Three Teenagers Charged Over Alleged Armed Robbery and Pursuit From Blandford to Newcastle

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Three teenagers have been arrested following an alleged armed robbery and pursuit across the Hunter Valley overnight.

At about 1:00am, police were called to the New England Highway at Blandford, and were told a 73-year-old man had stopped his vehicle to assist three unknown people who flagged him down.

As the man exited his car, the trio allegedly took his keys and threatened him with a knife, before fleeing in his white Ford Ranger utility.

A short time later, police were conducting patrols of the Singleton area when they attempted to stop the vehicle on the New England Highway.

When it failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated, continuing on towards Newcastle.

The pursuit came to an end in North Lambton following the successful deployment of tyre spikes.

Three boys, aged 16 and 17, and one 16-year-old girl were arrested at the scene before being taken to Newcastle Police Station, where they were charged with multiple robbery offences.

They were all refused bail to appear before a Children's Court today (Wednesday the 27th of September, 2023). 

Two Arrested, Drugs and Firearms Seized During Property Search In Maitland

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two men have been charged and guns and weapons have been seized, following a search warrant being carried out at a property near Maitland.

Earlier this month, police launched an investigation relating to firearms and the supply of drugs in the Maitland area.

Following inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a property on Champion Crescent at Gillieston Heights at about 8:30am yesterday (Wednesday the 6th of September). 

A search of the property allegedly revealed several items of interest including two firearms, an extendible baton, electronic devices, and various drugs, including methamphetamine. 

The two male occupants, aged 35 and 37, were arrested before being taken to Maitland Police Station.

The younger man was charged with 10 drug and firearm offences. 

The older man was charged with resisting police. 

Both were refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court today (Thursday the 7th of September). 

Third Man Charged Over The Alleged Murder Of Anthony Nugent

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A third man has been charged over the alleged murder of Hamilton South local Anthony Nugent.

Police say the 57-year-old was shot in the chest at the front door of his Fowler Street unit at about 11:00pm on the 6th of September 2022.

Two men, including one from Waratah and another from Sydney, have already been arrested and charged over the murder.

Yesterday, on the 8th of August 2023, a third man, aged 26, was transported from a prison in Junee to Wagga Wagga Police Station, where he charged with murder and supplying a pistol to a person unauthorised to possess it.

He's due to face court today (Wednesday the 9th of August). 

Anthony Nugent

BREAKING! Man Charged Over The Murder Of Anthony Nugent

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two men have been arrested in relation to the shooting of Hamilton South local Anthony Nugent last year. 

The 57-year-old was shot in the chest at the front door of his Fowler Street unit at about 11:00pm on the 6th of September 2022. 

Detectives will allege it was a targeted attack linked to the black market gun trade. 

Following enquiries, detectives linked to Strike Force Alcheringa searched a property on Station Street at Waratah yesterday (1st of August 2023), where they arrested a 26-year-old man. 

He's since been charged with murder. 

A second man from Macquarie Hills was also arrested this morning (2nd of August 2023) and is reportedly assisting police with enquires from Campbelltown Police Station. 

So far he has not been charged. 

Anthony Nugent 

Maitland Grossman High School Teacher Convicted of Common Assault, Despite Remorse

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The high school teacher from Maitland captured on video in a brawl with a student has learned his fate. 

A court heard 62-year-old Michael John Kable, had shown genuine remorse after admitting to the assault of a boy at Maitland Grossman High School on the 21st of March this year.

Presiding Magistrate Ron Maiden said he accepted Mr. Kable has been taunted by his class, was remorseful, and was unlikely to re-offend, but believed a conviction was warranted. 

He's been formally convicted of common assault and placed on an 18-month community corrections order. 

Ron Maiden said he believed it would be difficult for Mr. Kable to find another teaching job after the conviction, where Working with Children Checks were needed. 

Image: Newcastle Herald

Two Men To Face Court Over Alleged Shooting At Karuah

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two men have been arrested and charged, following an investigation into an alleged shooting at Karuah. 

Emergency services were called to an address on Bundabah Street at Karuah just before 7:00pm on Wednesday, following reports a man had been shot.

Police were told two men had arrived and allegedly shot the 55-year-old male resident, before stealing a Rolex watch and fleeing the scene.

He was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Following inquiries, at about 12:55pm yesterday, Raptor Squad detectives stopped a car on Ada Street in Belmont and arrested the 40-year-old male driver. 

During a search of the man, police located and seized a knife, and he was taken to hospital under police guard in a stable condition.

Another 59-year-old man was arrested shortly after at an address on Terence Avenue in Lake Munmorah. 

They will both face Belmont Local Court today. 

Man Charged After Vehicle Stop at Thornton

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A man will face Maitland court today, after a vehicle stop at Thornton unearthed allegedly stolen items and illegal drugs. 

Port Stephens Hunter Police were patrolling the Thornton area at about 3:00am on Wednesday, when they located a vehicle allegedly displaying altered registration plates on Thomas Coke Drive.

A search of the car revealed property suspected to have been stolen during a recent break and enter at Rutherford and a small bag containing methamphetamine.

A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene before being taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with multiple offences.  

Three Charged Over Drug, Firearm, and Pursuit Offences in The Hunter

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Raptor Squad North detectives have charged three people in the Hunter with drug supply and police pursuit offences.

Earlier this year, detectives commenced an investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs and firearms in the region. 

Following extensive inquiries, at about 9:20am yesterday, police executed a search warrant at a home at Kurri Kurri, where they seized methylamphetamine and thousands of dollars in cash. 

Two women aged 28 and 23 were arrested.

A short time later, police attempted to talk to a 24-year-old man on Groves Road at Bennetts Green, however he allegedly fled the scene in a car.

Two short pursuits were initiated in the Lake Macquarie area before they were terminated due to safety concerns.

The man was surrounded and arrested a short time later at a property in Edgeworth, where police seized knuckle dusters and a small amount of illegal drugs. 

All three offenders were refused bail to appear in court today.

Images: NSW Police