Police have released an image of a car in a renewed appeal for information after a man was shot near Lake Macquarie earlier this year.

About 6.40am on Monday 29 February 2016, police and emergency services were called to Stratton Street, Edgeworth, following reports of a shooting.

On arrival, officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command located a 30-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his shoulder.

He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. He has since been released.

A crime scene was established and an investigation commenced.

Investigators from Lake Macquarie Detectives formed Strike Force Gumbend to investigate the incident.

Following recent investigations; police have released an image of silver Commodore station wagon, which is similar to a car that was sighted in the area at the time of the incident.

Investigators are hoping that the release of the image will help jog someone’s memory of the incident and are appealing anyone with information to come forward.

A man will appear in court later this month after a service station employee was allegedly hit by a car at Charlestown last month.

Police allege a man went into a service station in Charlestown on Friday 22 April 2016, and purchased fuel without paying for it.

As the vehicle was attempting to leave, a 28-year-old service station employee attempted to block the car’s path.

During the incident, the car came into contact with the employee before leaving the area; however, the employee was not seriously injured.

After an investigation by police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command, a 42-year-old man was arrested yesterday (Tuesday 3 May 2016). .

He has been charged with

• Assault

• Stealing from a dwelling

• Stealing from a retail store (two counts)

• Fraud, and

• Driving with an obscured number plate.

The man was granted conditional bail and will appear in Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 25 May 2016.

A probationary member of the Rural Fire Service has been charged after allegedly starting bushfires in the state’s Hunter Region.

Strike Force Billett was established by the Property Crime Squad’s Arson Unit to investigate more than 100 bushfires in the Cessnock area between August 2015 and April 2016.

As a result of their inquiries, a 20-year-old man was arrested at a fire at Lochinvar about 2pm yesterday (Thursday 28 April 2016).

Following a search of the man’s vehicle, investigators also located and seized accelerants and a number of mobile phones.

The man, who is a probationary member of the Rural Fire Service, was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with five counts of cause fire and be reckless to its spread, and trespass.

He has been refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Friday 29 April 2016).

A man has been charged over an alleged assault at Warners Bay.

Emergency services were called to John Street about 8pm (Monday 25 April 2016), where they found a man unconscious.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and were told the 46-year-old man was assaulted after leaving a nearby hotel.

He was taken to John Hunter Hospital where he remains with serious head injuries.

Following inquiries, a 36-year-old man was arrested at a home in Belmont this afternoon (Thursday 28 April 2016).

The man was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with recklessly cause grievous bodily harm.

He was given conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on 25 May 2016.

A teenager has died after being struck by a car at Warners Bay earlier this week.

The 15-year-old girl was crossing Hillsborough Road just before 5pm on Tuesday (26 April 2016), when she was hit by a Ford Laser.

The girl was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she died this afternoon (Thursday 28 April 2016).

The driver of the car, a 22-year-old woman, wasn’t injured.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command continue to investigate the incident and will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Police have conducted a three day shoplifting operation in Newcastle which has resulted in over 20 people allegedly being detected for the offence.

On Thursday 21 April, Tuesday 26 April, and Wednesday 27 April 2016, police conducted the operation at a shopping centre in Kotara, as well as two supermarkets in Waratah, after businesses reported consistent high volume losses as a result of shoplifting.

The operation involved police from Newcastle City Local Area Command, as well as store Loss Prevention Officers.

As a result of the operation police charged three people for shoplifting, and issued nine Criminal Infringement Notices (CINs) for shoplifting.

Police also dealt with six juveniles under the Young Offenders Act for shoplifting offences, and issued three on the spot cautions for minor theft.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command will continue to work with local businesses to reduce the instances of shoplifting and detect and prosecute those committing the offence.

Investigations continue after a teenage girl was hit by a car in Warners Bay yesterday.

Just before 5pm (Tuesday 26 April 2016), a 22-year-old woman was driving a Ford Laser west along Hillsborough Road.

At the same time, a 15-year old girl was crossing the road when she was hit by the car.

The teenager was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.

The driver was uninjured during the incident.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and commenced investigating the incident.

As inquiries continue, police are urging witnesses to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.

Police are conducting an investigation following an alleged child approach in Newcastle last week.

Just before 3pm on Thursday 21 April 2016, a 10-year-old boy was walking on Council Street, Wallsend, when he was approached by a man driving a grey hatchback.

Police have been told the man attempted to speak to the boy, and when the boy refused, the man got out of the vehicle and tried to grab the boy.

The 11-year-old boy ran away and reported the incident to a local business.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command were contacted and have commenced an investigation.

The man has been described as having a slim build, approximately 163cm tall, olive complexion, with brown hair and no teeth. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black jeans.

Police are urging anyone who might have information to contact Waratah Police Station 02 4926 6599 or Crime Stoppers.

Police are investigating after an armed robbery in Newcastle yesterday.

Just before 7am (Sunday 24 April 2016), a male shop assistant was behind the counter at a service station on Sandgate Road, Birmingham Gardens, when unknown man approached.

Police have been told the man, who was armed with a firearm, hit the window of the business fracturing the glass. He then walked over to the front door and kicked it open.

The male shop assistant ran out the side door of the business and contacted police.

It is believed the man took a number of cigarettes packets, before fleeing the scene.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.

As inquiries continue, police would like to speak to a man who was last seen wearing a dark hooded jacket, light grey tracksuit pants, blue joggers and blue and white striped bandana.