A man has been charged over a number of alleged police pursuits and drug offences in the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command yesterday.

Just before 10.30pm (Tuesday 22 December 2015), police attempted to stop a red Holden sedan travelling on James Street, Windale, when the driver allegedly failed to stop.

A pursuit was initiated and continued through Garden Suburb, Cardiff and Warners Bay, when the vehicle escaped police.

A second pursuit was initiated on Warners Bay Road, Warners Bay, when police again attempted to stop the vehicle; however the driver again was able to avoid police.

The vehicle and driver, a 31-year-old man, were located on Marmong Street, Marmong Point.

The man was arrested at the scene and the vehicle searched, where police allegedly located a hunting knife and amphetamine. All items have been seized for forensic examination.

The man was taken to Belmont Hospital for mandatory testing, before being taken to Lake Macquarie Police Station, where he was charged with seven offences, including:

– Three counts of not stop for police (Skye’s Law),

– Unaccompanied Learner driver,

– Not display L-plates,

– Possess knife, and

– Possess prohibited drug.

He has been refused bail, to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 23 December 2015).

Further charges are expected to be laid.

A man will face court today after brandishing a firearm during a shoplifting offence near Lake Macquarie.

Around 11.30pm last night (Monday 21 December 2015), police were contacted after a man threatened staff at a service station on Freemans Drive at Freemans Waterhole. The man had allegedly pointed a firearm at staff members after they confronted him over alleged shop-lifting offences. He left the location in a white Holden ute a short time later.

Police attended the service station and spoke to staff, before conducting a search for the man.

A short time later, police found a white utility parked in bushland near the M1 Motorway. Upon seeing police approach, a man ran from the ute into the bush. He was arrested a short time later.

Police searched the bushland and found a replica firearm nearby.

The man, aged 33, was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with a number of offences, including:

– Armed with intent to commit indictable offence;

– Assault;

– Four counts of stalk/intimidate;

– Numerous firearm-related offences; and,
– Numerous driving offences.

Bail refused, he is due before Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 22 December 2015).

Detectives have charged a man following investigations into the disappearance of a woman in Tamworth earlier this year.

Strike Force Chiltern, comprising detectives from Oxley Local Area Command, was established to investigate the disappearance Johann Morgan, who was reported missing to police Sunday 16 August 2015.

Investigations led police to arrest a 45-year-old man at Dubbo yesterday (Monday 21 December 2015).

Detectives attended a home on Yulong Street shortly before 7.30pm where they arrested the man and conveyed him to Dubbo Police Station where he was interviewed.

He was then charged with murder.

He was refused bail and will appear in Dubbo Local Court today (Tuesday 22 December 2015).

Inquiries continue.

A man has been charged and will face court following an investigation into a number of armed robberies in Newcastle City Local Area Command this year.

About 4.15pm on Friday 18 December 2015, a 35-year-old man was arrested in Kotara, after information was received from the public.

Detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Kent Street, Hamilton, and located and allegedly seized a shortened firearm, ammunition, and clothing items.

The man was taken to Newcastle police station and charged with robbery whilst armed with dangerous weapon (x3), shorten firearm (not pistol) unless authorised by permit and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.

The charges relate to the following alleged armed robberies:

– A post office in Broadmeadow on 1 October 2015,

– A pizza shop on Steel Street, Newcastle on 18 November 2015, and

– A post office in Adamstown on 15 December 2015.

The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 21 December 2015).

A man has been charged over a number of alleged offences, including possess prohibited firearm and goods in custody, following a siege in Carrington early this morning.

Just after 6am (Sunday 20 December 2015), officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command were called to Young Street, following reports of a man allegedly armed with a firearm in a unit.

Two women were in the unit with the man at the time of the incident, with one leaving shortly after police arrived at the scene.

Local police, with the assistance of NSW Police Negotiators and officers from the State Protection Support Unit, spoke to the man, and about 10am, he surrendered to police.

No one was injured during the incident.

Police searched the property, where they allegedly located a shortened firearm, tablets and a crystal substance believed to be illicit drugs, and a bicycle believed to have been stolen.

All items have been seized for forensic examination.

The 23-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with possess shortened firearm, possess ammunition, not keep firearm safe, and goods in custody.

He was refused bail, to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Monday 21 December 2015).

Investigations continue.

Police have located the body of a woman who went missing from Rathmines yesterday.

The 69-year-old woman was reported missing at 9pm (Friday 18 December 2015), after missing several appointments.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command commenced searches of the area.

Just after 4pm today (Saturday 19 December 2015), the woman was located deceased in bushland in Rathmines.

Initial inquiries have led police to believe her death is not suspicious.

Police thank the public and media for their assistance.

Police have charged a man with several drug matters after executing a search warrant at a home at Eleebana yesterday.

About 10.35am on Friday 18 December 2015 police from the Lake Macquarie Special Operation Group executed a search warrant at a home in Dwyer Chase.

Officers commenced a search of the garage area of the premises where they will allege that they located cannabis leaf, cannabis seeds, LSD, white powder and a white crystal substance.

Investigators also located a quantity of cash inside a safe with all items seized for further forensic analysis.

In two other rooms police seized a quantity of cannabis leaf and cannabis seeds.

In the garden officers located and seized 23 cannabis plants growing in individual plant-pots.

A 21-year-old man was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station where he was later charged with possess prohibited drug x 2, deem supply prohibited drug and deal in proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today.

Inquiries into the matter continue with further arrests and charges expected.

Police are investigating following a fatal crash at Wallsend overnight.

Just after 9pm (Wednesday 16 December 2015), emergency services were called to Thomas Street, at the intersection of Brooks Street, following reports of a crash.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and found a white Daewoo hatchback on its roof after it crashed into two other vehicles.

The 31-year-old male driver of the Daewoo died at the scene.

The female drivers of the two other vehicles – a silver Subaru Impreza and a black Kia Rio – suffered minor injuries and shock and were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics.

Both drivers were breath tested at the scene with a negative result.

Initial investigations suggest the Daewoo ran a red light before crashing into the other vehicles.

A crime scene was established and has been examined by specialist officers.

The intersection was closed for a short time but is now open in all directions.

Investigators are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to contact Newcastle City Police on (02) 4926 6599 or Crime Stoppers.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to these incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.