Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command have conducted a targeted operation following a recent increase in break-and-enter offences in the Stockton area.

The operation was carried out overnight (Tuesday 28 April to Wednesday 29 April 2015) by officers from the Waratah Special Operations Group.

About 1.30am (Wednesday 29 April 2015), officers deployed as part of the operation saw a man hiding behind a car in the front yard of a house in Maitland Street, Stockton.

During a search of the man, police seized housebreaking implements.

The 28-year-old man was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged with:

– Dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception (four counts);
– Possess housebreaking implements;
– Deal with property suspected proceeds of crime; and
– Being carried in a conveyance without consent.

The man appeared in Newcastle Local Court this morning, where he was remanded in custody to appear in the same court on 4 May 2015.

It will be alleged the man broke into a home on William Street, Stockton, some time between 9.30pm on 26 April 2015 and 6.30am the following day.

Police will further allege the man stole a car from the premises, and used a stolen credit card to obtain goods and cash at Newcastle West and Kotara.

Later this morning, a 21-year-old man presented at Waratah Police Station.

He was also charged in relation to the incident at William Street, Stockton.

This man was refused bail, and is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 30 April 2015) to answer four counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception.

A third man, aged 31, was arrested as part of this targeted operation. He appeared in Newcastle Local Court today charged in relation to an outstanding warrant.

A teenager has been charged following an aggravated attempted armed robbery of a convenience store in Cardiff on the weekend.

Just after midnight on Sunday 26 April 2015, a male armed with a knife entered a convenience store on the corner of Gertrude and Helen Streets.

It will be alleged the male threatened a staff member, when the employee suffered a deep cut to his hand.

The armed male fled the scene empty handed. The staff member was treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.

Police were called and commenced investigating the incident.

Following inquiries, yesterday (Tuesday 28 April 2015), officers attached to the Lake Macquarie Special Operations Group attended a home on Mary Street, Cardiff, where a 16-year-old boy was arrested.

A number of items were seized from the home for forensic examination, including an electronic device and clothing.

The teenager was taken to Charlestown Police Station, where he was charged with aggravated robbery and an unrelated outstanding warrant.

He has been refused bail, to appear at court today (Wednesday 29 April 2015).

A man is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court today charged with assaulting police, possession of a prohibited drug, and other offences.

Police attached to the Waratah Special Operations Group were patrolling on Darling Street, Hamilton South, about 11.50pm yesterday (Monday 27 April 2015).

Officers stopped and questioned a man who was riding a bicycle while not wearing a helmet.

Police will allege they could smell cannabis on the man, and when asked about it, he handed over a quantity of the drug.

The man also provided his particulars. While police were conducting checks, he allegedly rode off on the bicycle.

Officers pursued the man on foot, catching up with him in a nearby car park.

While police were arresting the man, he allegedly kicked and lashed out at officers.

During a subsequent search of the man, police seized an additional amount of cannabis; breaking implements; and items allegedly stolen from a motor vehicle at Cooks Hill on 21 April 2015.

Police took the 28-year-old man to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with assault police; resist police; possess prohibited drug; possess breaking implements; and outstanding warrants.

He was refused bail, and is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 28 April 2015).