A man will face court following an alleged domestic-related break-in near Newcastle today.

About 4.30am (Sunday 9 August 2015), a man allegedly smashed a window to gain entry into his former partner’s unit on Howe Street, Lambton.

A male friend of the resident was inside the unit at the time and became involved in a scuffle with the man, who was armed with a knife.

The friend of the resident was able to apprehend the man and contact police.

The male friend suffered a small laceration across his back but declined medical treatment.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and arrested a 34-year-old man at the scene.

He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with aggravated break and enter with intent whilst armed.

The man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Monday 10 August 2015).

An off-duty police officer has been charged with a drink-driving offence.

Shortly after 11pm yesterday (Friday 7 August 2015), officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle on the Pacific Highway, Charlestown, and subjected the driver to a random breath test.

The male driver was arrested after returning a positive roadside breath test.

He was taken to Charlestown Police Station, where a breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.063.

The officer, who is attached to Northern Region, was issued with a Future Court Attendance Notice for low-range PCA.

He is due to appear at the Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 2 September 2015.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding an aggravated break-in at a home at Cooks Hill earlier today.

About 3am (Thursday 6 August 2015), a 75-year-old man was at his Tooke Street home with his 68-year-old wife.

The man heard a noise at the rear glass sliding door and went to investigate.

He walked into the back room of the premises and saw a man attempting to force entry.

The offender was unsuccessful and was seen to walk around the front of the home and force entry through the front door.

He confronted the two occupants in the hallway of the home and demanded their wallets while threatening them with a screwdriver.

He walked into the couple’s bedroom and stole a mobile phone and a wallet before running from the premises.

A handbag belonging to the 68-year-old woman was located in the driveway.

Police from Newcastle Local Area Command attended the home and an investigation was commenced.

The man has been described as Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander in appearance, 20-30-years-old with a thin build and average height. At the time of the incident he was wearing a light grey coloured jacket with the hood over his head,

Neither occupant was injured during the break-in, and police are now appealing for anyone with information to contact them at Newcastle Police Station on (02)4929 0999, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police seized prohibited drugs and an electronic stun device disguised as a mobile phone during a search of a home in Windale today.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command executed the search warrant in Myall Street about 10.30am (Wednesday 5 August 2015).

During the search, police seized an electronic stun device disguised as a mobile phone, along with drug paraphernalia.

Officers also searched a 26-year-old man who lives at the residence, during which they allegedly located an amount of methylamphetmine (“Ice”) inside his shoe.

Police arrested the man and took him to Charlestown Police Station, where he was charged with possess drug, possess prohibited weapon, and operate drug house.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 6 August 2015).

Also located inside the premises was a 17-year-old male. He was arrested and charged in relation to five outstanding warrants.

He will appear before a children’s court tomorrow.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command are appealing for information to help locate a woman wanted by virtue of outstanding warrants.

Melissa Hardy, 27, currently has two outstanding warrants for her arrest, for stealing and breach of a good-behaviour bond.

She’s been known to reside in the Mayfield and Hamilton South areas.

Melissa Hardy is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 160 to 165cm tall, 50 to 55kg in weight, with a medium build, brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information about Melissa Hardy’s whereabouts should contact Newcastle Police on 0249 290999 or Crime Stoppers.

A 44-year-old man has been charged with assault causing death after a man died near Newcastle yesterday.

Around 3pm (Tuesday 4 August 2015), emergency services were called to an industrial site on Old Maitland Road at Sandgate where they found a 45-year-old man unconscious.

The 45-year-old was taken to John Hunter Hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and were told two men had been involved in an argument following a minor collision between a truck and a forklift.

A 44-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Waratah Police Station where he was later charged with assault causing death.

Bail refused, he is scheduled to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 5 August 2015).