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.
 

Son Charged with the Murder of His Father in Maryland

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A 21-year-old man will face Newcastle Local Court today, charged with the stabbing murder of his father in Maryland last night.

Police were called to Delray Court, Maryland just after 9 o'clock last night following reports of an assault.

Officers arrived to find a 52-year-old man lying in a front yard with multiple stab wounds from a knife to his chest and stomach.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Mahon.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Mahon said it appears the incident was sparked by an argument between the father and son over a phone.

"The investigation has revealed a 52-year-old male and his 21-year-old son were involved in an argument. We don't know what the argument was about at this stage. At about 9:15pm last night, the father has left the premises followed by his son and a further argument took place,"

"During that argument police will allege the son stabbed his father several times. The ambulance was called with the assistance of neighbours, and unfortunately, the father was unable to be revived and he passed away at the scene."

The Police Dog Unit was called in to track down the 21-year-old who was found in neighbouring parkland 1.5 kilometres away from the scene.

He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was refused bail and charged with murder to appear at court today.

Detective Chief Inspector Mahon said the man refused to be interviewed by police.

The phone which the argument was allegedly over was found in parkland by the Police Dog Unit while they were searching for the son.

Detective Chief Inspector Mahon is thankful to the neighbours who tried to help the man in what was a tragic situation.

"It's happened in a person's front yard and they've witnessed it. So it was just tragic for everyone. Especially at this time of the year being Christmas."