7:30am.

The 39-year-old woman suffered fatal injuries and was declared deceased at the scene by paramedics.

It's not believed to be suspicious, but police have established a crime scene and are investigating.

The supermarket is currently closed, though the rest of the shopping centre remains open.

BREAKING! Police Seek Help To Locate Car Stolen From Wallsend

 BY IAN CROUCH

Waratah Police are appealing for help to locate a stolen car which was taken from a Wallsend address overnight.

It's believed the 2019 grey Honda Civic was stolen some time between 8.00pm on Thursday and 4.05am on Friday.

Police say the car was last seen being driven along University Drive towards Jesmond at about 6.30am on Friday and it's also been seen at New Lambton, Broadmeadow, Jesmond and Hamilton South.

The car has the NSW registration EEB 62E.

If you spot the vehicle call Waratah Police or Crime Stoppers immediately.  

Manhunt Continues After Wild Pursuit Through Lake Macquarie And Newcastle

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two people remain on the run after leading police on a wild pursuit through Lake Macquarie and Newcastle suburbs.

Police say around 3.30pm on Tuesday officers tried to stop a Toyota Lexus at Charlestown and then chased the vehicle to Jesmond with dozens of police vehicles and the Polair helicopter involved in the pursuit.

The car was abandoned at the Jesmond Shopping Centre, with two people in the car running off.

Despite an intensive search, the pair could not be found, with police concluding the operation at about 8.00pm and the Lexus seized for forensic examination.

Newcastle Inner City Bypass 5th Stage A Step Closer

 BY IAN CROUCH

It's hoped work on the 5th stage of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass will get under way from midway through next year.

Tenders have been called for construction of the $450 million section, with three subcontractors vying for the work following an expression of interest process.

They are:

* John Holland Pty Ltd;

* Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd and;

* NEWLink - BMD Constructions Pty Ltd and Ditchfield Contracting Pty Ltd Joint Venture.

It's expected the tender will be awarded early next year.

The road is expected to reduce travel times by 80 per cent, bypassing 11 sets of traffic lights between, Lookout, Croudace and Newcastle Roads and removing up to 30,000 cars per day in the process.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Barnaby Joyce said the Australian Government has committed $360 million to build this section of road.

"The Federal Government is committed to busting congestion and reducing travel times through this multi-millon-dollar investment in the Newcastle Inner City Bypass," he said.

Transport for NSW is working with NSW Health to ensure the bypass provides a second access road to the John Hunter Hospital.

It's expected the bypass will open to traffic in 2025.

The proposed northern interchange of stage 5 of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass

Four People Evacuated As Jesmond Unit Goes Up In Flames

BY IAN CROUCH

Four people have been evacuated after a fire tore through their Jesmond unit overnight.

Firefighters were called to a three level brick and tile unit complex in Mordue Parade just after 5.00pm on Thursday to find flames coming from a window of one of the units.

They took about half an hour to bring the blaze under control which caused severe damage to a bedroom.

Power to the complex has been isolated and residents forced to find alternative accommodation.

Newcastle Fire Command says no-one was injured during the incident.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

Man To Face Court Over Alleged Armed Robbery On Jesmond Bottle Shop

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court today (Thursday 16 September 2021) accused of holding up a Jesmond bottle shop at gunpoint.

Police say the man entered the BWS outlet at Stockland Jesmond at about 4.45pm on Wednesday and threatened a shop assistant with a firearm before leaving with cash and four bottles of alcohol.

Following information from the public, a 24-year-old man was arrested outside a house on nearby Heaton Street.

He's been charged with robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon, possess unauthorised pistol, not wear face covering in retail outlet, not providing true and accurate information to Service NSW and not comply with a COVID-19 direction.

The man's been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today.

Police say the shop assistant was shaken by otherwise unharmed.