A man will appear in court today facing a number of firearm related charges after he allegedly discharged a rifle during a dispute at Blacksmiths, near Lake Macquarie overnight.

Police will allege a 24-year-old man allegedly armed with a loaded rifle, drove to a premises on Boikon Street where he confronted a 21-year-old man.

The two men became involved in a scuffle and a round was fired from the weapon. The 21-year-old man managed to overpower the older man, and secured the firearm.

The older man ran from the premises and allegedly drove to Caves’ Beach where he was arrested in his vehicle by police.

He was subjected to a roadside breath test which provided a positive reading. He was arrested and taken to Charlestown Police Station where he is expected to be charged with a number of firearm related offences as well as drink driving and an outstanding warrant.

He will be appearing in Newcastle Local Court later today. (Tuesday 15 September 2015).

No one was hurt during this incident.

The man was taken to Charlestown Police Station where he was charged with 11 offences:

– possess loaded firearm in public place;

– possess unauthorised firearm;

– possess unregistered firearm;

– possess ammunition without holding licence/permit;

– carry firearm manner likely injure person/property;

– enter building/land with firearm;

– handle/use firearm under the influence of alcohol;

– armed with intent to commit indictable offence;

– drive motor vehicle while licence suspended;

– drive with mid-range PCA; and

– an outstanding warrant.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today. (Tuesday 15 September 2015).

No one was hurt during this incident.

An elderly woman has been injured during an aggravated break and enter in Newcastle on the weekend.

About 4.15am (Sunday 13 September 2015), the 81-year-old woman was asleep in her home on Gordon Street, Mayfield West, when she was awoken by noise in her home.

She went to investigate the noise and confronted a male intruder.

The man pushed the woman to the floor before he fled the scene.

The woman sustained minor injuries to her forehead and left knee and was taken to The Mater Hospital for observation.

The woman was unable to provide police with a description of the offender, apart from the fact he was male.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Three men have been arrested following an ongoing police operation targeting an alleged drug supply syndicate in the Newcastle area.

Strike Force Rupas, comprising of detectives from Newcastle City, Central Hunter and Lake Macquarie, was formed to investigate the supply of illicit drugs.

Following ongoing investigations, yesterday (Friday 11 September 2015) officers from Strike Force Rupas arrested three men and executed three search warrants at Cameron Park, Speers Point and Cardiff.

At these locations, officers seized 19 firearms; consisting of high powered rifles, shortened firearms, a handgun and ammunition, as well as 4700 ecstasy pills, approx 40 grams of methyl-amphetamine and a clandestine lab.

Just after 10am a 25-year-old Speers Point man was arrested in Glendale. A short time later, a 33-year-old Cameron Park man was arrested in Rutherford, and in the afternoon a 46 old male from Cardiff was arrested at his address.

The 25-year-old man was charged with supplying a prohibited drug (x5), attempt to acquire prohibited pistol and direct criminal syndicate. He was refused bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Court Local Court today (Saturday 12 September 2015).

The 33-year-old man was charged with supply greater than commercial quantity of amphetamine, supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis and direct criminal syndicate. He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Saturday 12 September 2015).

The 46-year-old man was charged with 13 firearms offences. He has been bailed refused to attend Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 12 September 2015).

Their arrests follow the arrest and charge of eleven men by officers attached to Strike Force Rupas over the previous months.

Investigations are continuing concerning a clandestine laboratory located at the Cardiff premises. All items will undergo forensic examinations.

Newcastle City Investigation Coordinator, Detective Inspector Peter Mahon, said that these arrests follow extensive investigations into the supply of drugs and possession of firearms in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland areas.

“Yesterday’s results; including the arrest of the three men, the discovery of a clandestine laboratory, and the seizure of the drugs and firearms, come as a result of extensive investigations by officers from Strike Force Rupas.

“These arrests and seizures are a significant step in stopping the supply of illicit drugs and unauthorised possession of firearms in Newcastle and surrounding areas.

“Our officers will continue to investigate those who take part in the supply of drugs and more arrests will follow,” Det Insp Mahon said.

A man will face court today charged over an alleged bagsnatch at Jesmond, in Newcastle, overnight.

About 8pm (Thursday 10 September 2015), a 29-year-old woman was walking along Blue Gum Road, when a man ran up behind her and took her bag.

She was not hurt in the incident.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended a short time later and were assisted by the Dog Unit in searching for the person involved.

An 18-year-old man was arrested nearby and the woman’s handbag was recovered from stormwater drains in Mayo Street.

The man was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with steal from person.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 11 September 2015).

A critical incident investigation has been launched following the death of a man during a confrontation with police.

Police were called to a post office on Postmans Lane at Warners Bay about 3.15pm today (Wednesday 9 September 2015), responding to reports a man was armed with a knife.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and confronted a man.

He died at the scene after a police firearm was discharged.

A critical incident team will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident, including the actions of police.

That investigation will be overseen by the Professional Standards Command.