Trio Arrested After Pursuit Of Alleged Stolen Car At Belmont

BY IAN CROUCH

Police have arrested three people following a pursuit of a suspected stolen car at Lake Macquarie.

Officers noticed a blue Ford Territory on the Pacific Highway at Belmont on Wednesday morning - the vehicle stopped briefly for police on Maude Street but the driver sped off, prompting a pursuit which was called off by police a short time later.

Officers then spotted the driver and her two passengers walking along the Pacific Highway.

All three arrested and refused bail.

UPDATE! Critical Incident Investigation Launched After Fatal Motorbike Crash In Newcastle C.B.D

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has died in a horrific motorcycle crash moments after police terminated a pursuit in the Newcastle C.B.D early today.

Officers were patrolling the city when they attempted to stop a motorbike on Hunter Street near Steele Street just before 3.00am on Wednesday.

However, the rider took off and the officers initiated a pursuit which they terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.

Police say the motorcycle continued along Hunter Street before being found crashed on Scott Street, after hitting a pole.

Officers rendered first aid; however the male rider died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.

A critical incident team from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District will investigate all circumstances leading up to the incident, with their findings being subject to an independent review.

Scott Street has now re-opened but Light rail services are operating on a restricted service from Newcastle Interchange stopping at Queens Wharf.

Anyone with information which can assist investigators is being urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Crash Scene In Scott Street Newcastle Photo: theherald.com.au

Man's Naked Body Found In Water Off Caves Beach

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are working to identify the body of a man found in the water off Caves Beach,

Emergency services were alerted to the discovery just before 4.00pm on Tuesday afternoon, with the man's naked body found about 100 metres from the shoreline.

He's described as having a medium build with short light brown hair.

Police say the body had no identifying marks or tattoos

Anyone who can assist police with their inquires is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Man Charged after Unprovoked Assault on 62-year old Maitland Woman

By Isabel Everett

A man faced Maitland local court today and has been charged following an alleged unprovoked assault on a 62-year-old woman in Maitland on Monday the 6th of January.

Around 4:35pm yesterday the woman was walking along Church Street when she stopped behind a 40-year-old male before he turned around and struck the woman in the face.

The man fled the scene and emergency services and Port Stephens-Hunter police arrived shortly after.

Police later arrested the man at Maitland Railway Station, he was later charged at Maitland Police Station with reckless wounding.

UPDATE! Thousands Of Homes Without Power In Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Due To Arcing Power Lines

BY IAN CROUCH

Overnight rain has played havoc with the electricity grid across parts of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

Newcastle Fire Command says they've been called to dozens of reports of wires arcing across the region.

It's believed the rain has combined with recent dust from bushfires to cause wires to arc.

Around 3,400 homes and businesses are without power at Warabrook, Sandgate, Mayfield, Mayfield West, Adamstown, Broadmeadow, New Lambton and Redhead.

Ausgrid hopes to have power restored by 10.30am.

Police Investigate House Fire At Dungog

BY IAN CROUCH

A house fire at Dungog overnight is being treated as suspicious.

A NSW and RFS crew were called to the single storey fibro home on Abelard Street just after 10.00pm on Monday to find the front of the house well alight and flames through the roof.

No-one was home at the time.

It's taken crews about 2 hours to extinguish and mop up the blaze.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

UPDATE! Concerns For Missing Salamander Bay Man

BY IAN CROUCH


A man reported missing in the Hunter region has been located safe and well.

The 79-year-old man was last seen driving off from his home on Sandpiper Avenue, Salamander Bay on Saturday 4 January.

John Russell had been reported missing to officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, who commenced an investigation.

Following extensive inquiries, the man returned to his home in Salamander Bay this morning (Wednesday 8 January 2020).

Police would like to thank the media and public for their assistance.

EARLIER:
 
Police are appealing for public help to find a man who's gone missing from Salamander Bay.

79-year-old John Ernest Russell was last seen leaving his home in Sandpiper Avenue at about 1am on Saturday and hasn't been seen since.

Police believe he may have been heading to Sydney in his charcoal coloured 2015 Toyota Hilux ute with the registration JR-022.

There are concerns for his welfare as his disappearance is out of character.

John is described as being of Caucasian appearance with a medium build, about 187 centimetres tall with grey hair , blues eyes and tanned skin.

Anyone who sees John is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Missing Man: John Russell