A man has been charged following an incident at a shopping centre in Charlestown last month where a woman and her child were approached.

On Saturday 20 December 2014 a 55-year-old man approached a woman and her daughter at a shopping centre.

Police will allege that the man attempted to procure the child for a sum of money.

The woman reported the matter to police and officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command commenced their investigations.

Police located the man at the shopping centre earlier today and he was arrested without incident.

The man was conveyed to Charlestown Police Station where several items were seized for forensic examination.

He was later charged with attempt procure child under 14 for sexual activity, offensive behaviour and intimidation.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 4 February 2015.

A man has been charged following an armed robbery at a business in Bonnells Bay earlier today.

About 1.10pm today (Thursday 15 January 2015) a man entered a newsagency on Fishery Point Road armed with a piece of metal and threatened the female store owner demanding money.

The woman was not injured during the robbery.

The man took a quantity of cash and fled to a car which was parked nearby.

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command were alerted and commenced a search of the area.

A short time later police located and stopped a vehicle which was travelling on Freemans Drive at Freemans Waterhole.

Police detained a 26-year-old man and two females in the vehicle which was seized for forensic examination.

The man was later charged with armed robbery and an outstanding warrant.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Friday 16 January 2015).

The two women were released pending further inquiries.

Police have seized a firearm that was allegedly stolen during an aggravated break in, following a raid at the Hunter Valley.
About 2.30pm (Saturday 10 January 2015), a 43-year-old man was at a home on Cooba Bulga Road, Cassilis, when three men wearing masks entered.

The men allegedly detained the 43-year-old before stealing a number of firearms from a gun safe; as well as motorbikes, a Toyota Hilux, and other property.

Yesterday at 1.30pm (Wednesday 14 January 2015), officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command attended a home on Pyne Way, Mount View, and executed a search warrant.

Police will allege they seized a firearm that was stolen during the break-in.

Investigations are continuing and charges are expected to be laid.

Previously, on Sunday 11 January 2015, officers attended a home on Brown Street, Cessnock, where they arrested a 26-year-old man.

He was taken to Hunter Valley Police Station where he was charged with aggravated break, enter and commit serious indictable offence in company, and detain in company with intent to get advantage occasioning actual bodily harm.

The 26-year-old and appeared at Maitland Local Court, and was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local court on Wednesday 25 February 2015.

Arson Squad detectives have released CCTV footage as inquiries continue into a deliberately-lit fire in Newcastle last year.

Emergency services were called to Kemp Street at The Junction just after midnight on Sunday 7 July 2014 where they found a building well-alight.

The blaze was extinguished; however, the building was extensively damaged.

Through initial inquiries, investigators determined the fire was deliberately lit.

Strike Force Chaperon was subsequently formed by detectives from the Property Crime Squad’s Arson Unit with assistance from Newcastle City Local Area Command.

Following initial inquiries, police have today released CCTV footage of a car travelling along Kemp Street shortly before the fire, as well as footage of a man walking near the building.

The grey or silver vehicle is believed to be similar to a late 1990s or early 2000s model BMW 3.

Strike Force detectives believe the man can assist with their inquiries and are appealing for anyone who knows his identity, or recognises the car, to come forward.

Police investigating a theft at Newcastle Beach yesterday (Tuesday 13 January 2015); have released an image of a woman they would like to speak to in relation to the incident.

About 1.10pm, a handbag was taken from a table at a café on Shortland Esplanade.

Police were told a woman was allegedly seen to take the handbag and walk towards the Newcastle Beach public toilets.

The woman was confronted by a witness and the owner of the handbag who then recovered the property from her.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command were contacted and are continuing their investigation into the incident.

Investigators have now released an image of a person who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

The person depicted in the image is described as being a female of Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 30-40 years old, with a medium build.

At the time of the incident, she is shown in the image wearing a grey singlet top, grey hat and sunglasses.

Police have released images of a man who may be able to assist with inquiries after a man allegedly exposed himself to a woman in Waratah West on the weekend.

About 2.30pm (Sunday 11 January 2015), a 24-year-old international student was at a bus stop on University Drive when she was approached by a man.

The man allegedly sat next to her at the bus stop and exposed himself before committing a lewd act.

The matter was reported to police yesterday (Tuesday 13 January) and investigations into the incident are continuing.

Police believe that the man depicted in the photographs may be able to assist with inquiries.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 50-years-old, 175cm tall, with a slim build. He was last seen wearing blue football shorts, dark t-shirt, dark coloured cap, sunglasses, and riding a dark coloured bicycle.

A 52-year-old man will appear in court today (Wednesday 14 January 2014) after being charged with drug supply offences following a police pursuit in the Hunter.

About 1.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 14 January 2014), police from the Central Hunter Local Area Command’s Target Action Group were patrolling Bellbird when they observed an unregistered motorcycle travelling along Kendall Street.

Officers attempted to stop the motorcycle, which was carrying two people, but the rider in control of the bike sped off.

A pursuit commenced with the motorcycle allegedly reaching speeds of 120-130km/h on signposted 80km/h roads.

On Pyne Way in Mount View, the rider lost control of the bike while travelling through a stretch of long grass. Both the rider and his passenger fell off the bike; fortunately, their speed had reduced at this time and neither of them were injured.

The rider of the bike – a 52-year-old Mount View man – was found to be in possession of eight grams of methylamphetamine, a folding pocket knife and more than $2,000 cash. He was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station, while his passenger – a 38-year-old woman from Mount View – was released without charge.

Following the man’s arrest, officers executed a search warrant at a home on Edith Street, Cessnock, where they located more than a dozen items which are believed to have been stolen. Items seized from the property included laptop computers, jewellery and power tools.

The man was subsequently charged with:

– Drug supply;

– Drug possession;

– Failing to stop when directed;

– Dealing with the proceeds of crime; and,

– Driving whilst disqualified.

Refused bail, he is scheduled to appear in Cessnock Local Court today.

A man has been charged over an alleged break and enter during which a man was detained, and property including firearms were stolen in the Hunter Valley.

About 2.30pm (Saturday 10 January 2015), a 43-year-old man was at a home on Cooba Bulga Road, Cassilis, when three men wearing masks entered.

The men allegedly detained the 43-year-old before stealing a number of firearms from a gun safe, motorbikes, a Toyota Hilux, and other property.

Following investigations, police yesterday (Sunday 11 January 2015), attended a home on Brown Street Cessnock where they arrested a 26-year-old man.

He was taken to Hunter Valley Police Station where he was charged with aggravated break, enter and commit serious indictable offence in company, and detain in company with intent to get advantage occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was refused bail and will appear at Maitland Local Court today.

Following his arrest, police executed a search warrant on the home where they located and seized a number of items allegedly stolen from the Cassilis property.

Investigations into the incident are continuing.

A man and woman have been charged following an investigation into the alleged theft of copper wire in the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command.

Over the past three months police attached to the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command have been investigating the theft and recycling of copper wire for financial gain.

About 2.20am (Sunday 11 January 2015), police from Lake Macquarie Special Operations Group stopped a car towing a trailer on Jonathon Street at Warners Bay.

Police searched the trailer and will allege they located a large section of copper wire. A further search of the car revealed a number of tools including a set of bolt cutters.

A 40-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were arrested and taken to Charlestown Police Station. They were both charged with larceny and goods in custody. The man was additionally charged with use unregistered trailer.

The man was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court today. The woman has been granted conditional bail and is due to appear in Belmont Local Court on 4 February 2015.

Police are appealing for public assistance after a cyclist was hit by a car which failed to stop at Mayfield West today.

Just before 9am (Saturday 10 January 2015), a 49-year-old man was riding with a small group of cyclists along Industrial Drive when he approached the intersection at Tourle Street.

Police have been told a blue Holden Commodore was travelling in the same direction and approached the group, before overtaking them.

As the Commodore and the group of cyclists continued, the driver of the vehicle was seen to brake a number of times.

The 49-year-old man collided with the back of the vehicle, causing him to fall.

The vehicle failed to stop after the incident. Emergency services were called and the man was taken to John Hunter Hospital with minor injuries.

No one else was injured during the incident.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command are investigating the incident and are appealing for any witnesses and the driver of the Commodore to come forward.

The vehicle was described as a voodoo-blue coloured, four-door Holden Commodore sedan bearing black and yellow NSW registration plates.