Suspicious Death at Whitebridge Update

BY JOSH SIM

Police are appealing to the public for information surrounding the circumstances of the man who was found on the side of the road with fatal injuries at Whitebridge at around 1am this morning.

The 23-year-old man who died while being airlifted to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital, was found with extensive injuries along Oakdale Road at Whitebridge by a taxi driver.

He has been formally identified by Police, but they're still waiting to notify family before releasing the details to the public.

Lake Macquarie Area Command Superintendent Danny Sullivan says the man's death is being treated as suspicious and a Strikeforce team had been set-up to work out the circumstances, but they are still relying on the public to come forward with any information.

"Police have established Strikeforce Yarradale, and that's been done with the homicide squad and also police from the Newcastle district,"

"We're at an opening stage of the investigation where we are asking the public to come forward," Superintendent Sullivan said.

It's as yet unknown why the man was at Oakdale Road, which is known to be a barron stretch of road connecting Whitebridge with Dudley and Glendale.

"At this point in time, Police are exploring a number of avenues of enquiry, and as yet we haven't ruled anything in or out, but the real key is that anybody with any information should contact Crimestoppers."

If you have any information that can assist Police with the enquiry, please contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

Belmont Police Station, shortly before Superintendent Danny Sullivan addressed media. 

Man Arrested After Crime Spree Across Newcastle And Lake Macquarie

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has been arrested following a month-long crime spree across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

The 28-year-old is facing 45 charges relating to stolen cars, break and enters, frauds and traffic offences.

Police were called to reports of a break in at a newsagency on the Pacific Highway at Belmont North at about 4.30am on Thursday, with a Toyota Rav 4 seen leaving a short time later.

The man was arrested after a major search involving the police helicopter and dog squad.

Police sighted a vehicle matching the description in Buttaba Avenue.

As they approached the car it sped away and allegedly collided with a police vehicle and another parked car.

Police located the vehicle a short time later in nearby Golding Avenue, Belmont North. Police conducted a search and the man was eventually arrested following a short foot pursuit.

The 28-year-old man was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with 45 offences including dishonestly obtain property by deception, drive conveyance without consent of owner, police pursuit-not stop-drive dangerous, break, enter and steal, drug offences, resist police and other traffic offences.

He was refused bail and is expected to face Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 2 March 2018).

Investigations are continuing.
 

Investigations Continue into Death of 70yo Man in Morisset Granny Flat

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Although not yet formally identified, it's believed the man who was tragically killed in a shed fire at Morisset overnight was the 70-year-old male occupant. 

Fire crews responded to several calls to Triple Zero just after 2 o'clock this morning following reports a granny flat in the rear of a property on Stockton Street had gone up in flames. 

Crews quickly extinguished the blaze containing it before it spread to neighbouring properties and buildings, fighting flames which were reportedly15 metres high.

Once the fire was extinguished, they made the grim discovery and a crime scene was established.

"When the fire was extinguished and the scene examined the body of a male person was located inside that granny flat. Detectives were called to the scene and subsequently started an investigation and will prepare a report for the coroner," said Crime Manager Detective Inspector Craig Davis.

"We believe at this stage the deceased may be the 70-year-old occupant but that, of course, is not confirmed and further identification process will be conducted forensically," said Detective Inspector Davis.

The granny flat was completely destroyed.

Michael who lives next door told Nine News he was in complete shock this morning.

"It was a bit of a shock when I spoke to the detectives here and he showed me a photo of his license and just bang, it hit me like a tonne of bricks,"

"He was alright, he was a very honest bloke, very outgoing and this is a real big shock for me."

A man’s body has been discovered in a shed that was destroyed by fire near Lake Macquarie: https://t.co/Qwi3E33quc pic.twitter.com/70oRccN0vf

— NBN News (@nbnnews) December 4, 2017

Detective Inspector Davis believes it was the quick work of firefighters on the scene that stopped the blaze from spreading.

"Very lucky. The fire brigade were on the scene fairly quickly and the fire brigade was called fairly quickly. It's a residential area so they're lucky they got to it early."

Anyone who has any information, or saw anything this morning, are urged to contact Crime Stopper on 1800 333 000

Gateshead Photographer Refused Bail

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Newcastle photographer accused of sexually assaulting women in his studio has been refused bail in court this morning.

Allan Todd Cameron, the 54-year-old runs photography company Primeval Edge. He says on the company's website he is interested in styles which "capture my interest" including casual fashion, bikini, and lingerie which looks to include nude photography.

Police commenced an investigation after a then 19-year-old woman allegedly told police she was sexually assaulted during a photo shoot at the Gateshead studio. Cameron is accused of assaulting two other women as well.

Police Prosecutor Adam Checkley opposed a conditional release this morning reasoning he posed an "unacceptable risk to the community" considering the number of victims, the time period and the nature of the allegations.

Police say they seized a laptop which contained more than 300,000 images - many of them were allegedly sexually explicit.

He attended Belmont Police Station yesterday where he charged with eight counts of assault with act of indecency, four counts of sexual intercourse without consent, two counts of procure person not prostitute for prostitution, and three counts of incite person 16 years or over to commit act of indecency.

He;s due to face court again via video link on December 13.

Investigations are continuing.

EARLIER:

BY IAN CROUCH

A Gateshead photographer accused of sexually assaulting models during photo shoots is due to face court today.

The 54-year-old is accused of assaulting three women at his Sydney Street studio in 2012 and June this year.

Detectives seized a computer containing more than 300,000 images - police say many were sexually explicit.

The man was arrested after attending Belmont Police Station yesterday and has been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today.

He's been charged with eight counts of assault with act of indecency, four counts of sexual intercourse without consent, two counts of procure person not prostitute for prostitution, and three counts of incite person 16 years or over to commit act of indecency.

Man's attempt to escape police didn't go to plan

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man will face Belmont Local Court later this month after an attempt to evade police didn't work out in his favor.

The 40-year-old man reversed his car into a police car at his home on the Pacific Highway yesterday morning after police turned up to arrest him over alleged domestic violence matters.

He didn't come quietly reversing his white Holden utility into the police car.

The officer escaped with only minor injuries and didn't require treatment.

He was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with alleged domestic violence telecommunication offences, malicious damage and using a motor vehicle to avoid apprehension.

Argument in Lake Macquarie leads to police pursuit

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man will face court today following reports he stabbed a man during an argument in Lake Macquarie.

Officers were called to a home on Martha Street, Caves Beach, just before 1:30pm yesterday. When they arrived they were told two men became involved in a verbal argument when one of the received a cut to his hand.

A 31-year-old man then fled the house in vehicle.

Police pursued the vehicle to Turea Street, Pelican, where they found a man and arrested him.

The man was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with police pursuit-not stop-drive recklessly, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, aggravated enter dwelling and three counts of enter enclosed lands without lawful excuse.

He was refused bail.

Man pulls a gun on terrified workers

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man will face Toronto Local Court today after he threatened staff at an Argenton convenience store yesterday.

Staff were left shaken but unharmed after the 34-year-old man and a woman became involved in an argument with the employees at the Main Road store before both left the store.

It's reported they returned a short time later, with the man allegedly armed with a shotgun.

The terrified workers fled to the back room and locked themselves inside, calling the police.

The pair left the store and police initiated an investigation.

The man was arrested last night at Belmont Police Station and charged with armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, intimidation and malicious damage.

He was refused bail.


Meanwhile,

The driver allegedly involved in a pursuit from Maitland to Buchanan on Wednesday night has now been charged.

He was taken to hospital after the chase suffering a suspected heart attack.

The man will face court today charged with five offences including dangerous driving, and driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.

Search warrant takes unprecedented turn in Lake Macquarie

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It turned out to be more than just property offences officers attended a Lake Macquarie home for yesterday morning.

A man has been charged after the Lake Macquarie Property Crime Reduction Team attended a home in Regent Street, Tingara Heights following investigations into an earlier break-in at Charlestown.

It didn't take long for the search to take an unprecedented turn with officers locating a man inside the home allegedly disposing items consistent with a clandestine laboratory - items used to manufacture the drug.

The 30-year-old man was arrested, the house locked up, and officers from Fire and Rescue NSW Hazmat and the State Crime Command Chemical Operations Unit were called in to attend the crime scene.

The man was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with break, enter and steal, resist arrest, possess precursor and four counts of possess apparatus.

He was granted strict bail conditions and will appear in court today.

Crackdown on car theft in Lake Macquarie

BY JESSICA ROUSE

An ongoing investigation into car theft in Lake Macquarie has been keeping officers busy, with six people arrested and charged with theft in the area.

Operation Patrol officers from the Lake Macquarie Target Action Group recovered 15 stolen motor vehicles after searching 28 people and 123 cars.

Further investigations led officers to a property on Suttor Street in Edgeworth where they seized a stolen 4WD which is alleged to be stolen.

A 17-year-old was arrested at the scene and charged not only with stealing the vehicle, but also with three counts of goods in custody.

He was taken to Belmont Police Station and granted conditional bail to appear at a Children's court later this month.

Investigations continued, with Strike Force officers aiding in another search on a property on Main Road in Edgeworth yesterday, where police located and seized another 4WD, a box trailer and two 4WD engines.

Investigations will continue.