Police Dog Tracks Down Wanted Man At Tomago

BY IAN CROUCH

A man wanted on outstanding warrants has been arrested following a pursuit at Edgeworth.

Officers noticed the man driving his blue Ford Falcon along Laurel Avenue just before 12.30 on Thursday morning and began following the car, but called off the pursuit a short time later when he crossed to the wrong side of the road.

The car was later dumped on Tomago Road at and a police dog found the man hiding in nearby bushland.

He's been taken to Toronto Police Station for questioning and is expected to be charged with several offences.

Bushfire near Edgeworth being treated as Suspicious

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A bushfire burning near Minmi Road at Edgeworth is now within containment lines.

The fire has is being treated as suspicious, started by a car fire on Saturday.

"The car fire is looking like it may have been lit on purpose so fire investigators both from the Rural Fire Service and NSW Fire and Rescue will work with police to obtain what evidence they can to determine if it was actually malicious and follow up as required," said Superintendent Josh Turner from NSW Fire and Rescue.

At its peak, the fire burnt through more than 150 hectares.

Around 20 Fire and Rescue NSW and the Rural Fire Service stayed on the ground overnight and this morning bringing the fire into containment lines.

"Doing a controlled back burn from containment lines which were put in around Link Road and Minmi Road,"

"Senior officers will inspect the site and get some new information this morning to make further strategies on what should be done today to fully extinguish this fire," said Superintendent Turner.

The fire poured heavy smoke over the area late yesterday afternoon and a westbound lane of the M1 had to be closed.

The fire is listed as being at Advice level by the RFS.

Looking north towards the blaze from Edgeworth.

NSW RFS crews are assisting Fire & Rescue NSW at a fire burning near Link Rd, Edgeworth (Newcastle). Smoke will be visible in the area, however no properties are currently at threat. One lane of Link Road is currently closed. Please monitor conditions in the area. pic.twitter.com/cRWfuburLP

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 28, 2018

Man Charged over Indecent Act in Front of 14-year-old Girls

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man will face Newcastle Local Court today charged over allegedly committing an indecent act in front of two teenage girls in Edgeworth.

Police say two 14-year-old girls were walking along Main Road Edgeworth at about 8:30pm on Monday night (January 1, 2018) when a man allegedly approached them before committing an indecent act.

The girls ran away and told a family member who reported the incident with police.

Following inquiries, officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended a home in Edgeworth where they arrested a 48-year-old man and took him to Toronto Police Station.

He was charged with two counts of committing an aggravated act of indecency and refused bail.

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.

Funding Announced to Prevent Illegal Dumping

BY BRIDGET GUNN

The Environmental Protection Authority has announced more than $75,000 towards combating illegal dumping in Lake Macquarie.

This funding will be used to establish fencing, gates and signage to control access to bushland areas around the city in an attempt to protect the city's bushland and public spaces.

There will be a particular emphasis on protecting dumping hotspots around the Lake Macquarie area, including Barnsley, Edgeworth and Awaba.

Council's Acting Manager of Sustainability Dean Chapman says this funding will be very beneficial for the Council, and encourages any person who has knowledge about possible cases of illegal dumping not to remain silent.

Incidents of illegal dumping can be reported at ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au, or by phone to Council at 4921 0333.

An example of illegal dumping
Source: ABC News