Two Officers Assaulted in Charlestown by Former Probationary Constable

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

Two Senior Constables have allegedly been assaulted by a former Probationary Constable at Charlestown.

The officers were called to the Panorama hotel at around 11.40pm on Monday night, following reports of a 35-year-old man acting aggressively, appearing to be under the influence of drugs.

They attempted to detain the man with capsicum spray and a taser, but were unsuccessful.

The man allegedly began to walk towards the Hoyts Cinema carpark and the Mattara Hotel, before officers again tried to arrest him.

Further police arrived and the man was detained after threatening to stab officers with a syringe. 

Two officers needed stitches for facial cuts sustained during the incident, and one of them sustained a significant elbow injury.

He was handcuffed following the violent struggle, and was taken John Hunter Hospital for treatment, before being transferred to Belmont Police Station.

The suspect was charged with a range of offences including armed with intent to cause am indictable offence, and two counts of assaulting police causing actual bodily harm.

He faced court on Tuesday where he was refused bail to re-appear in court today (Wednesday 23 September, 2020).

Man Charged Over Unprovoked Attack On A Woman At Charlestown Square

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man will face court today after an alleged unprovoked assault in the Hunter region.

About 8.40am yesterday (Thursday 3 September 2020), a 31-year-old woman was at Charlestown Square, when she was approached by an unknown man who allegedly pulled her hair until she fell to the ground.

It’s further alleged the man yelled at the woman, before he ran away.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and commenced an investigation.

Following inquiries, police attended the Newcastle Motel on the Pacific Highway, Charlestown, about 10am the same day.

A 39-year-old man was arrested at the motel and taken to Belmont Police Station, where he was charged with common assault and affray.

He was refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court today (Friday 4 September 2020)

Man Who Allegedly Impersonated Medical Professional Slapped With Extra Fraud Charges

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man who allegedly used several aliases to defraud clients of ten of thousands of dollars has been charged with eight additional offences, as part of an ongoing investigation in Lake Macquarie.

The 54-year-old allegedly used several aliases – as both a medical professional and a senior business executive – to fraudulently obtain $42,533 from clients between April 2019 and July 2020.

Lake Macquarie detectives established Strike Force Corymbia to investigate the alleged fraudulent offences, and he charged in June 2020.

Following further investigations, detectives arrested the man at a unit in Hamilton South around 6am on Tuesday morning. 

He was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with an additional eight offences, including:

• Obtain financial advantage by deception
• Dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception (x2)
• Use false document to obtain property
• Aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence (x2)
• Do act intending to pervert the course of justice (x2)

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday. 

Investigations under Strike Force Corymbia are continuing.

Anyone who may have information which could assist investigators is urged to come forward.

Woman To Face Court Accused Of Spitting On Police Officer

BY IAN CROUCH

A woman is due to face court in August accused of deliberately spitting on a police officer at Teralba.

The officer stopped a Subaru Forester on Anzac Parade on Tuesday morning for a random breath test.

It's alleged the male driver initially refused to comply and his passenger, a 20-year-old woman, got out of the car and verbally abused the officer before hitting him in the chest and spitting on him.

The officer called for back-up, with the driver arrested after returning a positive test for cannabis.

The woman has since been issued with a court attendance notice.

She's expected to face Toronto Local Court on August 4  charged with two counts of assault officer in execution of his duty, and one count each of resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, behave in an offensive manner in/near public place/school, and intimidate officer in execution of duty.

Police say a one-year-old child was also in the car at the time and a child-at-risk notification has been lodged with the Department of Family and Community Services.

Man Allegedly Walking Down Lake Macquarie Street with Replica Fire Arm Charged

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Police have charged a man after he allegedly walked down a street with a replica firearm in Lake Macquarie on Thursday.

.About 11.55am police were called after reports a man carrying a firearm was seen walking on Bourke Street, Windale.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended a home on Takooma Way in Windale, where a 22-year-old man was allegedly found with a replica firearm.

He was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station, where he was charged with possessing an unregistered firearm in a public place and possessing an unauthorized firearm.

He was refused bail and is due to appear at Belmont Local Court on Friday the 13th of March. 

Man Arrested for High Range Drink Driving in Charlestown Allegedly Unable to Stand or Walk

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A 57-year-old man has been charged with high range drink driving in Charlestown on Sunday,  following calls from concerned residents about a man being slumped over the wheel driving on Jergi Close. 

At around 6pm police responded to the calls, with the man allegedly that affected by alcohol he was unable to stand and walk from his vehicle. 

He was taken to Charlestown police station and arrested for high range drink driving, giving a breath analysis reading of 0.229. 

He was arrested with Drive High Range PCA and his licence was immediately suspended.

Two Teens Charged over Alleged Robbery of Computer Room at Lake Macquarie School

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Two teens have been charged after an alleged break and enter at a school in Lake Macquarie early Monday morning.

At around 1:30am, Police searched two young males, aged 13 and 14 walking along the Pacific Highway at Belmont.

They allegedly located 11 tablet computers, chargers, and a computer modem believed to be stolen from the near by school, as well as house breaking implements, face coverings and a knife.

Following inquiries, police were told that a security system was activated at 1am at a school nearby, with entry forced into a computer room.

The 14-year-old was charged with aggravated break, enter and steal in company, possess house breaking implements and custody of a knife in public place.

The 13-year-old was charged with aggravated break, enter and steal in company and possess house breaking implements.

Both were refused bail to appear at a children’s court today.

Police Allegedly Seize Child Abuse Material from Wangi Wangi Home

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man will appear in court today charged over the alleged possession of child abuse material seized by police at a Wangi Wangi home on Thursday. 

Following an investigation, detectives from the Lake Macquarie Police District executed a search warrant at the home, allegedly seizing a number of electronic devices containing child abuse material. 

A 46-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Toronto Police Station.

He was charged with using a carriage service to access child abuse material, possessing child abuse material using a carriage service, and possessing child abuse material.

The man has been refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court on Friday the 14th of February. 

Suspicious car fires in Charlestown

BY GEMMA FERGUSON

Two cars were set alight overnight, and Lake Macquarie Police District believe the incidents are linked.

The first occurred sometime between 5.30pm and 8pm yesterday, at which time police have been told a Hyundai i30 was found on fire at a home on Whitburn Close, Charlestown.

Neighbours and Fire and Rescue NSW assisted in extinguishing the blaze, and police were called to the scene to investigate.

While at this home, police received reports of another vehicle, a Subaru Forester, alight on Merran Avenue, Charlestown.

They were told the owner noticed his vehicle was on fire and extinguished the blaze.

He then noticed two separate small fires at the sides of his home, which were also extinguished.

Police are calling on anyone who may have CCTV or dash cam footage from around these times in the area.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Belmont Police on 4922 8899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Lake Macquarie Police District Duty Officer, Chief Inspector David Matthews, said this is a timely reminder for residents to revisit their home security.

“Always try to park vehicles inside a garage where possible, never leave valuables inside your car and in plain sight, and always remember to lock the door before walking away. These may seem like simple reminders but they can help you avoid becoming a victim of crime,” Inspector Matthews said.

Man Charged over Alleged Knifepoint Robbery

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A man is due to face court today over his alleged role in a West Wallsend armed robbery.

Police say the 28-year-old was armed with a knife when he entered a store on Carrington Street just before 11 o'clock Wednesday morning.

He is accused of threatening a female employee at the store and demanding cash before fleeing the scene in a Toyota Camry with alleged stolen number plates.

While Lake Macquarie police officers responded to the incident, the man's alleged getaway vehicle was noticed travelling at speed by Highway Patrol officers.

Officers pulled the car over and spoke with the driver before searching the vehicle, in which they allegedly located clothing and cash.

The man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station where officers charged him with robbery whilst armed, goods in custody and two counts of fraud.

Allegedly Stolen Goods Worth $50,000 Uncovered at Belmont

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Police have discovered a stockpile of stolen goods at Lake Macquarie believed to be worth roughly $50,000.

Detectives investigating a string of alleged copper thefts across the region searched a Belmont home two weeks ago, on Wednesday, September 25.

Officers discovered more than 50 allegedly stolen items during the search of the Arlington Street home, including a field line marker, floor sander, concrete cutter, high pressure cleaner and ceiling projector.

Police are now hoping to identify the owners of the stolen items.

Anyone with information about the thefts or who believes the items may belong to them can contact Belmont Police Station on 4922 8899.

Man Charged Over Theft Of Vintage Motorbikes At Whitebridge Worth $60,000

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to re-appear in court in August over the alleged theft of vintage motorbikes valued at $60,000 in Lake Macquarie.

Police say several storage units on Bulls Garden Road at Whitebridge were broken into late last month and 7 heritage motorcycles were stolen.

Following an intensive investigation, a 28-year-old Charlestown man was arrested yesterday and appeared in Belmont Local Court.

He's been charged with 9 offences including break enter and steal, disqualified driving, having custody of a knife in a public place and drug possession and refused bail to face Belmont Local Court on Wednesday August 7 2019.

 

Police Seize Entire Kitchen During Search Warrant

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Police have removed an entire kitchen during a search warrant at a home in Lake Macquarie.

Strike Force Raptor North officers searched the Booragul home around 8:30 yesterday morning as part of an investigation into a malicious damage incident last week.

Police seized a number of suspected stolen items including cabinetry, kitchen appliances, ceiling fans, doors and other building materials.

Prescription medication, clothing, and two electronic control devices were also seized, as well as 3.3g of methylamphetamine.

A 28-year-old man was arrested and refused bail to face court today.

Police will allege the man damaged a parked vehicle at Warners Bay last Friday, May 31, and used stolen products to fit out his kitchen.

The former member of the Finks bikie gang has been charged with 11 offences, including 2 counts of possessing a prohibited drug, destroy or damage property, and using a prohibited weapon.

Officers removed an entire kitchen from the Booragul home. Image: NSW Police Force

Crash Closes Wangi Road At Myuna Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

Three people have been taken to hospital after a single car crash at Myuna Bay.

Emergency services were called to Wangi Road at about 2.15am on Thursday to find a car had hit a guard rail and gone into a ditch outside the Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre.

The crash left a large amount of debris strewn across Wangi Road which was closed in both directions for about half an hour after two other cars collided with the mess.

It's understood two people suffered minor injuries and a third person was also taken to hospital with head and neck pain.

Wangi Road has since been cleared and re-opened to traffic.

Bandits Flee Attempted Armed Robbery At Lake Macquarie Club

BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie police are searching for two men who attempted to hold up the Toronto Country Club overnight.

The pair wearing balaclavas and armed with a knife and small axe, confronted a member of staff as he was finishing up for the day at about 1.00am and attempted to rob the club.

However, they set off the alarm in the process and were frightened off.

The worker wasn't injured - police will examine CCTV footage in a bid to identify the pair.

Anyone who noticed any suspicious activity around the Wangi Road club early this morning is urged to call Crime Stoppers.

Two Arrests Over Break and Enter

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Two men have been arrested following a break and enter in Lake Macquarie over the weekend.

Officers began investigating reports on Sunday afternoon that a home on Robina Drive at Hillsborough had been broken into and money had been stolen.

Police arrested a 20-year-old man at a home in Mayfield yesterday before searching a Hamilton South property where they recovered a quantity of cash.

A search warrant was then executed at a home in Avery Lane at Buchanan, where they seized items of clothing and more cash before a 22-year-old man was also arrested.

Both men have been granted conditional bail to face court next month, charged with break, enter and steal and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.

Inquiries are continuing.

Man Dies In Single-Vehicle Crash At Rathmines

BY IAN CROUCH

Police believe a man who died in a single car crash at Rathmines may have suffered a medical episode moments beforehand.

The 65-year-old died at the scene after his car slammed into a power pole on Dorrington Road just after 4.30pm on Monday.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District with assistance from Crash Investigation Unit, established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.