Escapee recaptured – Grafton
April 20, 2013
Police have recaptured one of three men who escaped from a correctional facility in the state’s north earlier this month.
The three minimum-security inmates were last seen at 6.30pm on Thursday 4 April when they were secured in their unit at the facility on the Gwydir Highway, Glen Innes.
They were discovered missing shortly after 7am the next day.
About 4pm Friday 19 April 2013, police attended a residence in Spring Street, South Grafton, after reports one of the man, aged 24, was on the premises.
The man was arrested without incident and taken to Grafton Police Station. He was refused bail to appear in Grafton Local Court today.
The two other men remain at large.
Zac Cree, 25, from Banora Point, NSW, was serving a maximum sentence of three years and nine months, with a non-parole period of two years and 10 months, for driving and break-and-enter offences. Cree’s earliest release date is 16 December 2014.
Ashley Cullen, 21, from Toormina, NSW, was serving four years and nine months, with a non-parole period of two years, for break and enter, fraud and one take and detain person with intent offence. He was due to be released on 28 February 2014.
Anyone who sees either of these men should not approach them, but call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Double fatality at Bangalow
January 1, 2013
A double fatality occurred overnight on the Pacific Highway at Bangalow, near Possum Creek Road.
The head-on crash occurred about 2.20am today (Tuesday 1 January, 2013) and involved two vehicles.
The drivers, a man and a woman, are deceased.
There were no passengers in either of the vehicles.
Police investigate double stabbing – Upper Main Arm
December 22, 2012
Police are investigating an incident which left two men with stab wounds on the state’s Far North Coast last night.
Around 11.30pm (Friday 21 December), the two men were talking to each other outside a community hall on Main Arm Road in Upper Main Arm.
The pair had just attended a Christmas gathering at the hall with around 200 others.
An unidentified man approached the pair and stabbed them both with a pair of scissors.
The offender then drove from the scene.
The two victims, aged 46 and 36, suffered wounds to their face and neck.
They were taken to Tweed Heads Hospital and remain in a stable condition.
Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command are investigating the incident and are in the process of the identifying the man involved.
Anyone who can assist the investigation is urged to contact Tweed Heads Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man shot – Tweed Heads
July 16, 2012
Police are appealing for the public’s assistance after a man was shot in the northern NSW last weekend.
About 1.40am on Sunday 15 July 2012, a 34-year-old man presented himself at Tweed Heads Hospital seeking treatment to a gunshot wound to his abdomen.
The man underwent surgery and police were called.
Officers attached to Tweed/Byron Local Area Command attended the hospital. They attempted to interview the man, however, he refused to assist with their inquiries.
The victim is believed to be associated with an outlaw motorcycle gang.
Police believe he was brought to the hospital by an unidentified person driving a white Ford Festiva sedan.
Anyone with information can provide it anonymously to Tweed Heads Police on 07 5536 0999, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man charged with murder – Tweed Heads
July 16, 2012
Police will charge a man with murder following the death of another man during an assault at Tweed Heads early in the month.
About 11am on Sunday 1 July 2012, a 42-year-old man was driven to Tweed Heads Hospital by a man in a blue Holden Commodore.
The man, who was unconscious and suffering serious head injuries, was treated by hospital staff and later transferred to the Gold Coast Hospital in a critical condition.
Detectives from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command were contacted by hospital staff and commenced investigations into the incident.
Police established the man was assaulted at a house in Dry Dock Road, Tweed Head, on Sunday morning.
Fatal motorcycle crash near Lismore
July 9, 2012
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner after a fatal motorcycle crash near Lismore last night (Sunday 8 July 2012).
About 8.30pm, police and other emergency services were called to a section of the Bruxner Highway, Lindendale, after reports of a motorcycle crash.
They found the rider unconscious on the roadway and his motorbike laying on its side several metres away.
Other motorists and local residents had come to the man’s aid.
CPR was performed on the 33-year-old man; however, he could not be revived and was pronounced deceased a short time later.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are now under way.
Anyone who might have witnessed the incident or the circumstances leading up to it is asked to contact Lismore Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man extradited from Northern Territory following Broadwater death
July 4, 2012
A man has been extradited from the Northern Territory on a charge of murder relating to the death of another man on the state’s North Coast last month.
About 4.30pm on Thursday 21 June 2012, police from Richmond Local Area Command attended a residence in River Street, Broadwater, after 54-year-old Edward James Kelly was located deceased.
Detectives from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad have been investigating the incident under Strike Force Fitzsimon.
A 46-year-old man was arrested just after 3pm (Northern Territory time) at Berry Springs, near Darwin, by Northern Territory Police on Sunday 1 July 2012.
He was charged by virtue of a NSW arrest warrant for murder and NSW Homicide Squad detectives travelled to Darwin to apply for his extradition.
This was granted and the man was escorted on a flight which arrived in Sydney about 12.30pm today (Wednesday 4 July 2012).
He was taken to the Sydney Police Centre where he is assisting detectives with their inquiries.
Meanwhile, detectives are continuing their investigations and would like to hear from any person with information to assist them to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police warning after spate of Tweed overdoses
July 1, 2012
Police are warning members of the public about the dangers of drug use after a number of overdoses within the Tweed/Byron Local Area Command.
About 10am yesterday (Saturday 30 June 2012), a 25-year-old female was transferred from Murwillumbah to Tweed Heads Hospital suffering an unknown drug overdose.
A 25-year-old man was with the female and later collapsed.
The man and woman remain in intensive care.
About 3.20pm, a 28-year-old man attended Tweed Heads Hospital and collapsed.
He is also undergoing intensive care treatment.
During the day, a number of other persons attended Tweed Heads Hospital complaining of similar symptoms.
Investigations have revealed that a number of people may have consumed illicit drugs at a party in the Murwillumbah area.
Whilst the use of any illegal drug is dangerous and potentially fatal, police are urging anyone who has purchased or been offered a liquid substance believed to be gamma-hydroxybutric acid or ‘Fantasy’, not to consume it.
Any person who has consumed the liquid or other illicit drugs and who feels unwell, is advised to seek immediate medical attention.
Anyone with information in relation to this matter or with any other drug information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police investigate man’s death – Broadwater
June 22, 2012
Police are investigating the death of a man at Broadwater yesterday.
About 4.30pm (Thursday 21 June 2012), police from Richmond Local Area Command attended River Street, Broadwater, after a 54-year-old man was located deceased.
A crime scene was established which will be examined by forensic specialists.
The death is being treated as suspicious and a post-mortem examiknation is expected to be conducted later today (Friday 22 June 2012) to determine a cause.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Ballina Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police investigate carjacking – Tweed Heads
June 12, 2012
Police from the Tweed-Byron Local Area Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding a carjacking in Tweed Heads yesterday.
About 7pm (Monday 11 June 2012) a 38-year-old man was leaving his commercial premises located within the Kirra Shores complex, Binya Avenue, Tweed Heads.
He stopped his vehicle inside the automatic gate and waited for it to open. While he was seated in his car a man approached from the passenger side.
The man, described as holding a revolver-style handgun, dressed in black, with a black balaclava and black gloves, pointed the pistol at the driver and got in.
The man held the pistol to the head of the victim and demanded he drive from the location, giving directions to the corner of The Quarterdeck and Companion Way, Tweed Heads.
At this location the man demanded the day’s takings before fleeing from the car on foot.
The victim drove further down the road and contacted police.
A full investigation is now under way, and police are keen to speak with anyone who may have information that could assist.
Members of the public are urged to contact police at Tweed-Byron Local Area Command on (07) 5536 0999, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
