Category: Newcastle News

A man has been charged with dangerous driving after the car he was driving allegedly hit a pedestrian in the Hunter region.
Around 3.30pm yesterday (Sunday 26 May 2019), a 79-year-old man was walking along a nature strip on Villiers Street, Mayfield.
Police will allege a 17-year-old boy was driving a Holden Nova when the vehicle collided with the pedestrian.
The elderly man suffered serious injuries and was taken to John Hunter Hospital; his injuries are non life-threatening.
Police will allege the driver left the scene without rendering assistance.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and established a crime scene.
The 17-year-old later attended Waratah Police Station where he was arrested and charged with five offences, including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact occasioning grievous bodily harm, cause bodily harm by misconduct and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
He was refused bail to face a Children’s Court today (Monday 27 May 2019).

A man has been charged after a pursuit in the Hunter Valley which ended when the vehicle crashed into a cemetery, damaging gravestones.
About 10.25pm yesterday (Saturday 25 May 2019), police attempted to stop a Toyota Corolla on the New England Highway, Rutherford, after it was spotted displaying suspected stolen number plates.
The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated, which travelled through Rutherford and Telarah.
The vehicle continued until reaching the intersection of George Street and South Street, where it lost control and crashed through the fence to a cemetery and across the tops of several gravestones, causing them significant damage.
The driver fled from the scene but was arrested a short time later after being tracked by the Dog Squad.
Inquiries reveal the Toyota Camry was stolen from Islington.
The 37-year-old man was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with seven offences including police pursuit, disqualified driver, drive vehicle without consent of owner, use vehicle with unauthorised number plates, drive recklessly, possess prohibited drug, and trespass onto rail lines.
He has been refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Monday 27 May 2019).

Three men have been charged over a hydroponic cannabis set-up in the Hunter Valley.
About 9.30pm yesterday (Friday 24 May 2019), officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended a home on Gentle Close, Singleton Heights, in relation to information received regarding the alleged hydroponic cultivation of cannabis.
When they entered the home, officers allegedly uncovered 325 cannabis plants being cultivated inside, as well as over 2kg of cannabis leaf.
A crime scene was established and specialist police attended and examined the scene.
Three men, aged 24, 33 and 41, were arrested at the home and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.
They were all charged with knowingly take part in cultivation of a commercial quantity of prohibited plant. The oldest man was also charged with possess prohibited drug.
They were all refused bail to appear at Wyong Bail Court today (Saturday 25 May 2019), where they were remanded In custody to reappear at Newcastle Local Court on Monday (27 May 2019).

Police are appealing for information after the body of a man was located at a wharf in Newcastle.
About 8.20am today (Saturday 25 May 2019), the body of an unidentified man was located in the water behind a hotel on Wharf Road.
The man appears to be 30-50 years old, with a beard, thinning hair, and a number of tattoos on his right hand and right shoulder.
It is believed the body had been in the water for a short time. There is nothing at this stage to suggest the man’s death is suspicious.
A small amount of property was located on the man, however no identification.
Inquiries continue to identify the man.
Anyone with information on his identity, or anyone with information on the incident, is urged to contact police immediately.

A man has been charged with firearms, drugs and weapons offences in the Lake Macquarie region.
About 10am yesterday (Thursday 23 May 2019), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District and Strike Force Utah conducted a Firearms and Weapons Prohibition Order (FPO and WPO) search at a home on Fourth Street, Boolaroo.
During the search, officers allegedly uncovered a hydroponic setup, more than 34 cannabis plants and close to two kilograms of cannabis leaf.
Police then executed a search warrant on the home, seizing three prohibited firearms, and several prohibited weapons including a taser, knuckle duster, ammunition and blow darts.
A 36-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Belmont Police Station.
He was charged with 11 offences, including:
– Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit x 4
– Possess unauthorised firearm x 3
– Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority
– Possess prohibited drug
– Enhanced indoor cultivate cannabis for commercial purpose
– Possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance
He was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Friday 24 May 2019).
 

A man reported missing from the Lake Macquarie area has been located safe and well.
The 32-year-old man was last seen about 8.30pm on Wednesday (23 May 2019) in the Toronto foreshore area.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced an extensive search.
About 11.30am this morning (Friday 24 May 2019), the man was located in Toronto.
Police would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.

Police are stepping up their search to locate a man wanted on outstanding warrants after escaping from police custody in the Hunter Valley.
About 2.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 22 May 2019), a search operation involving officers from Hunter Valley Police District and PolAir commenced in Singleton, after Jay Bill Mason, aged 26, escaped from police custody at Singleton Police Station.
Today (Thursday 23 May 2019), search efforts continued with Hunter Valley officers conducting an extensive search of Singleton and the surrounding areas.
Police believe he may still be in the Singleton area.
Mr Mason is currently wanted on outstanding warrants for breach of parole order and revocation of intensive correction order.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 195cm-200cm tall, with a thin build, short brown hair, shaved on top and longer at the back, with a ‘Jim Beam’ tattoo on his back, an ‘RIP’ tattoo on his arm, a full sleeve tattoo on his left arm, and tattoos on his chest.
He was last seen shirtless, wearing navy blue shorts with a floral print, and white ankle socks.
If sighted, the public is urged not to approach him but to contact Police immediately.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Police are appealing for information to help locate a missing man in the Lake Macquarie region.
Jonathon Peter Wynn, aged 32, was last seen about 8.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 23 May 2019) in the Toronto foreshore area.
Mr Wynn has not been in contact with family and police have concerns for his welfare.
He is described as being 182cm tall, muscular build, with brown hair and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and shorts.
At the time of going missing, he was on foot.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact police immediately.

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a man missing in the Hunter Region.
Arthur Cox, aged 47, was last seen at his home on Ashwood Road, Owens Gap, about 7.30am on Monday 20 May 2019.
When he failed to return home yesterday (Tuesday 21 May 2019), family members notified officers from Hunter Valley Police District and commenced inquiries.
Police and family hold serious concerns for Arthur’s welfare as he has not been seen or heard from since.
Officers conducted an initial land search yesterday but suspended due to poor light.
Police commenced a search about 8am this morning, with assistance from officers from Hunter Valley Police District and PolAir.
Arthur is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 175-180cms tall, with a solid build.
It’s believed he could be travelling in a grey 2011 dual cab tray back Holden Colorado with New South Wales registration number BZZ 44W.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact police immediately.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on outstanding warrants after escaping from police custody in Singleton this afternoon.
About 2.30pm (Wednesday 22 May 2019), a search operation involving officers from Hunter Valley Police District and PolAir commenced in Singleton, after Jay Bill Mason, aged 26, escaped from police custody at Singleton Police Station.
Mr Mason is currently wanted on outstanding warrants for breach of parole order and revocation of intensive correction order.
He is known to frequent the Singleton Heights area.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 195cm-200cm tall, with a thin build, short brown hair, shaved on top and longer at the back, with a ‘Jim Beam’ tattoo on his back, an ‘RIP’ tattoo on his arm, a full sleeve tattoo on his left arm, and tattoos on his chest.
He was last seen shirtless, wearing navy blue shorts with a floral print, and white ankle socks.
If sighted, the public is urged not to approach him but to contact Singleton Police Station or Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information about Jay Bill Mason’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.