A motorcycle rider has died following a crash north of Newcastle.
About 3.15pm today (Friday 31 July 2015), a tabletop truck and a motorcycle collided on Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown.
The rider of the motorcycle died at the scene.
The driver of the truck has been taken to hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests.
Police attached to Port Stephens Local Area Command have established a crime scene.
Investigations into the collision continue and police will prepare a report for The Coroner.
THE driver of a truck that veered onto the wrong side of the Hume Highway, narrowly missing oncoming cars by about a metre, has tested positive to methamphetamine, police allege.
Officers are also looking at possible fatigue and logbook offences against the driver following Tuesday morning’s incident, with the investigation to look at the Queensland-based transport company.
Senior Constable Colin Boyle said the 38-year-old Queensland man had been travelling northbound when the truck left the road at Glenrowan about 8.30am.
The truck had travelled in a straight line, suggesting the driver may have been asleep, before veering back into the centre median strip and becoming bogged.
“At this stage police are investigation fatigue and possible substance related offences,” he said.
“We will be engaging the heavy vehicle unit to fully explore any of the relevant fatigue-related offences.
“The man was allegedly substance affected.”
The man’s logbook also failed to match the driving schedule he told police.
“Police are also investigating this matter in relation to chain of responsibility legislation,” Senior Constable Boyle said.
“We want to make sure bosses aren’t putting pressure on their employees to make unreasonable timeframes but there’s nothing to suggest that in this case.
“It’s fortunate this hasn’t resulted in any injuries.”
The truck was bogged until about 11am with heavy haulage required to tow it out, and police want to speak to witnesses.
The incident came hours after police intercepted a car containing three knives, a small amount of methamphetamine, ice pipes and other items of interest.
Police had attempted to stop a car in Wangaratta about 1.30am Tuesday but the vehicle sped off, and the officers did not pursue it.
They patrolled the area for about half-an-hour and spotted the unattended vehicle, and waited for the man to return.
The driver, who was wanted, was arrested and faced court at Benalla.
He will return to court in Wangaratta on August 10.
Police have charged an outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) member after officers of the Australian Border Force (ABF) allegedly found more than $60,000 of undeclared currency in his baggage.
The 30-year-old Melbourne man was arrested at Newcastle Airport about 10am yesterday (Tuesday 28 July 2015).
The man, who is believed to be a high-ranking member of the Comancheros OMCG, was on board a twin-engine aircraft that had been chartered to fly from Melbourne to Noumea via Newcastle.
When the plane arrived in Newcastle for refuelling, ABF officers stopped the man and searched his baggage.
Inside bags and suitcases, ABF officers allegedly found more than $60,000 in undeclared Australian currency.
Police from Port Stephens Local Area Command attended and arrested a 30-year-old man, who was on the flight.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where he was charged with:
• Deal with property suspected proceeds of crime; and
• Move $10,000 or more out of Australia without a report.
He has been refused bail to appear in East Maitland Local Court today (Wednesday 29 July 2015).
Police are investigating a house fire in Wagga Wagga yesterday.
About 7pm (Tuesday 28 July 2015), emergency services responded to reports of a house on fire on Johnston Street.
On arrival officers from Wagga Wagga Local Area Command found a home engulfed in flames.
The fire was extinguished by Fire & Rescue NSW.
The premise was unoccupied at the time and no one was injured during the incident.
A crime scene has been established and will be examined by specialist forensic officers.
At this early stage of the investigation the fire, which destroyed a heritage-listed home, is being treated as suspicious.
Investigators are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may assist with their inquiries to call Wagga Wagga Police Station on 02 6922 2599 or Crime Stoppers.
Police have arrested five teenagers after an alleged restaurant robbery and vehicle pursuit in the Lake Macquarie area.
Shortly after 1am today (Tuesday 28 July 2015), police responded to reports of a break-in at a restaurant in a shopping centre on Ntaba Road, Jewells.
As officers arrived, they saw a green Holden Commodore station wagon speeding away from the scene.
Police initiated a pursuit, which travelled from Jewells towards the Pacific Highway, then north along the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.
The pursuit ended when the car crashed at the intersection of Look Out Road and Jacaranda Avenue in New Lambton Heights.
The driver and front-seat passenger – boys aged 15 and 14 respectively – allegedly ran from the vehicle. Police chased the pair, and arrested them in bushland a short time later.
Another three male teenagers – aged 14, 15 and 17 – were arrested at the crash site.
None of the boys was injured
All five were taken to Charlestown Police Station, where the driver has been charged with:
The other four teenagers are continuing to assist police with their inquiries.
18 August, 8pm, 19, 22 & 26 August, 7pm, 21 August 1.30pm
“The ACO’s first-ever performance of a Brahms symphony was exciting beyond belief.” The Daily Telegraph, 2010
“Whether in lulling, lilting, soothing phrases in its opening moments or generating red-blooded, electrifying climaxes that conjured up images of Brahms on steroids, this was music-making at its best.” The West Australian, 2013
This August, discover the Australian Chamber Orchestra in full symphonic force, directed by Richard Tognetti.
Don’t miss this grand program that features one of the seminal works in the classical repertoire, Brahms’ colossal Third Symphony as well as Mozart’s glorious Sinfonia Concertante for violin, viola and orchestra, and the composer’s The Magic Flute Overture.
After the triumphant symphonic performances of Brahms’ Symphony No.1 in 2010 and Brahms’ Symphony No.4, in 2013, Richard Tognetti takes 50 talented musicians to the stage in the ACO’s largest ensemble of the 2015 season, to perform Brahms’ Third Symphony for the first time.
With its sweeping lyrical string lines and contrasting evocative key changes, Brahms’ Third Symphony is considered the most finely crafted of his symphonies.
Played by Tognetti and the ACO, it will be a revelation.
Four people are due in court today following a police operation targeting an alleged drug supply syndicate in the Newcastle area.
Strike Force Rupas, comprising detectives from Newcastle City, Central Hunter and Lake Macquarie, was formed to investigate the supply of illicit drugs.
Investigations culminated in the arrest and charging of four people yesterday (Monday 27 July 2015).
A 29-year old man and a 43-year-old man were charged at Waratah Police Station with supply large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug (ecstasy), and supply indictable quantity of a prohibited drug (cocaine and methylamphetamine).
A 42-year-old man was charged with supply commercial quantity of a prohibited drug (ecstasy), and two counts of supply prohibited drug (methylamphetamine and cocaine).
A 23-year-old man was charged with supply prohibited drug (cocaine).
All have been refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 28 July 2015).
Police in the Riverina region have charged a man with serious firearms offences after he was allegedly found in possession of prohibited firearms.
About 7am on Thursday (23 July 2015), police from Albury Local Area Command attended a property in Burrumbuttock, to speak with the occupant about an unrelated matter.
Whilst at the location, police conducted a safe storage of firearms inspection.
During the inspection police allegedly located two unregistered prohibited firearms, including a Ruger Mini 14 .223 and an Anschutz .22 Calibre Semi Automatic Rifle.
Detectives also observed offences relating to unsafe storage of ammunition and firearms.
The 52-year-old man was taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of possess unregistered firearm, two counts of unauthorised possession of prohibited firearm, two counts of use unregistered prohibited firearm, one count of not keep firearm safe and one count of not have approved safe storage.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Albury Local Court on 18 August 2015.
The man’s firearms licence has been suspended and all 25 of his firearms have been seized.
A man will face court today after allegedly being found in possession of unauthorised firearms in the Hunter Region yesterday.
About 2.30pm (Sunday 26 July 2015), police were called to a home on Third Street, Weston, following reports of an armed man in the yard.
Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command attended and attempted to speak with the man, who allegedly refused to cooperate.
About 3.20pm, the 32-year-old Weston man exited the garage and was arrested without incident.
No one was injured during the operation.
Following a search of the property, police located and seized two air rifles and various types of ammunition.
The man was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with unauthorised possession of firearms, not keep firearms safe, and possess ammunition without holding a licence or permit.
He has been refused bail and is due to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Monday 27 July 2015).
Police have appealed for information from the community after a teenage boy was assaulted in Newcastle following a minor motor vehicle crash last week.
About 11pm on Friday 24 July 2015 a 17-year-old boy reversed his vehicle from a parking spot at Strezlecki Lookout, The Hill.
Police have been told that the teenager struck a Toyota Hilux that caused minor damage to his own vehicle only.
The male driver of the Toyota Hilux then struck the teenager several times through the open window of his car.
Immediately the boy drove to Newcastle Police Station and reported the incident.
Unfortunately the boy was unable to obtain the registration details for the other vehicle.
Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command have commenced an investigation into the incident have appealed for anyone with information about the vehicle or its driver to come forward.
The vehicle is described only as a white Toyota Hilux utility.
The driver has been described to police as being of Caucasian appearance, 35-years-old and190cm tall with a solid build.
At the time of the incident he was wearing an orange high visibility work-shirt.
Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.