Police are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery near Maitland overnight.

About 8pm (Sunday 10 May 2015), a man entered a hotel via Young Street, Heddon Greta, and threatened the manager with a firearm.

The man fled the location with cash a short time later.

Witnesses saw the man getting into a vehicle that was parked on Young Street, near the intersection of Trenchard Street.

The vehicle was last seen heading north toward Cliftleigh.

No one was injured during the incident.

Officers attached to Central Hunter Local Area Command were contacted and launched an investigation.

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

Inquiries into the matter are continuing and police would now like to speak with a man who may be able to assist in the investigation.

The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his early 20s, about 178cm tall, with dark-coloured eyes and of a skinny build.

He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured hooded-jumper, long dark pants, tan-coloured garden style gloves and a white bandana across his face.

Anyone who knows the man’s identity, or has any information that could assist police, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Child Abuse Squad detectives have charged an 18-year-old man with the aggravated indecent assault of a four-year-old girl at a library in Cessnock, in the state’s Hunter region.

Police were told the girl was in the library’s play area on Wednesday 6 May 2015 when she was approached by an 18-year-old man.

The man allegedly kissed and touched the child before he was challenged by a witness. The man was not known to the child.

Detectives from the Child Abuse Squad at Newcastle commenced investigations and arrested an 18-year-old man at Cessnock Police Station on Friday afternoon.

He was charged with aggravated indecent assault and granted conditional bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 20 May 2015.

The Child Abuse Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate crimes against children, including sexual assault, physical abuse and serious cases of neglect. The squad works with the Department of Family and Community Services and NSW Health.

A business has been destroyed following a fire at Willow Tree in the Hunter Valley Local Area Command last night.

Just before 8pm (Saturday 9 May 2015), emergency services attended New England Highway after receiving information about a building well alight.

The antique store, which is no longer trading, was entirely engulfed in flames and as a precautionary measure neighbouring properties were evacuated.

As a result of the incident the highway was blocked for over four hours. No one was injured.

A crime scene has been established and an exclusion zone was implemented due to toxic smoke.

Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the incident; however, police are treating it as suspicious.

Emergency services have attended a boat fire at Lake Macquarie last night, which is not being treated as suspicious.

About 8.30pm (Friday 8 May 2015), a 60-year-old man was on a 35-foot vessel approximately 50 metres into Lake Macquarie, adjacent to Styles Point, Rathmines, when he noticed flames onboard.

The man fled on an attached safety boat and alerted emergency services.

He suffered minor injuries and did not require treatment. No one else was on the vessel at the time of the incident.

Fire Brigade officers extinguished the fire; however the boat had submerged under the water.

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

Initial inquiries have led police to believe the fire was not deliberately lit.

Marine Rescue officers with the assistance of the Fire Brigade are expected to bring the submerged vessel in this morning (Saturday 9 May 2015).

Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash yesterday, in the state’s Hunter region.

About 5.20pm (Friday 8 May 2015), a 21-year-old woman was travelling in a Ford Laser hatchback east along Richardson Road, Campvale.

Police have been told a 21-year-old woman was travelling in a Ford Focus west on the same road at the same time, when the two vehicles collided head-on in the west-bound lane.

Emergency services were called and both women were assisted out of the vehicles.

The women were treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where they remain in stable conditions.

No one else was injured during the incident.

Officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol – Hunter Crash Investigation Unit attended and commenced investigations.

A civilian employee of the NSW Police Force has been charged with driving offences.

About 1.45pm yesterday (7 May 2015), police from the Traffic and Highway Patrol’s Hunter Lakes Cluster attempted to stop a Nissan Navara at a stationary RBT site on The Esplanade, Warners Bay.

The car allegedly failed to stop. Police followed the vehicle and stopped it a short time later on Thompson Road.

The driver, a 55-year-old man, was spoken to and issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for driving under the influence, dangerous driving, and failing-to-stop driving offences.

The man is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on 10 June 2015.

Two men have been charged over an alleged attempt to rob a hotel in Lake Macquarie overnight.

Three men entered the hotel on Main Road at Cardiff about 11.40pm (Tuesday 5 May 2015), allegedly armed with a knife and sledgehammer.

They allegedly threatened a staff member but were unable to get cash from the safe and fled when police arrived.

Two men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested a short time later by police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command.

They were taken to Toronto Police Station where they were each charged with assault with intent to rob while armed with an offensive weapon.

They were refused bail to appear in Toronto Local Court today (Wednesday 6 May 2015).

Police are looking for a third person.

Police have delivered another blow to illegal street-racing in the Hunter Valley by blocking off all known “hoon” hot spots in Newcastle.

Officers from the Newcastle City Local Area Command and the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command are conducting a joint crackdown against dangerous driving behaviour, such as street-racing and ‘burn outs,’ in the region.

As part of the blitz, named Operation Hammer, police last night joined Roads and Maritime Services and the Port of Newcastle in an unprecedented lock down of Kooragang Island, the Steel River Industrial Estate, Wharf Road at Nobbies Beach and a number of beach side car parks.

Newcastle City Local Area Commander, John Gralton, has delivered a clear message to the scores of “hoons” who converge on Newcastle on a regular basis.

“We will continue to deploy police to block access to the known street-racing strips and ‘burn out’ locations until these drivers realise they are not welcome here,” Superintendent Gralton warned.

“If we catch them breaking the law, they risk not only a substantial fine and possibly a criminal driving record, but potential de-registration of the vehicle.” He added.

“Many of these drivers are young so we are also looking for a helping hand from their parents who might be able to talk some common sense into them.
“We plan to let them know just what their children are up to, often in the family car.

“We are not targeting law-abiding car enthusiasts or those who want to showcase their pride and joys,” Superintendent Gralton added, “We’re targeting law breakers, those who engage in illegal and dangerous driving that could end up hurting themselves or others.”

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command have charged a number of men following investigations into illegal firearm and drug activity in the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Port Stephens areas.

Strike Force Barsdell commenced in January, and culminated in the arrest of five men for offences ranging from firearm possession and supply, to supply a commercial quantity of prohibited drugs.

A total of five search warrants were executed, commencing on 16 January, 2015 where a search of a North Belmont premises allegedly uncovered a firearm and a quantity of drugs.

A 33-year-old man was arrested and charged with possess firearm and drug possession. He will appear in Belmont Local Court in 6 May 2015.

Another warrant was executed on Monday 27 April, 2015 at a Boolaroo premises, where police allegedly located cash, a vehicle, and a quantity of amphetamine.

A 30-year-old man was arrested and charged with ongoing supply of firearms and ongoing supply of prohibited drug. He was refused bail and will appear at Belmont Local Court on 10 June, 2015.

A third warrant was executed on 27 April, 2015, at a premises in Broadmeadow. Police allegedly located a quantity of amphetamine, ammunition and other property. A-24-year-old man was arrested and charged with supply firearm, possess firearm, possess ammunition, custody of a knife, and drive while suspended.

He was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court on 6 May, 2015.

The fourth and fifth warrants were executed on Tuesday 28 April, 2015, at a residential and a business premises in Hamilton. At these locations police seized a quantity of cannabis, cash and a Taser. A 71-year-old man was arrested and charged with supply commercial quantity of drug and supply indictable quantity of drug.

The man was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court on 6 May, 2015.

On Wednesday 29 April, 2015 investigators also searched a property at Salt Ash and seized a further two firearms linked to this investigation.

Lake Macquarie Commander, Superintendent Brett Greentree, said local police officers were committed to reducing drug supply in the area.

“We are extremely pleased with this result. Arresting and charging those who engage in the supply of illicit drugs and firearms is a primary priority for our local area command and our investigations into these criminal enterprises will continue,” Supt Greentree said.

“In total, we seized 195 grams of amphetamine, 10kg of cannabis, over $250,000 in cash, seven firearms and a Taser. This is a very pleasing result.”