Assistance is being sought from the public to identify two people who robbed a service station in the Lake Macquarie area overnight.

It was about 6.30pm (Saturday 13 August 2016), when two people – who had their faces covered – approached the business on the Pacific Highway at Highfields.

The store attendant locked the doors but the two people – and one of whom was armed with an iron bar – forced their way inside; the attendant then ran into the store room.

The couple took cash and ran from the store and police were alerted.

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command established a crime scene and specialist forensic officers were called in.

Police now have descriptions of two people they believe can assist with this investigation.

The first person is male, described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall and a medium build. At the time the man was wearing black three-quarter shorts and black shoes.

The second person is female, described as also being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall and a thin build with blonde hair. At the time she was wearing blue track pants with white stripes and shoes.

Both had their faces covered.

A man has been charged following a barricade situation near Newcastle today.

About 11.50am (Saturday 13 August 2016), police were called to a home on Macquarie Street, Wallsend, after reports a man was refusing to leave the premises.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and spoke to a 42-year-old man.

It’s alleged the man became aggressive towards police and refused to leave, making a number of threats.

A perimeter was established and with assistance from police negotiators the man was arrested about 5.30pm.

The 42-year-old was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with destroy or damage property (DV) and served with an AVO.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Sunday 14 August 2016).

Police are investigating following a fatal crash near Newcastle this afternoon.

About 3.40pm (Friday 12 August 2016), emergency services were called to the Pacific Motorway at Beresfield, following reports of a collision between a motorcycle and a B-double in the north-bound lane.

The rider was assisted by Ambulance Paramedics; however died at the scene.

The driver of the truck was uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

No further details are known at this stage.

A man has been charged after a road rage incident between two neighbours in the Lake Macquarie area.

About 10.30pm yesterday (Thursday 11 August 2016), two vehicles almost collided on Newark Street, Buttaba.

After the incident the two male drivers arrived at their homes nearby and became involved in an argument, during which one of the men, aged 41, allegedly threatened the other man, aged 26.

The older man then allegedly retrieved a slug gun from his home and fired it at the other man’s house.

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended.

Inside the 41-year-old’s home police allegedly seized a slug gun which had a shortened barrel.

He was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with malicious damage and firearm offences including possess shortened firearm in manner likely to injure property/person.

He was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Friday 12 August 2016).

Shortly before 5pm yesterday (Thursday 11 August 2016), a 57-year-old woman was walking home on Shepherds Place, Newcastle west when she was approached from behind by a man.

A man grabbed the handbag from the 57-year-old woman and tried to pull it away from her. As a result the woman fell to the ground, hitting her head.

The man was last seen on foot heading towards Newcastle foreshore.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended the location and conducted a search of the area; however the man was not located.

Investigators are appealing for witnesses and, in particular would like to speak with a man who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.

He is described as being aged in his 30’s, with long brown curly shoulder length hair, wearing a white t-shirt with red stripes and dark blue/black tracksuit pants.

Police are appealing for assistance to help locate a man missing from the Newcastle area.

Stephen James Morris, 50 old, was last seen at his work address in Newcastle shortly after 7:30am on Tuesday 9 August, 2016.

Police were alerted after he couldn’t be located or contacted by family and friends, which is out of character for Mr Morris.

It is believed Mr. Morris is driving a Silver Subaru Forester with NSW registration plates FDR-729.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, with a medium build and blue eyes, clean shaven with short greying hair. He has a distinctive grey fleck in the front of his hairline.

Mr. Morris was last seen wearing grey Reebok joggers, dark grey/faded jeans, a navy ‘V’ neck style jumper and a black hooded jacket.

Police and relatives hold grave concerns for his welfare and are appealing for anyone who may have seen him or his vehicle to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man has been arrested following a barricade situation near Newcastle this afternoon.

About 3.15pm (Wednesday 10 August 2016), emergency services were called to Second Street, Boolaroo, as part of investigations into an alleged domestic-related incident.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and attempted to speak to the man inside.

A perimeter was established and local police were assisted by police negotiators.

About 5.30pm, police forced entry into the house and arrested the 44-year-old man without incident.

He was taken to Belmont Police Station where he is assisting with inquiries.

A woman will appear in court tomorrow after police allegedly located drugs, a gun and ammunition during a search of a home at Newcastle.

Strike Force Malsbury was established by officers attached to Newcastle Local Area Command in April 2016 to target the supply of prohibited drugs in the area.

Following ongoing inquiries, police stopped a car on Macquarie Street, Wallsend, about 9am today (Wednesday 10 August 2016), and arrested the 32-year-old female driver.

Investigators subsequently attended a home unit on Newcastle Road, where they executed a search warrant.

During the search, officers allegedly located cannabis and amphetamines.

Officers also allegedly located a loaded rifle, ammunition, various electronic devices and cash.

The woman was taken to Newcastle Police Station where she was charged with 32 offences including:

• Supply prohibited drug,
• Possess prohibited drug,
• Deal with proceeds of crime,
• Possess unauthorised firearm,
• Not keep firearm safely,
• Possess ammunition, and
• Disqualified driver.

She was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 11 August 2016).

Police have charged a man with intimidation after a 16-year-old girl was allegedly approached and chased in Newcastle West this morning.

The teenager told police she was on Wood Street, Newcastle, about 8.20am today (Tuesday 9 August 2016), when she noticed a man walking towards her.

Police will allege the girl crossed the road but was followed and then chased.

A number of onlookers intervened and police arrived a short time later.

A 42-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Newcastle Police Station.

He was charged with stalk/intimidate and refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 10 August 2016).

Meanwhile, police are investigating the alleged approach of two women by a man between 7am and 7.30am at Islington Park this morning.

They ask anyone with information about those incidents to come forward.

Police are appealing for public assistance after a sexual assault in the Lake Macquarie area.

About 7.30pm yesterday (Sunday 7 August 2016), a 25-year-old woman was standing under Five Islands Bridge on Creek Reserve Road at Speers Point, when she was grabbed from behind by a man not known to her.

The man threatened her with a knife and then sexually assaulted her before leaving the scene.

The woman reported the incident to police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command, who have commenced an investigation.

The man is described as having a skinny build, short dark hair, at least 188cm tall, wearing white shoes, a dark blue jumper and dark pants.