Police on the Hunt for Trio Wanted on Outstanding Warrants

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are on the hunt for three people who are on the run wanted on outstanding warrants.

The first is Tiana Hewitson who is wanted in relation to an outstanding arrest warrant relating to deception offenses.

It's the second time police have appealed for public assistance to find the 22-year-old.

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, 150-155cm tall, with a fair complexion, dyed hair and a thin build. She's known to frequent Newcastle areas including Hamilton, Hamilton South, The Hill, Broadmeadow and Gateshead.

Tiana Hewitson Image NSW Police

The other pair are two men - 34-year-old Jacob Toleafoa who is wanted in relation to two outstanding arrest warrants relating to deception, drug and malicious damage charges. The other man, 39-year-old Solomon Siulai is wanted for an outstanding arrest warrant relating to aggravated break and enter and steal from dwelling charges.

Both men are described as being Pacific Islander/Maori in appearance. The 34-year-old is
170cm-175cm tall, with an olive complexion, black hair and a large build. He is known to frequent the Newcastle area, including Hamilton and Hamilton South.

The 39-year-old is 185cm-190cm tall, with dark/greying hair and a medium build. He is known to frequent the Newcastle area, including Waratah, Mayfield, Hamilton South and Lake Macquarie area.

Anyone who sees any of the trio is urged to contact police immediately by calling Triple Zero (000), Crime Stoppers or Newcastle Police Station on (02) 4929 0999

Jacob Toleafoa Image NSW Police

Solomon Siulai Image NSW Police

Man Off to Court after Police Pursuit Through Wallsend

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man will face Newcastle Local Court today after a police pursuit through Wallsend.

At about 3:35pm yesterday police attempted to pull over a Holden Commodore Sedan on Sandgate Road, but the vehicle accelerated away initiating a pursuit.

The pursuit was terminated a short time later due to the manner of driving, but the vehicle was eventually located on Lorna Street, Waratah West.

The 31-year-old driver had fled into nearby swamp land and was found hiding in a creek by Police from the Dog Unit.

The man was discovered to be a disqualified driver and also subject to a firearms prohibition order.

Police searched him allegedly finding a small amount of methylamphetamine and then searched the vehicle allegedly finding a 12 gauge sawn off shotgun.

He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug (x2), drive whilst disqualified, police pursuit (Skye’s Law), possess prohibited firearm, and breach firearm prohibition order (x2).

The 31-year-old was refused bail to face court today.

Return and Earn Proving Popular in the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Mount Hutton Return and Earn Collection Point in the Hunter is proving to be among one of the most popular in the state.

The State Government has revealed their Container Deposit Scheme has so far seen 18 million containers collected across the state - 27, 813 of those from Mount Hutton alone.

It's a pleasing result for the government after the scheme copped it's fair share of criticism across the region for a lack of machines across the region.

Collection points in the Hunter to get 10 cents for your eligible container include the Woolworths at Singleton, Cessnock, Medowie, Salamander Bay, Mayfield, Mount Hutton and Jesmond. There are also over-the-counter collection points at McDougalls Hill, North Rothbury, Tenambit, Woodberry and Red Head.

Image 2GB Sydney.

EARLIER:

Hunter MP's want Return and Earn fast-tracked.

Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine first in the Hunter

 

Newcastle Transport: Start planning your Journey

BY JARROD MELMETH

With just over two weeks until the overhaul of Newcastle's Transport network comes into effect, commuters can start planning their journeys as of today.

Newcastle Transport's private operator Keolis Downer announced the new network in November promising more services and better connections.

As of January 14, most bus routes will have been revised as well as bus numbers changing to a new two digit number.

Commuters can plan their trip by visiting newcastletransport.info or by dropping into the Newcastle Transport Hub to pick up a printed timetable.

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region network coming into effect
January 14. 

Several People Rescued after being caught in Rip at Anna Bay

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's not only safety on the roads emergency services are pleading for, it's safety on the water as well.

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to reports of several people being caught up in a rip at Anna Bay late yesterday afternoon.

A 27-year-old man and a 14-year-old girl were flown to the John Hunter Hospital for observation.

Both were last reported to be in a stable condition.

It also comes after a man lost his life at Frazer Park, Catherine Hill Bay on Sunday - a notorious spot for drownings.

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.