Amateur jewellery heist at shopping centre

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Amateur thieves made away with thousands of dollars worth of watches and jewellery from two jewellery stores at Westfield Kotara yesterday.

Just after 2am, two unknown men forced entry to the shopping centre using hammers and smashed the front windows of Melville Jewellers and Wallace Bishop Jewellers.

The offenders fled the scene on bicycles.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene.

They say it doesn't appear to be the work of professionals.

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

Police Recover Alleged Stolen Jewellery at Windale Property

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

A man is set to face Newcastle Local Court today after police found 55 pieces of allegedly stolen jewellery following a break-in at a Charlestown store.

It's alleged the store was broken into on the night of the 27th and 28th of December this year.

Police from the Lake Macquarie Property Crime Reduction Team were investigating the break-in, leading police to execute a search warrant at a Windale property yesterday morning.

A 44-year-old man was arrested and later charged with break enter and steal, shoplifting, goods in custody, possess prohibited drug and hinder police in the execution of their duty.

He was refused bail.

A woman was also arrested at the Windale property in relation to revocation of parole warrant.