Police have responded after receiving reports of an awning collapse in Charlestown today.

About 3.15pm (Friday 15 May 2015), a State Transit bus stopped on the eastern kerb of Pearson Street to drop passengers off.
Police have been told as bus left the bus zone when it turned sharply to avoid a nearby truck, which allegedly had been parked in a ‘no parking’ zone.

The bus collided with a standalone pedestrian glass awning, causing the awning to collapse.

A 16-year-old girl and a 32-year-old woman standing nearby suffered minor cuts, and were treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and have commenced investigations.

Inquiries into the incident continue.

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has partnered with NSW Police Force and other agencies in an ongoing joint agency operation cracking down on ‘car hoons’ in Newcastle.

The operation continued yesterday from 4.30pm to 11pm (Thursday 14 May 2015), when an enforcement campaign was conducted on the streets of Newcastle.

The campaign involved ‘car hoon’ locations, such as Kooragang Island, where ‘hoon’ activity was restricted with the support of Roads and Maritime Services and Newcastle Ports.

Such activity was also restricted at a number of other locations across the city through a strong police presence.

The EPA provided its support by inspecting vehicles and detecting offences. A total of eight EPA referrals were made by police, with four EPA defects issued and three EPA infringements, including noise restrictions and exhaust emission offences.

Nine drivers were also tested for illicit drugs, with two allegedly returning positive results. Police issued 13 other traffic infringements and seven defects.

Chief Inspector Dean Olsen from Newcastle City Local Area Command said the operation was well received and would continue as long as the illegal activity occurs.

“During the operation, police received positive feedback from heavy vehicle drivers who frequent the vicinity; they were thankful of the efforts to improve road safety in the areas they need to access for work.

“Driving recklessly and dangerously on our roads will not be tolerated by police and other agencies, and anyone caught risking lives on our roads will be caught,” Ch Insp Olsen said.

The joint initiative continues.

A female pedestrian has died following a crash at Stockton, near Newcastle, yesterday afternoon.

About 4.30pm (Thursday 14 May 2015), a 68-year-old woman, from the Byron Bay area, was on the Stockton break wall near King Street, when she was struck by a white Toyota Hilux.

The 30-year-old male driver and witnesses commenced CPR until NSW Ambulance Paramedics arrived; however the woman was unable to be revived.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command were contacted and launched an investigation into the incident.

A crime scene was established at the location and examined by forensic specialists.

The driver, from Stockton, underwent mandatory blood and urine tests.

Inquiries into the matter are continuing and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

A man will appear in court today after allegedly stealing a woman’s purse at a hotel near Lake Macquarie.

About 3:30pm, Thursday 14th May 2015, a woman was celebrating her birthday at a hotel on Ntaba Road, Jewells.

In the poker machine area, a man allegedly stole a purse out of the 59-year-old woman’s bag before running from the hotel.

The woman and other patrons chased the man and police were notified.

Patrolling Traffic & Highway Patrol officers located a 20-year-old man in a nearby backyard.

Police searched the man and seized cash, a folding knife and small quantity of methylamphetamine.

He was taken to Charlestown Police Station and charged with steal from person, two counts of enter enclosed lands, possession of a knife in a public place, possession of a prohibited drug and an outstanding warrant.

The Gateshead man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 15 May 2015).

Police have charged a man following an alleged domestic-related incident in Windale last night.

About 9.40pm (Wednesday 13 May 2015), a 30-year-old man became involved in an argument with a woman outside a unit in Myall Street.

The man left the location and returned to his own nearby residence and allegedly armed himself with a knife. The woman then contacted police.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command were alerted to the incident and secured the area.

Specialist police including police negotiators were also in attendance.

At 11.15pm, the man surrendered to police and was arrested and conveyed to Charlestown Police Station.

He was charged with common assault and stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear/physical harm.

The man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 14 May 2015).

A man has been charged after allegedly trying to use counterfeit currency at a hotel in Warners Bay yesterday.

The man entered the hotel on Lake Street shortly before 2pm on Tuesday 12 May 2015 and allegedly attempted to pay for an item with a $50 note.

The employee refused the note as it was of poor quality and the man left the hotel allegedly discarding several notes outside.

These notes were retrieved by patrons and handed to staff members who contacted police.

A short time later police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and seized the currency.

Officers then spoke to the man and several associates who were in another section of the premises.

The man was eventually arrested and conveyed to Charlestown Police Station where he was charged with possess counterfeit money and utter counterfeit money.

The 22-year-old Mayfield man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.

A man has been charged after allegedly producing a replica firearm following a traffic incident at Glendale, near Lake Macquarie today.

About 1.30pm (Tuesday 12 May 2015), a car and a white Isuzu tipper truck were travelling south along Lake Road at Wallsend, when the occupants of both vehicles allegedly exchanged finger gestures following a traffic incident.

Police were told both vehicles came to be side-by-side and the driver of the Isuzu truck allegedly pointed a silver handgun at the occupants of the car.

The two occupants of the car pulled in behind the truck and contacted police.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command located the truck driving along Racecourse Road at Teralba.

The truck and its three occupants were stopped and searched by police and a silver plastic replica handgun was allegedly located inside the cabin.

The 21-year-old driver of the truck was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station where he was charged with possess unauthorised pistol and two counts of common assault.

He was given conditional bail to appear at Toronto Local Court on Wednesday 27 May 2015.

Police have released an image of a man they believe can assist with their inquiries into an incident where a man performed a lewd act in front of two children at Waratah last week.

About 3.15pm on Thursday 7 May 2015, a man approached two children, both aged 12.

Police have been told the man exposed himself and then performed a lewd act in front of the children.

The offender then fled from the area and police were contacted.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended a short time later but could not locate the man. The children were not injured during the incident.

Investigators have obtained a CCTV image of a man they believe may be able to assist them with their inquiries.

The man in the image is described as being of Caucasian appearance and between 30 and 40 years old. He had a medium complexion, average height and slim build.

He is described as wearing a dark blue hooded jacket, white shorts, heavy shoes, a red peaked baseball cap and was carrying a blue bag.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1 800 333 000.

Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and a reward of up to $1000 is payable for information which leads to an arrest.

Police have charged two men following a police pursuit at Newcastle overnight.

About 1.40am today (Tuesday 12 May 2015), an off duty police officer observed suspicious behaviour by two men who were approaching unattended cars in a car park at New Lambton.

A short time later police from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and observed two men in a stolen vehicle.

The officers drove towards the stolen car and activated their warning lights and sirens but the men’s vehicle mounted the footpath and drove away.

As the stolen vehicle entered the confines of the nearby Harker Oval a police pursuit commenced.

The officers were able to follow and observe the stolen car from a road that adjoins the oval which is surrounded by cyclone fencing.

The driver of the stolen car attempted to ram the fence in order to escape but the vehicle became trapped.

Both men were arrested without incident and conveyed to Waratah Police Station.

The 22-year-old driver from Summerland Point was charged with Skyes Law (pursuit), suspended driver, drive conveyance without consent of owner and outstanding warrants.

The 18-year-old from Belmont was charged with being carried in a conveyance and an outstanding warrant.

Both men were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.