Man wanted on outstanding warrants from Lake Macquarie

BY JORDAN REGNIS

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a man wanted on outstanding warrants from Lake Macquarie.

Neil Purnell, aged 38, is wanted on outstanding arrest warrants for multiple domestic violence offences.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, 180cm tall, of thin build, fair complexion, with short brown hair and brown coloured eyes.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged not to approach him but to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

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. 

Fleeing Learner Driver Runs Into The Arms Of Police At Belmont

 BY IAN CROUCH

 A learner driver is due to face court next month accused of mid range drink driving at Belmont.

Police say they spotted a Ford Falcon station wagon travelling above the 50 km/h speed limit on the Pacific Highway at about 9.45pm on Wednesday.

However, when they stopped the car the 24-year-old driver from Gwandalan fled, but as he rounded the corner into Maude Street, he ran straight into the arms of four officers from the nearby Belmont Police Station who were on their way to assist.

It's alleged he returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.133 and has also been charged with being an unaccompanied learner and not displaying L plates.

He's due to face Belmont Court on January 20.

Three People Seriously Injured In Crash At Eleebana

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Lake Macquarie Police are investigating a serious crash at Eleebana.

Two cars collided on Bareki Road at about 6.15pm on Monday, trapping the occupants.

Police say three people suffered significant injuries and one is in a critical condition in hospital.

Crash investigators are looking into the circumstances leading up to the crash.

Police Investigate Fatal Crash At Catherine Hill Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

 A report is being prepared for the Coroner after a fatal motorbike crash at Catherine Hill Bay.

Emergency services were called to Flowers Drive at about 5.30pm on Wednesday where they found the 34-year-old male rider deceased at the scene.

Police say it appears he lost control of the motorcycle on the crest of a hill and ran off the road.

Residents Evacuated After Car Crashes Into Unit Complex At Glendale

BY IAN CROUCH

The occupants of a unit complex at Glendale are counting the cost after a car crashed into the building overnight.

Emergency services were called to Lake Road at about 11.30pm on Thursday to find the car had crashed into the ground floor unit, causing extensive structural damage.

Luckily the occupants of the car and the units escaped injury.

Fire crews used props to make the building safe however upstairs residents had to find alternative accommodation for the night.

The downstairs unit sustained extensive damage when a car ploughed into the building at Glendale on Thursday night Pictures: Cardiff Fire & Rescue

BREAKING! Dog Rescued From Burning Home At Kahibah

BY IAN CROUCH

A dog has been rescued from a burning home at Kahibah.

Neighbours of the single level brick and tile home in Hexham Street noticed smoke coming from under the front door just after 7.00pm on Wednesday.

Six fire units from Charlestown, Tingira Heights, Merewether and Lambton were sent to fight the fire which caused extensive damage to property.

Police say the occupant arrived home as crews were battling the flames and a dog inside was rescued unharmed.

It's taken about an hour for firefighters to douse the flames.

It's believed a computer charger may have caused the fire.

Police and fire investigators will return to the scene this morning, however the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

UPDATE! Police Launch Appeal To Find Missing Lake Macquarie Woman

BY IAN CROUCH

A woman reported missing from the Lake Macquarie area earlier this week has been found safe and well.

Police advise Jasmine Towers Hammond returned home at about 5.00am this morning (Wednesday 16 September, 2020).

Her family became concerned for her welfare when she failed to return home after she was last seen on Monday night.

EARLIER: 

Police are appealing for help to find a woman who's gone missing from the Lake Macquarie area.

28-year-old Jasmine Towers Hammond was last seen driving a red Jeep Wrangler with the NSW registration JJ5AS in the Caves Beach area at about 9.30pm on Monday but has failed to return home.

Police and her family have concerns for her welfare.

Jasmine is described as being Caucasian with a medium build, about 160cm tall, with long blonde hair and has a tatoo on her left bicep and one on her inner left forearm.

She was last seen wearing a red blouse and black pants.

Missing woman Jasmine Towers Hammond Picture: NSW Police

UPDATE!: Hunt on for Ute Hijacker who Rammed a Police Car in Bonnells Bay

BY KAYNE STEPHENS and IAN CROUCH

Police have released the name of the man they say was behind the wheel of car which rammed a police vehicle on Monday afternoon at Bonnells Bay.

Officers began pursuing a Mercedes on Regent Street just before 2.30pm before the driver allegedly rammed their vehicle.

The driver then abandoned the car and threatened the driver of a nearby utility before stealing the car with the owner still inside.

Police have since found the ute and the 20-year-old driver, however they're still looking for the hijacker.

He's 27-year-old Adam Gilham.

Anyone with Information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

The Wanted Man: Adam Gilham Picture: NSW Police

EARLIER:

Police are searching for a man who rammed a police vehicle and then hijacked a car in Bonnells Bay.
A Mercedes failed to stop on Regent Street just before 2:30 today.

A police pursuit of the car shortly became dangerous and was terminated after the police car was rammed on Fishery Point Road. The officers inside were uninjured.

The man abandoned the Mercedes and then hijacked a nearby Toyota Hilux ute. Police say the driver, aged in his 20s and wearing a hi-vis vest, was still inside the vehicle when he was threatened and had his car stolen.

The PolAir unit and the Dog Unit are searching for the man.

Anyone who may have seen the white 2019 Toyota Hilux with registration EGR36C should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The ute has 'CDA Group' written in green and black on the side.

It was last spotted on Grand Parade, Bonnells Bay, heading toward Fishery Point Road.

Police are looking to speak with a man described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his mid-20s, with short dark hair, and a medium build At the time, he was wearing a dark grey shirt and long black pants.

Pursuit Ends With Man Arrested At Tingira Heights

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court later this month accused of leading police on a pursuit in a stolen car through Lake Macquarie.

Just before 7.30am on Saturday, officers were alerted to a white Volkswagon Caddy being driven in a dangerous manner at Windale - they spotted the car in Merrigum Street and gave chase but called off the pursuit for safety reasons.

A second pursuit at Tingira Heights ended when the driver fled the vehicle in Violet Town Road.

The 18-year-old was found hiding under a car nearby - he allegedly had a hunting knife in his pants and returned a positive breath test.

He was taken to Belmont Police Station where a breath analysis allegedly returned a reading of 0.071.

The man was charged with never being licensed to drive on the road, low-range drink driving, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed, and custody of a knife in a public place

He's been granted conditional bail to face Belmont Local Court on September 23.

Police will allege the car was stolen from a Warners Bay address in the hours before the incident.

Alleged Drink Driver Threatens Police At Bonnells Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie police have a charged a man with High Range Drink Driving after he crashed his car at Bonnells Bay.

Police say the 36-year-old lost control of his Holden Commodore Station Wagon on Princes Street at about 4.30pm on Wednesday and crashed into telegraph pole, bringing down live power lines.

It's alleged the man threatened to touch the wires and assault police.

He's been charged with a range of offences including high range PCA, driving while suspended and resisting arrest.

The man's been granted strict conditional bail to face Toronto Court on October 13.

The crash scene at Bonnells Bay Picture: Lake Macquarie Police District

Police Investigate Whitebridge Home Invasion

Police are investigating after an aggravated break and enter at Whitebridge overnight.

Police have been told a 26-year-old man was inside a home on Nicole Close about 8.40pm (Sunday 30 August 2020), when two men – armed with knives – forced entry to the home.

The pair – dressed in dark clothing with their faces covered – demanded cash and personal items before stealing the man’s white Holden Colorado, which was parked outside the home.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were called and have commenced an investigation.

Anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious between 8.30pm and 9pm last night, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage are urged to contact police.

Yacht Destroyed By Fire At Warners Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a yacht at Warners Bay overnight.

Crews from Cardiff and Teralba along with the Hazmat Unit from Newcastle were called to the Jetty off The Esplanade and Lake Street at 1.30am on Thursday to find the yacht hitched to the pier well alight.

They took about 90 minutes to fully extinguish and mop up the scene.

The yacht sank and will be salvaged today.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

Fire crews arrived to find the yacht engulfed in flames Picture; Fire & Rescue Cardiff

Police Investigating Hold-Up At Highfields Service Station

BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie police are investigating an armed hold up at Highfields service station.

A man entered the Metro outlet on the Pacific Highway around 4.00am on Tuesday and threatened the console operator with a knife.

It's believed he escaped empty-handed.

The male console operator wasn't injured and inquiries are continuing.

Two Critical After Crash At Dora Creek

BY IAN CROUCH

An elderly man and a teenage girl remain in a critical condition after a bad crash at Dora Creek.

A Hyndai hatchback towing a box trailer pulled over on Wangi Road at about 1.40pm on Sunday.

Police say the occupants, an 84-year-old man, a 57-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl were out of the car when they were struck by a Holden Kruse.

The man suffered suspected leg fractures, the girl head injuries and the woman sustained abrasions - all three were taken to the John Hunter Hospital.

An 87-year-old woman driving the Holden Kruse was not injured and was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Police are appealing for witnesses, or anyone with dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

BREAKING! Police Investigating Alleged Stabbing At Morisset

BY IAN CROUCH

Police have set up a crime scene after a man was found with knife wounds at Morisset.

Officers were called to the town's industrial area at about 3.30am on Wednesday.

A man in his 30's has been taken to the John Hunter Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

It's believed the incident may be drug-related.

Police Launch Fresh Appeal For Missing Teen Gordana Kotevski

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are using Missing Persons Week to renew their appeal for information into the disappearance of Lake Macquarie teenager, Gordana Kotevski more than 25 years ago.

The 16-year-old was last seen being forced into light colored utility on Powell Street at Charlestown at about 9.00pm on Thursday November 24 1994.

Gordana had been shopping at Charlestown Square and was walking to her aunt's home when it's believed she was abducted.

Lake Macquarie Superintendent Danny Sullivan says its been a quarter of a century of unknown and heartache for Gordana's friends and family.

"She was a teenager, she had her whole life ahead of her. There are people in the community which have vital information which could help detectives solve this case."

"Anyone who lived in or visited the Lake Macquarie area in late 1994, please cast your mind back and recall of you noticed a light colored utility in around the area of Powell Street in Charlestown."

In a statement, Gordana's family said the impact of her disappearance has taken its toll on her parents, siblings, extended family and friends.

"Missed special events, like the recent birth of her nephew bring with it a stark reminder of the emptiness left my her disappearance, the passage of time has not made the acceptance of the situation any easier."

"It is unacceptable that for over 25 years we are still waiting on answers. It is unacceptable that the persons responsible can continue their lives unaffected. It is unacceptable that people who know the secret which can unlock this mystery remain silent."

Superintendent Danny Sullivan says anyone who comes forward with information, can remain anonymous.

"These types of cases are literally like a puzzle, and sometimes people are holding a small piece of that puzzle in total unrealization that they have that missing piece."

Missing Lake Macquarie Teenager Gordana Kotevski

Supt Danny Sullivan Picture: dailytelegraph.com.au

Police Investigate Fatal Crash At Charlestown

BY IAN CROUCH

Crash investigators are trying to piece together the circumstances leading up to a fatal crash at Charlestown overnight.

Police have been told a car was travelling north on the Pacific Highway just before 9.30pm on Thursday when it left the road and crashed into a power pole.

The driver, a 47-year-old man from Cardiff, who was the only person in the car, died at the scene.

The northbound lanes of the highway between Charlestown Road and Ocean View Parade were closed while officers set up a crime scene.

Traffic is now back to normal.

Police Investigate Armed Robbery On Wyee Service Station

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for help from the public following an armed robbery on a Wyee service station.

Police say two men and a woman entered the store on Wyee Road at about 5.0am on Sunday, however the woman ran off.

The two men threatened a 26-year-old male attendant with knives and demanded cash.

They fled with an amount of money and cigarettes and were last seen running towards a laneway off Munmorah Street.

The trio are described as being of Caucasian appearance - the two men are aged in their 20's with a medium build; the woman has long brown hair.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers.

Police say the attendant was not physically injured.

Man Arrested After High Speed Pursuit At Belmont

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has a date in court following a high speed pursuit at Belmont early Friday.

Patrolling police attempted to stop a Suzuki motorbike on the Newcastle Inner City Bypass at 1.20am but gave chase when the rider failed to stop.

The pursuit continued onto the Pacific Highway, allegedly reaching an estimated speed of 150km/h  in a 60km/h zone before the motorcyclist stopped near George Street.

The 36-year-old is due to face Belmont Local Court on August 5 charged with 5 offences including police pursuit, and riding an unregistered and uninsured motorcycle.