Police have charged four people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued four COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:
- Just after 2am yesterday (Tuesday 5 May 2020), officers from Nepean Police Area Command were called to Station and Queen Streets, St Marys, following reports of a brawl. Upon arrival, police separated a group of seven people and directed them to leave the area. Two men – aged 21 and 22 – allegedly failed to leave after being moved on. Checks revealed the younger man received a $1000 PIN on 10 April 2020 and the older man received two $1000 PINs on separate occasions last month. The St Clair men were both issued a Court Attendance Notice for not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. They are due to appear at Penrith Local Court on Monday 27 July 2020.
- About 4pm yesterday, officers from Blacktown Police Area Command were patrolling when they stopped and spoke to a 23-year-old man outside a shopping centre on Patrick Street, Blacktown. Checks revealed the man was in breach of his bail conditions and has interacted with police on six prior occasions for contravening Ministerial Directions. He was arrested and as police were escorting the man, it’s alleged he threw a package of cannabis. He was taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19, breach of bail and possess prohibited drug. The Marayong man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Wednesday 6 May 2020).
- About 11pm yesterday, officers from North Shore Police Area Command were called to a unit complex on Dorris Street, North Sydney, after reports of a disturbance. Police attended and found a 27-year-old man in his underwear in the complex’s underground carpark. Checks revealed he was breaching his bail conditions and had previously been dealt with for contravening Ministerial Directions. It’s alleged the man attended the location for an arranged meeting via a dating application, however, was asked to leave. He was issued a Court Attendance Notice for not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and breach of bail. The Islington man is due to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 28 May 2020.
Yesterday’s PINs included:
- About 11.40pm yesterday, officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command observed a stationary vehicle on Maple Road, Casula, and spoke to the four male occupants. The vehicle was searched, and police allegedly found drug paraphernalia. Checks revealed three of the men – aged 20 and two aged 19 – had been given warnings on Sunday (3 May 2020) and were subsequently issued with $1000 PINs.
- About 12.30pm yesterday, officers from South Sydney Police Area Command were conducting patrols when they stopped and spoke to a 35-year-old Waterloo man drinking alcohol on Raglan Street, Waterloo. It’s alleged he could not provide a reasonable excuse for being at the location and had previously been given a warning. He was issued a $1000 PIN.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.