Drugs, Weapons, Cash Seized: Man Charged with Over 300 Offences

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A three-month-long investigation has seen one man charged with more than 300 offences related to drug supply in the Newcastle region.

Strike Force Toocooya was launched by Newcastle Police in February to investigate the supply of heroin in the area.

Following extensive inquiries, a 38-year-old man was stopped by police around 1:30 on Monday afternoon, while driving a hire car on Llewelyn Street, Merewether.

A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a prohibited drug believed to be heroin and cash.

Searches were then conducted at properties in Berner Street, Merewether and Park Avenue, Kotara, where officers allegedly uncovered 11-thousand-dollars worth of cash, drugs including heroin and cocaine, and a range of weapons including a replica pistol, tasers, flick knives and batons.

The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with ongoing drug supply and firearm and weapon offences totalling more than 300 charges.

He was refused bail and will face Newcastle Local Court on May 22.

Image: NSW Police via Facebook

Newcastle man wanted on drug and traffic offences

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man wanted on four outstanding warrants.

Gordon Davis is wanted in relation to drug and traffic offences.

Newcastle Police believe he may be able to assist with other investigations.

The man has been known to frequent the Taree, Forster, Kempsey, Hamilton and Hamilton South areas.

He has been described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, 165-170cm tall, 80-85kg with a solid build and short greying hair.

Anyone who sees Gordon Davis or knows his current whereabouts is urged to contact Newcastle police or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 00.

Gordon Davis.

Man Charged Over Fatal Hit and Run in New Lambton

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man has been charged after he allegedly hit and killed a man with his car in New Lambton.

At about 2:45am yesterday morning a 44-year-old man driving a Holden Statesman on Railway Road hit a 54-year-old man who stepped out on to the roadway.

The driver allegedly failed to stop, and drove from the scene.

The 54-year-old pedestrian suffered critical injuries and was rushed to John Hunter Hospital where he sadly died a short time later.

A crime scene was established, and at about 8am yesterday police arrested the 44-year-old man allegedly responsible for the incident.

He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, fail to stop and render assistance after impact causing death, negligent driving occasioning death, fail to stop and assist after impact causing injury, and not give particulars to injured person.

He was granted conditional bail and will face Newcastle Local Court on January 25.

Police are still appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.

Man Stabbed in Merewether

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are investigating after a man was stabbed in the neck and torso at Merewether last night.

At about 11:30pm, the 27-year-old was involved in a physical struggle with another man on Ulick Street.

He was stabbed several times in the neck, chest and arms during the incident.

After returning to his car, he managed to call a friend who drove him to the John Hunter Hospital.

It's believed he's in a stable condition.

Earlier:

A man is in a stable condition in hospital after he was allegedly stabbed in Merewether last night.

Police were called to Ulick Street  at 11:30pm following reports there was an altercation between two men which left one of them, a 27-year-old, with stab wounds.

A crime scene was set up this morning and police are investigating.

Stop It, or Cop It on the Hunter's Roads

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Stop it or cop it.

That's the message to drivers during the Christmas period to deter them from taking risks and encourage greater responsibility for their behaviour on the road.

The new campaign from the Sate Government comes as the state's largest high visibility road safety Police Operation: Safe Arrival gets underway. Safe Arrival started last night at midnight and will continue until 11:59pm on New Years Day.

In addition double demerits are also in place from next Friday (22nd December 2017) until Monday 1st January for all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle-helmet offencers and officers will be out in large numbers during that period targeting all types of dangerous driving behavious.

Chief Inspector Gerard Lawson said the key thing over the Christmas period on the road is to be patient.

"We know you've got to get there, don't rush to get there and be patient with yourself and your own timings and also be patient with other road users. Occasionally people make mistakes, let's not let those mistakes be fatal."

"While everybody else is getting ready to go away, our highway patrol and general duties police aren't on holidays, they're staying at work just to make sure everyone is safe and there will be plenty of police on the road doing speed enforcement and alcohol enforcement and all of our regular activity at this time of the year," said Chief Inspector Lawson.

Chief Inspector Lawson believes that while the double demerits during Operation Safe Arrival are a good deterrent for drivers to stay safe, we shouldn't need them, and should just remember that our actions on the road can affect more than just ourselves.

"But that shouldn't be the focus, you know it should be about doing the right thing and being patient with your neighbours and other road users so that everyone gets to where they need to go."

Minister for Police Troy Grant said motorists are continuing to take risks despite the number of fatalities this year and despite the number of police out on the roads.

"There will be more police tackling risky behaviour on our roads this Christmas as a part of Operation Safe Arrival and the message to motorists is clear - you're responsible for your own actions, you can either Stop it... Or cop it," said Troy Grant.

Body found at Nobbys

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are appealing for information after a body was discovered at Newcastle yesterday morning.

Emergency services were called to Nobbys Break wall at about 11:20am following reports of a concern for welfare.

Newcastle officers located the body of a Caucasian male at the scene.

At this stage police say there's nothing to suggest the man's death is suspicious, however, the body will be forensically examined and subject to a post-mortem to determine a cause of death.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police hunt driver who fled fatal crash

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police are currently on the hunt for a male driver who fled the scene of a crash in Wickham resulting in the death of a 36-year-old woman.

The crash occurred just after 9am this morning when a white Ute lost control on the roundabout at Branch Street.

The vehicle crashed into the victims motorised scooter before mounting the kerb and smashing into a fence.

The woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition with a head injury and multiple fractures but died.

The male driver is described as wearing high visibility clothing with blood on his face, about 175-180cm tall with short brown hair.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the whereabouts of the man police are seeking should call Newcastle City Local Area Command or Crime Stoppers of 1800 333 000.

Update 3:30pm

Police have confirmed a 31-year-old man has handed himself into police.

Police Continue Investigations into Newcastle Brawl

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

Police have released the images of five men who they believe will be able to assist them in investigations being made into a brawl in Newcastle last month.

Emergency services were called to an argument which had broken out outside a Darby Street premises just before 10:30pm on Saturday 8th October 2016.

A sergeant and senior constable were assaulted during the incident.

Police arrested four men, aged 18, 21, 22 and 23 at the scene and charged with numerous offences.

The men in their 20s are due to face Newcastle Local Court on 8th December 2016 while the 18-year-old has already faced court.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au 

Police are appealing for these five men to assist in their inquiries.
Image Courtesy: NSW Police Force