Monday, March 01, 2010

Drive By Shooting At Airds

NSW Police News

Campbelltown Police are appealing for public assistance following a drive-by shooting at Airds in Sydney’s south-west.

About 1:03am on Sunday (28 February 2010), a 36-year-old woman and three children under the age of 12 were sleeping in a home in Riverside Drive.

The woman was awoken by the sound of two explosions and breaking glass, and suspected that rocks had been thrown at the house.

She then noticed a number of pellet holes in walls and police attended the location to establish a crime scene.

No persons were injured as a result of the incident and investigations are continuing.

Anyone with information about the incident, or who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Riverside Drive, is asked to contact Campbelltown Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Cooks Hill Drug Bust

NSW Police News

A man will appear in court next month after allegedly being caught by an off-duty policeman dealing drugs at a Newcastle pub.

About 9.30pm on Saturday (27 February), the 31-year-old man was allegedly observed distributing an ecstasy tablet to another man on Darby Street, Cooks Hill.

The off-duty officer alerted local detectives to the incident and they immediately attended the scene.

The man was arrested and allegedly found in possession of another nine ecstasy tablets.

He was taken to Newcastle Police Station before being charged with supplying a prohibited drug and conditionally bailed to appear in Newcastle Local Court on 30 March 2010.

Meanwhile, the man who was allegedly supplied the ecstasy tablet was arrested after becoming involved in an altercation with uniformed police.

He was later charged with hindering/resisting police and released on conditional bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court on the same date.

Strike Force Taipan on Dangerous Drivers and Cars

NSW Police News

Police from Strike Force Taipan issued more than two-dozen defect notices as they continued their crackdown on dangerous drivers and unroadworthy vehicles over the weekend.

The strike force was formed in 2007 to target illegal street racing, burnout offences and associated anti-social behaviour across the Sydney metropolitan area.

Police patrolling the La Perouse area, in Sydney’s south-east, on Friday night (26 February) inspected a large number of heavily-modified vehicles.

Officers issued 13 defect notices and 79 infringements for other traffic offences that night.

Meanwhile, on Saturday night (27 February), strike force officers arrested two ‘P1’ drivers after they were caught with too many passengers in their cars.

An 18-year-old woman was stopped by police on the M4 after they spotted her driving without headlights. She was found to have four teenage passengers in the car. The provisional driver received infringements for driving contrary to passenger restrictions and driving without headlamps.

An 18-year-old man was stopped by police after performing a burnout. A check of his vehicle revealed he had two teenage passengers onboard. He was issued infringements for the burnout and driving contrary to passenger restrictions.

Police also issued five defect notices for unroadworthy vehicles and a total of 38 traffic infringements on Saturday night.

On Sunday night (28 February), police clocked a 17-year-old ‘P1’ driver from Quakers Hill, in Sydney’s north-west, travelling at 102km/h in a 60km/h zone. He was issued an infringement notice for exceeding the speed limit by more than 30km/h and had his licence suspended.

Officers also returned to La Perouse and issued eight defect notices – two of the vehicles were towed from the scene due to dangerous modifications.

A total of 39 infringement notices were issued by strike force police on Sunday night.

“Strike Force Taipan has been working hard to remove dangerous drivers and unroadworthy vehicles from Sydney roads and stamp out associated anti-social behaviour,” Acting Traffic Services Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mick Fuller, said.

“That work will continue in a bid to make our roads safer,” he said.

Ecstasy and Cocaine Drugs Arrest

NSW Police News

A man will appear in court next month after being charged over the alleged supply of ecstasy and cocaine on the state’s central coast.

About 10.30am today (Monday 1 March 2010), officers attached to Strike Force Welham served court attendance notices on a 25-year-old Kotara man via his legal representative.

The man will appear at Newcastle Local Court on 13 April 2010 on three charges of supplying ecstasy and one charge of supplying cocaine.

Broadwater North Coast Body Found

NSW Police News

Homicide Squad detectives have located the body of a man and released further information regarding an alleged murder on the state’s far north coast.

Following extensive investigations, Homicide Squad detectives with assistance from officers at Tweed/ Byron Local Area Command, located the body of a man yesterday.

The body was located in a shallow grave in the Broadwater area. Formal identification is yet to be completed.

This follows investigations by police into the alleged murder of a man who was reported missing on Wednesday 10 February. The 54-year-old was last seen at Lennox Head on Monday 8 February.

Detectives are conducting further investigations and are appealing for public assistance to locate the man’s car which is described as a 2003 model silver-coloured Holden Astra, with NSW registration plates AON-89L.

This follows the arrest of a 38-year-old man on Friday 26 February. He was subsequently charged with murder.

Strike Force Whip comprises detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and Tweed/Byron Local Area Command, and was established to investigate the man’s disappearance.

Inquiries are continuing and investigators are appealing for anyone with information about the incident or the vehicle described, is urged to contact Byron Bay police on (02) 6685 9499 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

More Arrests After Major Coonamble Brawl

NSW Police News

Police have arrested and charged a further seven people in relation to a brawl at Coonamble last month.

Just before 2am on Sunday 21 February, police from the Castlereagh Local Area Command responded to reports of a large brawl involving up to 60 people in Hickey Street.

When officers arrived they were attacked by several people throwing bottles.

Police withdrew and called for extra units and order was later restored.

A subsequent investigation has so far led to the arrests of 23 people, including a number of teenagers, in relation to the violence.

Each of the males and females has been charged with affray and granted conditional bail until their scheduled appearance in the Coonamble Local Court on 16 March.

The investigation into the incident is continuing.

Citizen Arrest After Alleged Armed Robbery

NSW Police News

A man will appear in court today after being apprehended by civilians during an alleged attempted armed robbery in Normanhurst last night.

Police will allege the 30-year-old man entered a convenience store on Denman Parade at 7pm, armed with knuckle dusters and a replica firearm. He allegedly pointed the gun at the owner asking him for cigarettes.

The owner argued with the intoxicated man who offered to supply identification so he could receive store credit. Whilst attempting to get his identification the offender held the replica gun under his armpit. The owner took the opportunity to grab a metal bar and chased him from the store. The man dropped the gun whilst fleeing and the store owner picked it up.

People from nearby stores became aware of the attempted armed robbery and chased the man. He was stopped a short distance away and held by civilians whilst police called.

Police attended and arrested the man who was taken to Hornsby Police Station. He was charged with the attempted armed robbery, two counts of using a prohibited weapon and an intimidation offence relating to threats made to an arresting civilian.

The 30-year-old Dee Why man was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court today.

Pedestrian Killed by Truck at Seahampton

NSW Police News

A pedestrian has died after being hit by a truck at Seahampton near Lake Macquarie on the weekend.

It is believed about 3am, Saturday 27 February, a 17-year-old male was lying in the north bound lane on George Booth Drive at Seahampton near Sugarloaf Range Road when he was hit by a semi-trailer truck.

As a result of the collision the teenager was dragged along the road for a short distance.

The truck driver returned home and later contacted police informing them he believed he may have hit something in the road.

Police and NSW Ambulance Paramedics attended the scene and located the injured teenager. He was taken to the John Hunter Hospital where he later died.

The road was closed for six hours while officer’s from the Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit conducted examinations of the scene.

The driver of the truck, a 69-year-old man from Sawyers Gully, was arrested and taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests.

Investigations into the collision are continuing and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have seen the teenager on the road prior to the collision is urged to contact Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit (02) 4929 0744 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Update to Eastwood Bowling Club Robbery

NSW Police News

Police from Eastwood Local Area Command are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery and theft of motor vehicle last night.

About 10.30pm (Sunday 28 February) three men entered a bowling club on Marsden Street armed with firearms.

The men threatened a female staff member, demanding she hand over money.

During the robbery the woman’s husband attended the location to give her a ride home. He was struck on the head with the butt of a handgun before the offenders stole a set of car keys and a sum of money.

The man suffered minor injuries which did not require treatment.

Meanwhile the trio ran into the car park where they stole a white-coloured 1994 model Ford Falcon sedan with New South Wales registration TKB - 922 and fled the scene.

The vehicle has been described as having noticeable damage with a shattered windscreen on the passenger side.

Police have been told two of the offenders were wearing balaclavas and the third man was wearing a motorcycle helmet as they robbed the club.

Anyone who may have information about the robbery which could assist police is urged to contact Eastwood Detectives via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Car Crash at Dunedoo Woman Killed

NSW Police News

A woman has been killed and another airlifted to hospital following a single vehicle crash at Dunedoo in the State’s Central West yesterday.

About 2:30pm (Sunday 28 February) a blue Toyota Tarago was travelling west on the Golden Highway approximately 300 metres west of the intersection with the Castlereagh Highway when the driver, a 56-year-old Cherrybrook woman, lost control of the van.

The van left the southern side of the road, overturning and rolling a number of times before coming to rest on its roof.

Two men and three women who were passengers inside the van managed to free themselves while the driver was trapped.

Police, NSW Ambulance Paramedics and State Emergency Service volunteers attended the scene and attempted to free the woman however she died at the scene.

Another woman was treated at the scene by paramedics before being airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle for treatment of fractures and broken bones.

Two men aged 58 and 27, as well as a 24-year-old woman and another woman were all treated for minor injuries and transported to Dubbo and Dunedoo Hospitals for further treatment.

Police are continuing their investigations into the crash and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Police Search for Stolen Tilt Tray Racetrack Truck

NSW Police News

Inquiries continue into the theft of a tilt tray truck responsible for rescuing some of Australia’s leading race drivers after it all went wrong on the track.

Strike Force Rodlee, comprising police from the Shoalhaven Local Area Command Target Action Group, are seeking public help to find the stolen white 1978 D5N Dodge Tilt Tray truck.

The truck was a show piece used at a number of race events including: Gold Coast Indy (2007-08), Bathurst 500 (2008), Phillip Island and the last V8 race day at Oran Park (2009).

The truck was used at Indy and Bathurst picking up V8 race cars off the tracks. It was similarly used on the other raceways.

It is believed the truck has a replacement value of $70,000 and was stolen in late 2009 from the Loftus area.

Police believe the truck was stored at a property in the Berry (NSW) area where it was partially stripped.

The truck was transported to another location, possibly on the South Coast of NSW or in the Queanbeyan area.

Shoalhaven LAC Target Action Group Sergeant Steve Edwards said the truck is a ‘one-off”.

“It is almost exclusively used during national motor vehicle race meetings and up until the time it was stolen was a regular sight at most major racing circuits around the country,” Sergeant Edwards said.

“The truck is fitted with a purpose built aluminium tilt/slide tray and is sign-written with contact details for a southern Sydney towing service.

Any person with information about the truck should contact Nowra Police on (02) 4421 9699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

NSW Police Operation Drink Drive 1

NSW Police News

A 72-hour crackdown targeting drink-driving on NSW roads has concluded and senior police have described the results as ‘promising’ despite some motorists still getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

‘Operation Drink Drive I’ began at midnight on Wednesday (24 February 2010) and concluded at 23.59hrs on Saturday (27 February 2010).

Acting Traffic Services Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Mick Fuller, says a similar number of breath tests were conducted this year in relation to last year, but the number of people caught drink-driving has more than halved.

“During this year’s three day operation, extra policing resources were deployed across the state to target intoxicated motorists, with a total of 136,484 breath tests conducted and 241 drink-driving charges laid,” Acting Asst Comm Fuller said.

“In a similar operation last year, 126,934 breath tests were conducted resulting in a total of 489 drink-driving charges.”

“Comparing the figures, the number of charges laid during our latest operation is more than 50% less than last year, despite a greater number of breath tests being conducted this year.”

“These results are promising and indicate that the drink-driving message is getting through, but there’s still a long way to go and I would warn drivers against becoming complacent.”

“Don’t think for a moment that you can get away with driving whilst intoxicated.”

“Police will maintain their campaign against irresponsible driver behaviour.”

“If you drink-drive, exceed the speed limit, use a mobile phone whilst driving, or don’t wear your seatbelt, you will be caught,” Acting Asst Comm Fuller said.

Armed Robbery at Bowling Club In Eastwood

NSW Police News

Police from the Eastwood Local Area Command are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery in Eastwood overnight.

About 10.30pm, three men entered a bowling club on Marsden Street armed with firearms.

The men threatened a female staff member, demanding she hand over money.

During the robbery the woman’s husband attended the location to give her a ride home. He was struck in the head with the butt of a firearm before the offenders fled the scene with a sum of money.

Two of the offenders were wearing balaclava’s and the third man was wearing a motorcycle helmet as they robbed the club.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have information about the robbery to contact Eastwood Detectives via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Charges After Domestic Dispute in Meadowbank

NSW Police News

Police from the Gladesville Local Area Command have charged a man following a domestic dispute in Meadowbank overnight.

About 8.30am yesterday (Sunday 28 February) police attended a home in Bay Drive following reports of a domestic dispute.

Upon arrival officers located a 27-year-old woman in a neighbouring apartment where she spoke with police.

Officers then attended the 34-year-old’s home where he was arrested and taken to Ryde Police Station where officers have applied for a search warrant.

Shortly before 4pm police returned to the man’s home where they executed the warrant and will allege they located a handgun, ammunition, a large sum of cash and an amount of steroids and human growth hormones.

The man was charged with assault, possessing a handgun and related firearm offences, possession of steroids and dealing with proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail and will appear in Ryde Local Court today.