A man has been charged and will face court following an investigation into a number of armed robberies in Newcastle City Local Area Command this year.

About 4.15pm on Friday 18 December 2015, a 35-year-old man was arrested in Kotara, after information was received from the public.

Detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Kent Street, Hamilton, and located and allegedly seized a shortened firearm, ammunition, and clothing items.

The man was taken to Newcastle police station and charged with robbery whilst armed with dangerous weapon (x3), shorten firearm (not pistol) unless authorised by permit and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.

The charges relate to the following alleged armed robberies:

– A post office in Broadmeadow on 1 October 2015,

– A pizza shop on Steel Street, Newcastle on 18 November 2015, and

– A post office in Adamstown on 15 December 2015.

The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 21 December 2015).

A man has been charged over a number of alleged offences, including possess prohibited firearm and goods in custody, following a siege in Carrington early this morning.

Just after 6am (Sunday 20 December 2015), officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command were called to Young Street, following reports of a man allegedly armed with a firearm in a unit.

Two women were in the unit with the man at the time of the incident, with one leaving shortly after police arrived at the scene.

Local police, with the assistance of NSW Police Negotiators and officers from the State Protection Support Unit, spoke to the man, and about 10am, he surrendered to police.

No one was injured during the incident.

Police searched the property, where they allegedly located a shortened firearm, tablets and a crystal substance believed to be illicit drugs, and a bicycle believed to have been stolen.

All items have been seized for forensic examination.

The 23-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with possess shortened firearm, possess ammunition, not keep firearm safe, and goods in custody.

He was refused bail, to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Monday 21 December 2015).

Investigations continue.

Police have located the body of a woman who went missing from Rathmines yesterday.

The 69-year-old woman was reported missing at 9pm (Friday 18 December 2015), after missing several appointments.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command commenced searches of the area.

Just after 4pm today (Saturday 19 December 2015), the woman was located deceased in bushland in Rathmines.

Initial inquiries have led police to believe her death is not suspicious.

Police thank the public and media for their assistance.

Police have charged a man with several drug matters after executing a search warrant at a home at Eleebana yesterday.

About 10.35am on Friday 18 December 2015 police from the Lake Macquarie Special Operation Group executed a search warrant at a home in Dwyer Chase.

Officers commenced a search of the garage area of the premises where they will allege that they located cannabis leaf, cannabis seeds, LSD, white powder and a white crystal substance.

Investigators also located a quantity of cash inside a safe with all items seized for further forensic analysis.

In two other rooms police seized a quantity of cannabis leaf and cannabis seeds.

In the garden officers located and seized 23 cannabis plants growing in individual plant-pots.

A 21-year-old man was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station where he was later charged with possess prohibited drug x 2, deem supply prohibited drug and deal in proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today.

Inquiries into the matter continue with further arrests and charges expected.

Police are investigating following a fatal crash at Wallsend overnight.

Just after 9pm (Wednesday 16 December 2015), emergency services were called to Thomas Street, at the intersection of Brooks Street, following reports of a crash.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and found a white Daewoo hatchback on its roof after it crashed into two other vehicles.

The 31-year-old male driver of the Daewoo died at the scene.

The female drivers of the two other vehicles – a silver Subaru Impreza and a black Kia Rio – suffered minor injuries and shock and were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics.

Both drivers were breath tested at the scene with a negative result.

Initial investigations suggest the Daewoo ran a red light before crashing into the other vehicles.

A crime scene was established and has been examined by specialist officers.

The intersection was closed for a short time but is now open in all directions.

Investigators are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to contact Newcastle City Police on (02) 4926 6599 or Crime Stoppers.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to these incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Police are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery in Adamstown yesterday.

Just before 3.30pm (Tuesday 15 December 2015), a man entered a post office on Brunker Road and threatened two employees with what appeared to be a firearm.

He forced himself behind a security counter and demanded cash.

The man grabbed a till containing cash before he fled the scene, and was last seen running through the grounds of a nearby church.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene.

Police would like to speak with a man who may be able to assist them with inquiries.

He is described as being aged about 25 to 35-years-old with a stocky build.

He was last seen wearing a long-sleeved light-coloured business shirt, long trousers and a “Panama” style hat with a light-coloured face covering.

Detectives from Newcastle City Local Area Command are investigating the incident and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Police are releasing CCTV footage following investigations into an attempted armed robbery at a newsagency in Thornton last month.

About 4pm on Tuesday 17 November an employee was working behind the counter of a newsagency on Railway Avenue when a man entered the store armed with a knife.

Upon seeing the weapon the 57-year-old employee grabbed a baseball bat that was behind the counter and challenged the armed man.

The man holding the knife ran from the store empty handed and was seen getting into a silver dual or single cab utility that was parked nearby.

The man has been described as Caucasian in appearance and wearing a navy hoodie and beige shorts with silver and black sneakers and a white bandanna.

Anyone with information about this attempted robbery is asked to call Maitland Detectives or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police have released images of two men who may be able to assist with inquires following a stealing from a truck and subsequent frauds in the Newcastle area yesterday.

Between 8am and 8.20am (Monday 14 December 2015), unknown persons broke into a white Isuzu table-top truck on Brooks Street, Cooks Hill, and stole a wallet containing credit cards.

The credit cards were then allegedly used in fraud and attempted frauds at a number of stores in Newcastle and surrounding suburbs throughout the morning (Monday 14 December 2015).

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command are investigating the incidents and have released CCTV images of three men who men be able to assist with inquiries.

The first is described as being Caucasian in appearance, aged in his late 20s or early 30s, with a large build, wearing a grey baseball cap, blue vest with yellow zipper, dark shorts and white joggers.

The second man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his early 20s, with a skinny build, wearing a black baseball cap with grey peak, red shoes and beige shorts. He has tattoos on his left neck, left forearm, and a tattoo of the Southern Cross on his right forearm.

A third man, not shown in the images, is described as having a skinny build, wearing a white shirt, beige shorts and a dark baseball cap.

Police are urging anyone who knows the identity or whereabouts of the men, or who has information about the incidents, to call Newcastle Police on (02) 4926 6599 or via Crimestoppers.

Police have charged a man after an Ambulance Paramedic was assaulted in Newcastle overnight.

During the evening of Monday 14 December 2015 a 48-year-old man was conveyed by Ambulance Paramedics from Maryville to the Mater Hospital at Waratah.

Shortly after 9pm the man was in the triage area awaiting treatment when he attempted to get off the trolley and it became unstable.

A 41-year-old male Ambulance Paramedic attempted to steady the trolley and was punched in the face twice.

The man was restrained and the Paramedic was treated for minor injuries.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and arrested the 48-year-old man who was conveyed to Waratah Police Station.

He was subsequently charged with assault and granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on 21 January 2016