Police have commenced an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding an overnight aggravated break and enter where a man suffered a gunshot wound near Lake Macquarie.

About 2.20am today (Saturday 14 May 2016), emergency services were called to a property on Weir Road, Teralba following reports of a break-in.
Initial investigations suggest three males allegedly broke into a shed at the rear of the property.

The 58-year-old male owner, who was disturbed by his dogs barking, went to investigate and became involved in a struggle with an armed man.

During the scuffle, the firearm discharged and the offender was shot in the leg. The three males fled from the area and emergency services were contacted.

The 58-year-old man was not injured during the incident.

Police arrived and established a crime scene at the location.
Following an extensive search of the area, officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command with the assistance of the Dog Squad located a 30-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his leg.

He was treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics and conveyed to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Investigators continue with their inquiries and have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Police have released CCTV images and are appealing for public assistance following a robbery in a north western suburb of Newcastle last month.

Around 6.19am on Tuesday (26 April, 2016) a 19-year-old man was walking along Warabrook Boulevard at Warabrook where he was robbed.

He was then forced to a nearby automated teller machine where cash was withdrawn from his account.

Officers from Newcastle Local Area Command attended the scene and commenced an investigation.

As part of their ongoing inquiries, detectives have now released CCTV images of a man they believe may be able to assist them.

The depicted man is described as being aged in his 20s, of dark complexion, of average height, with a medium build. He is seen in the image wearing a blue chequered jacket, and tracksuit pants.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Newcastle Detectives on (02) 4929 0055 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police have seized a firearm, ammunition, and drugs from a home in the Lake Macquarie area.

About 12pm yesterday (Tuesday 10 May 2016), Lake Macquarie Detectives were assisted by officers from the Tactical Operations Unit in executing a search warrant at a home in Station Street, Bonnells Bay.

In the roof cavity, its alleged police located and seized a shortened single-barrelled shotgun.

Police also seized ammunition and a small amount of cannabis during the search.

A 25-year-old man who had an outstanding warrant was arrested near the property and was taken to Belmont Police Station where his warrant was executed.

He was also charged with possessing a shortened firearm without authority, possessing ammunition without holding licence/permit, not keep firearm safely, and possessing a prohibited drug.

The man was refused bail due to the outstanding warrant. He will appear before Toronto Local Court today (Wednesday 11 May 2016).

In relation to the weapon and drug offences, the man is due to appear at the same court on Wednesday 25 May 2016.

Police have charged a cyclist who will appear in court next month after allegedly assaulting a police officer in Wallsend overnight.

About 2.40am today (Wednesday 11 May 2016) police were patrolling the Wallsend CBD when they noticed a cyclist riding without a helmet.

The officers spoke to the man who allegedly swore at them and rode away.

The man was again sighted on Cowper Street and the officers attempted to stop the man and speak with him.

An altercation ensued and one officer was punched in the face and sustained a dislocated shoulder during the arrest. A second officer suffered hand injuries.

The 25-year-old man suffered some minor facial injuries during the arrest.

The man was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, resist arrest and traffic offences.

He was granted conditional bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 9 June 2016.

The male officers were later treated at John Hunter Hospital for their injuries.

A man has died and a woman was injured after a four-vehicle crash north of Newcastle this morning.

The crash happened on the New England Highway at Beresfield when a Mitsubishi rigid truck, a Hilux utility, a Holden Captiva and a Rav4 were involved in a collision about 8.45am (Tuesday 10 May 2016).

The driver of the utility, a 30-year-old man from Ettalong, sustained multiple injuries and died at the scene.

The driver of the Rav4, a 55-year-old woman from Thornton, was trapped within the wreckage of her vehicle before being released and taken to John hunter Hospital with suspected back injuries.

The driver of the truck, a 55-year-old man from Butterwick, and the driver of the Captiva, a 49-year-old woman from Metford, were uninjured.

Traffic on the New England Highway was disrupted for more than six hours.

Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit is continuing this inquiries and are asking anyone with information to contact them via Crime Stoppers.

A man has been charged after allegedly indecently assaulting a young girl on a bus near Charlestown earlier this week.

About 3.45pm on Wednesday (4 May 2016), a man got on a bus at Frederick Street, Charlestown and sat down next to a 6-year-old girl.

He allegedly spoke to the girl before indecently assaulting her. He got off the bus a short time later at Gateshead.

The girl continued on her journey and reported the matter to her mother, who in turn contacted police.

About 10.20am today (Saturday 7 May 2016), following investigations, officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command arrested a 48-year-old man in Charlestown.

He was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with aggravated indecent assault.

He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on 22 June 2016.

Protestors are being informed that unlawful or dangerous behaviour will not be tolerated during planned demonstrations this weekend.

Police are aware that a group is planning a protest on land and water at Newcastle in the lead up to and on Sunday 8 May 2016.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command and the Marine Area Command have been liaising with relevant agencies about the protest.

Newcastle Local Area Commander Superintendent John Gralton said police have received formal notification of the group’s intent to hold the protest.

“We have commenced planning a police operation to ensure the demonstration is carried out lawfully and peacefully.”

“Police will be focussed on working to minimise the impact of any possible demonstration on the wider community.

“We recognise and support the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly in a safe environment. We also have to ensure members of the public can go about their normal everyday activities without unnecessary impact,” Supt Gralton said.

Supt Gralton added that police will not tolerate unlawful behaviour or any action that risks the safety of others.

“This includes protestors who endanger their own safety. Anyone who breaks the law will be dealt with accordingly,” Supt Gralton said.

The police operation will include officers from the Newcastle Local Area Command, Marine Area Command, Operations Support Group, Airwing and Police Rescue.

A man will appear in court tomorrow after police charged him with numerous break and enter offences, escaping police custody and breach of bail.

Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command have been investigating a number of break-ins at commercial premises within the Maitland CBD over the last week.

Investigators have been following several lines of inquiry into the incidents.

Earlier today (Wednesday 4 May 2016), a 29-year-old man was arrested in Maitland CBD by investigators from Central Hunter Local Area Command.

The man was handcuffed but allegedly ran from police; however, he was recaptured after a short foot pursuit.

He was taken to Maitland Police Station and later charged with 13 counts of break and enter, escape police custody and breach of bail.

The man was refused bail and is to appear at Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 5 May 2016).

Police are appealing for public assistance to identify an offender who broke into a woman’s home and committed a lewd act in Newcastle.

About 5am on Tuesday 3 May 2016, a 52-year-old woman was in her home on Woodstock Street, Mayfield, when a male person entered her home.

The man entered the victim’s bedroom, at which time she woke up and sighted him..

The victim got up and followed the man to a veranda where he performed lewd acts towards her, before leaving the premises.

The man is described as being male, early 30’s, Caucasian, slim build with short brown hair.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, Newcastle Police Station on 02349 29099 or Waratah Police Station on 0249 266599.