Several Australian war service medals stolen from a house in Lake Macquarie have been recovered by police.

On Tuesday 24 November 2015, the war medals were stolen from a house in Tingira Heights following a break and enter at the location.

Police from Lake Macquarie Special Operations Group attended and commenced an investigation.

As a result of this investigation, police were able to locate all of the medals which include:

– One British War Medal

– Two sets of World War Two Medals 1939 – 1945

– Two sets of Australia Service Medal 1939–1945

– One Z Special Commando Unit lapel badge

– One Pacific Star

– One defence Medal (United Kingdom)

– One 1939–45 Star

– One Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975

Police from Lake Macquarie Special Operations Group will be returning the medals to their owner’s family on Friday 27 March 2015 at Swansea Police Station.

The owner’s family plan to wear the medals during ANZAC day celebrations next month.

Police from Newcastle Local Area Command are appealing for information to locate a man wanted by virtue of outstanding warrants.

Neil Robertson, aged 31, is currently wanted on a revocation of parole warrant.

Robertson is described as being Caucasian, 160 to 165cm tall, of medium build, with a number of tattoos on his body.

He is known to frequent Beresfield, Woodberry, Maitland and surrounding areas.

If members of the public have information that can assist in locating Robertson they are requested to contact their local police or Newcastle Police Station (02) 4929 0999.

A man who was reported missing from Maitland Hospital has been located.

The 86-year-old man went missing on Monday (23 March 2015) from Maitland Hospital.

As a result, Central Hunter Local Area Command commenced a search for the man. This search utilised officers attached to the Central Hunter Local Area Command, Newcastle Police Rescue, Hunter Region SES and the Dog Unit.

About 11am (Thursday 26 March 2015), an officer attached to the Dog Unit, Senior Constable Wynn, and his dog, ‘Ulrich’, commenced their search around Bonar Street, Maitland, which is 200 metres from the hospital.

Shortly afterwards, police dog, Ulrich, located the missing man lying in long grass next to the lake.

The man was treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics and taken back to Maitland Hospital.

Police would like to thank members of the community and media for their assistance

Central Hunter detectives are appealing for information following an armed hold-up at Telarah this afternoon.

About 1.20pm today (Wednesday 25 March 2015), two men entered the bar area of a club on Clarke Street and threatened staff and patrons with a firearm before leaving with an amount of cash.

Investigators attended the incident conducted investigations.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who can assist in identifying the two offenders.

The first is described as being male, about 180cm tall with a thin / athletic build. He was last seen wearing a balaclava or stocking over his face, with a black hooded style jumper, black pants, gloves and black shoes.

The second is described as being male, about 180 cm tall with a thin / athletic build. He was last seen wearing a balaclava or stocking over face, and a red hooded style jumper, black pants and gloves. This man had his hood over his head at the time.

Investigations are underway into the incident and police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Maitland Police Station on 02 4934 0200 or Crime Stoppers.

A man has been charged with obscene exposure after an incident near Newcastle yesterday.

About 8am (Tuesday 24 March 2015) police were called to Morgan Street, Merewether after a man allegedly pulled down his pants and acted indecently. The incident occurred near a bus stop where a high school girl, in uniform, was waiting for her bus.

A witness contacted police who attended and arrested a man.

The 34-year-old was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with wilful and obscene exposure in/near public place/school.

He was granted conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 23 April 2015.

Inquiries are continuing.

Police will address the media as they continue their search for an 86-year-old man missing from the Maitland area.

Herbert “Nobby” Bartlett was last seen about 9.10am on Monday (23 March 2015) at Maitland Hospital, where he has been receiving care after a stroke six weeks ago.

It is believed Mr Bartlett has left the hospital, and could possibly be in the Maitland, Kurri Kurri or Weston areas.

Police and Mr Bartlett’s family are concerned about his welfare, as he requires medication and is frail. He may also be disorientated as a result of his stroke.

Mr Bartlett is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 155-160cm tall, and with white/grey short hair. He was last seen wearing glasses, a blue-coloured pyjama top with fine white stripes, ash/cream-coloured shorts and ash/cream-coloured shoes.

Police encourage anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mr Bartlett to come forward, and will address media today in an effort to help locate him.

Police are appealing to the public to help locate an 86-year-old man missing from the Maitland area.

Herbert “Nobby” Bartlett was last seen about 9.10am yesterday (Monday 23 March 2015) at Maitland Hospital, where he has been receiving care after a stroke six weeks ago.

It is believed Mr Bartlett has left the hospital, and could possibly be in the Maitland, Kurri Kurri or Weston areas.

Police and Mr Bartlett’s family are concerned about his welfare, as he requires medication.

Mr Bartlett is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 155-160cm tall, and with white/grey short hair. He was last seen wearing glasses, a blue-coloured pyjama top with fine white stripes, ash/cream-coloured shorts and ash/cream-coloured shoes.

Police encourage anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mr Bartlett to come forward.

Police have charged a man after a seven-year-old boy died in a car crash at Williamtown in the state’s Hunter region earlier this year.
About 4.10pm on Wednesday 21 January 2015, a Nissan Pathfinder was travelling south along Medowie Road.

As the vehicle approached banked-up traffic near the intersection of Nelson Bay Road, it drove along a grass section of road to the left of the waiting traffic.

The 4WD became airborne near a gully and impacted heavily on the opposite side.

A seven-year-old boy seated in the rear of the car sustained serious internal injuries and was transported to John Hunter Hospital; however, he later died.

Three other children travelling in the car were also taken to hospital for minor injuries, before being released.

The driver, a 35-year-old man, was subjected to mandatory blood and urine testing.

Following inquiries by the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit, a 35-year-old man attended Liverpool Police Station about 10.30am today (Tuesday 24 March 2015). He has been charged with:

– Dangerous driving occasioning death – drive under influence;

– Aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death – influence drug or drugs;

– Dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous; and

– Drive vehicle – illicit drug present in blood, etc.

The man has been granted conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 25 May 2015.

Police have charged a man and seized four firearms from a property in Windale, Lake Macquarie, following an alleged domestic dispute.

About 7pm yesterday (Monday 23 March 2015), officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command were called to a house on James Street in relation to an alleged domestic incident between a man and woman.

Following inquiries, police seized four rifles from the home and a large amount of ammunition.

One of the rifles had a suppressor (silencer) attached to the barrel.

A 37-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Charlestown Police Station, where he was charged with intimidation and possess prohibited weapon.

He was also issued with a suspension notice for his firearms licence.

The man has been granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Belmont Local Court on Monday 30 March 2015.

A new police program will bring a group of boys from the bush to meet boys from the lakes next week as part of an innovative educational exchange program.

The ‘Tunbilliko’ Program, which is Aboriginal for ‘exchange’, is a joint-initiative between Lake Macquarie and Darling River Local Area Commands that will provide an opportunity for Indigenous teens and local police to develop strong relationships between the north and the west.

The inaugural Tunbilliko trip will see five Indigenous teenage boys from Bourke arrive at Lake Macquarie today (Tuesday 24 March 2014), and team up with five local Indigenous teenage boys to share experiences from different aspects of Aboriginal culture and learn about life on the coast.

Over the next four days, the boys will visit the Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle, the Aboriginal Learning Circle at Hunter TAFE, and local police facilities, including Police Rescue, PCYC and Marine Area Command.

In addition, the boys will have the opportunity to go sailing, kayaking, and fishing, learn about local bush tucker, spend time at the beach and attend a Newcastle Knights home game.

Later in the year, the boys from the coast will head to the bush and meet up with their friends in Bourke.

Lake Macquarie Local Area Commander, Superintendent Brett Greentree, said the program aimed to create new friendships amongst the boys and further grow relationships between police and the community.

“We are excited to be involved in the Tunbilliko Program and pleased the local Aboriginal community has embraced the idea and helped bring it to life,” Supt Greentree said.

“While both areas are beautiful, Lake Macquarie is a stark contrast to Bourke, and this is a great opportunity to impart knowledge and better understand the differences in our ways of life.

“There are a range of activities planned over the next four days, ranging from relaxing to intense and educational to just plain fun, which we hope everyone will enjoy.

“At the end of the program, the boys will be awarded a certificate from TAFE NSW recognising the skills learnt during their stay,” Supt Greentree said.

Funded by the Aboriginal Strategic Direction Crime Prevention Grants, the program has strong community support, including the Community Consultative Committee and Belmont Rotary Club.