Police are attempting to identify a man whose body was discovered in water at Newcastle.

Emergency services were called to Susan Gilmore Beach about 8am today (Friday 10 July 2015) after a member of the public found the body.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and retrieved the man’s body.

While the investigation is in its infancy, his death is not believed to be suspicious.

Investigators are appealing for public assistance as they attempt to identify the man.

He’s believed to be aged in his 50s or 60s, with a slim build and a red beard.

Inquiries are continuing.

A man has been arrested and charged over five stealing offences committed at jewellers in the Lake Macquarie, Tuggerah and Jesmond areas.

About 10am yesterday (Thursday 9 July 2015), police were called to a jewellery store in a shopping centre at Charlestown, when staff recognised a man police wished to talk to in relation to the theft of jewellery from stores in Lake Macquarie, Tuggerah and Jesmond.

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and arrested the 36-year-old Narwee man. He was taken to Charlestown Police Station where he was subsequently charged with five counts of steal from person relating to the following incidents:

– Theft of a bracelet from a jewellers in Gorokan on 25 March 2015
– Theft of a chain from a jewellers in Charlestown on 19 June 2015
– Theft of a necklet from a jewellers in Jesmond on 20 June 2015
– Theft of a bracelet from a pawnbrokers in Wyong on 29 June 2015
– Theft of a bracelet from a jewellers in Jesmond on 8 July 2015

The man was also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intimidation stemming from an alleged incident in Wyong on 5 July 2015.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (10 July 2015).

Police are re-appealing for witnesses following a fatal plane crash near Cessnock yesterday.

About 4.30pm (Wednesday 8 July 2015), emergency services were called to Sawyers Gully after reports a light plane had crashed into dense bushland.

Officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command attended and located the plane well-alight.

The fire was extinguished by the NSW Rural Fire Service before the body of the 55-year-old pilot was located inside.

No one else was injured during the incident.

A crime scene has been established and is being examined by specialist forensic officers and investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) today (Thursday 9 July 2015).

A report is being prepared for the Coroner.