Police have arrested a man as they continue to investigate an armed robbery of an automobile shop in Mayfield West last year.

About 6pm, Friday 26 December 2014, a man entered an automobile store on Maitland Road, armed with a firearm.

Police have been told he allegedly threatened staff, before leaving the scene, taking cash. No one was injured during the incident.

It’s believed a motorbike was parked on grassland adjacent to Maitland Road, and a man stood with the bike, while the alleged robbery took place.

The armed man was seen to flee the scene on the motorcycle as a pillion passenger, travelling through Warabrook before crossing a railway line via an overhead walkway, into grounds of a university.

It’s believed the pillion passenger got off the bike on Vale Street, Birmingham Gardens, and ran across Sandgate Road, where he met the rider and again got onto the bike and rode from the area.

Early investigations have led police to believe the motorbike was also in the Shortland area both before and following the offence.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command were notified and commenced investigations.

Today (Monday 16 March 2015), police arrested a 22-year-old Lambton man.

He was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with robbery armed with dangerous weapon. He has been refused bail, to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 17 March 2015).

As police continue their inquiries, they would like to speak to a man who is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his late 20s/early 30s, with a large number of tattoos on his left arm and leg.

As the alleged offence occurred on Boxing Day, it is believed there may have been a large number of witnesses in the area at the time. Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are urged to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.

Police are appealing for assistance following a ram raid and theft of an automatic teller machine from a shopping arcade in Elermore Vale earlier today (Sunday 15 March 2015).

About 3.45am, a stolen bobcat was driven into the front entrance of a shopping centre on Croudace Road, causing significant damage to the building.

Two free standing ATM’s located inside the entrance were dislodged by the bobcat, but only one was taken from the shopping centre.

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

Investigators would like to speak with anyone who saw the bobcat or people acting suspiciously in Elermore Vale in the early hours of this morning.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Newcastle City Police on (02) 4929 0999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A report is being prepared for the Coroner after a single vehicle crash at Kurri Kurri this morning.
About 1.30am (Sunday 15 March 2015), a male was driving a Honda CRV north east along Lang Street when the vehicle left the roadway and rolled several times.

The Honda struck an electrical junction box and several awning supports outside a shop before coming to a halt on its side.

Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command and other emergency services attended but the driver, a 17-year-old local male, died at the scene.

Lang Street was closed for sometime between Hampden Street and Main Road while investigations into the incident took place.

A report outlining the full circumstances surrounding the male’s death will be prepared for the Coroner.

Vilma Hunter knows about positive ageing. “I love being old. I am 84, 85 this year and I am so lucky,” she says. “I say thank you for my wonderful life every day.” Vilma is certainly not immune to the challenges of aging, but as an active volunteer, her optimism is palpable. “I love helping people; I really and truly love it.”

Vilma’s volunteering experience has been diverse and spanned many years. She has volunteered for the Sydney Olympics, the Paralympics and the International Children’s Games here in Lake Macquarie, to name a few events. The smile on Vilma’s face is wide as she tells her story of volunteering for the Sydney Olympic Games. “I’ll never forget walking down the Sydney streets holding that banner with the crowds chanting ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, and we’d shout ‘oi, oi,oi!’ Moments like that live forever.”

Volunteering is one strategy recommended by the Australian Psychological Society for maintaining a positive outlook as we age. Among other benefits, volunteering increases social interaction and helps create meaningful connections.

Anthony Ross, CEO from the Hunter Volunteer Centre says, “The benefits of volunteering are different for everyone, but every volunteer gets that little smile on their face that says, ‘I made a difference today.’”

“Volunteering opens doors for people and that’s true for the young as well as the young at heart” says Anthony. “By being involved in something that interests you, you can feel more valued, break down isolation and create important social networks.”

On Friday 20th March 2015, Anthony will be at the Port Stephens over 55’s Lifestyle, Wellness and Volunteer expo at the Soldiers Point Bowling Club. He will be available to chat with the public and media about volunteering and how it can fit into, and enrich, the over 55’s lifestyle. Photographic opportunities will be available on the day.

Call HVC on 4929 4424 to set up an interview. HVC recruits volunteers for more than 200 community organisations in the area and will take the time to find a volunteer role that will match the skills, experience and interests of all potential volunteers.

Police have charged a man with dangerous driving offences, including Skye’s Law, after a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle near Tamworth yesterday.

About 4.30pm (Friday 13 March, 2015) police detected a car on the New England Highway, 40km south of Tamworth, allegedly travelling at 128km in a 100km area.

The vehicle refused to stop when directed by police and a pursuit was initiated. A police check of the vehicle indicated it was reported stolen from Lithgow earlier that day.

Police pursued the allegedly stolen vehicle on the New England Highway and into Tamworth where road spikes were deployed without success.

The vehicle continued to the Oxley Highway and onto Werris Creek Road, out of Tamworth township. Police again deployed road spikes without success.

A short time later police successfully deployed road spikes and the vehicle stopped a short time later.

The driver was arrested and taken to Tamworth Police Station.

The 25-year-old from Condobolin was charged with numerous traffic offences including police pursuit not stop drive dangerously (Skye’s law), drive whilst suspended, and take and drive conveyance.

He was refused bail to appear before Tamworth Local Court today (Saturday 14 March 2015).

A man has been charged with serious animal cruelty offences in Cessnock overnight.

Last Thursday, 5 March 2015, a man placed an advertisement on a website for the sale of 11 Bull Terrier cross puppies.

Almost a week later they had not sold and the man offered the puppies, free of charge, to a 25-year-old who accepted.

About 4.30pm, Wednesday 11 March 2015, the 25 year old loaded the puppies in his car and took them to bushland on McLeods Road, Kurri Kurri.

He allegedly began to kill them with a rock, hitting them in the head and throwing them into the bush.

A man saw this occurring and confronted the 25-year-old, who drove from the area with five of the puppies still alive.

The RSPCA were contacted and attended the location. They took the puppies to a vet in Cessnock, only one survived.

The RSPCA commenced an investigation and, with police, attended a home in Heddon Street, Kurri Kurri about 8.20pm last night.

A 25-year-old man was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station. He was charged with serious animal cruelty, aggravated animal cruelty and resist arrest.

He was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court today (Friday 13 March 2015).

The man allegedly told police four of the five remaining puppies were destroyed and the fifth was re-homed.

Police investigating the death of a man in Newcastle on the weekend are appealing for CCTV footage from local businesses.
Just after 3am on Saturday 7 March 2015, officers attached the Newcastle City Local Area Command were called to a home on Dickson Street, following reports of a man being injured.

On arrival, police located a man suffering a gunshot wound. He was unable to be revived at the scene.

A crime scene was established and officers conducted an extensive canvass of the area.

Police attached to the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad are assisting local police with investigations.

Detectives are appealing to any businesses or residents within 3km of Dickson Street which may have CCTV capabilities to call Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers.
Inquiries into events leading up to the incident are continuing.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command are investigating the death of a man in a home in Mayfield yesterday.

At 1.50pm (Sunday 8 March 2015), emergency services were called to a home on Kerr Street following reports of a man being injured. Police arrived to find a 71-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his chest; he died at the scene.

A crime scene was established at the house and examined by specialist forensic officers with detectives continuing investigations into the matter.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time or witnessed the incident to contact Newcastle City Detectives on (02) 4926 6599 or via Crime Stoppers.

Police are investigating the assault of a man at New Lambton whose car was then stolen.

About 2pm on Friday (6 March, 2015), a 17-year-old man parked his car at John Hunter Hospital. Police have been told he was approached by a man who demand the victim’s car keys to which he refused. The victim was assault by the man who stole various items then fled the location in the victim’s vehicle.

Officers attached to Newcastle Local Area Command attended and commenced investigations.

As inquiries continue, police would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist them.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 20 years old, 183cm tall with a thin build. The man was wearing a white singlet, long dark pants and sunglasses.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or suspicious activity in the area about this time is urged to come forward and contact police via Crime Stoppers.