Man charged over alleged break-ins – Tweed/Byron LAC
March 10, 2012
A man has been charged following a number of alleged break-ins in the state’s north.
Since January, police from the Tweed/Byron Local Area Command have been called to a number of businesses between Ballina and Tweed Heads, that were allegedly broken into.
During these incidents a number of items were stolen including pharmaceutical drugs, cash boxes, laptop computers and personal items.
About 9.30am Friday 9 March 2012, police arrested a 59-year-old man in Kingscliff and took him to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was subsequently charged with break, enter and steal, deal in proceeds of crime, possess housebreaking implements and revocation of a parole warrant.
Search warrants were executed on the man’s home and vehicle with a large number of items seized. He was refused bail to appear at Lismore Local Court on Saturday 10 March 2012. Investigations are continuing.
Police conduct inquiries after child approached – Ballina
March 10, 2012
Police are conducting inquiries after a girl was approached by an unknown man and woman in Ballina yesterday. About 6.30pm (Friday 9 March 2012), an 11-year-old girl was riding her bike on the footpath of River Street, when a silver sedan displaying red P plates pulled onto the footpath next to her.
A man was driving the car and there was a woman sitting in the front passenger seat.
The woman asked the girl if she wanted to get into the car and offered her some lollies.
The girl declined the offer and rode away on her bike.
The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 20 years old with short brown hair.
The woman is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 18 years old with long brown hair. She was wearing a green t-shirt.
Meanwhile, the incident has again prompted police to encourage parents to teach their children the ‘Safe People, Safe Places’, including:
• Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times. • Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. • Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police. • Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust. • Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop. • If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared.
Anyone with information or who may have seen this vehicle in the area is urged to contact Ballina Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man arrested over armed hold-up – Tweed Heads
March 1, 2012
Police have charged a man with the armed robbery of a bank in the State’s north last year.
About 10am on Tuesday 20 December 2011, a man allegedly entered the bank on Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South, carrying what appeared to be a double barrel shotgun covered in a pillow-slip.
Police will allege the man demanded cash from bank staff, before fleeing on foot with a sum of money.
Officers from Tweed Heads Local Area Command attended and launched an investigation into the matter.
Today (Thursday 1 March 2012), police executed a search warrant at an address in Banora Point, seizing a number of items.
A 20-year-old man was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station, where he was charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon.
He was refused bail to appear in Tweed Heads Local Court today (Thursday 1 March).
Police investigate armed robbery of tavern – Ballina
February 27, 2012
Police are investigating the armed robbery of a licensed premises at Ballina last night.
About 10pm, Sunday 26 February 20122, two men entered the tavern on the Pacific Highway and approached three members of staff.
The men, armed with an axe and crow bar, demanded money before restraining the employees by tying their hands together.
One of the staff members was then forced to open the safe before the pair stole an amount of cash and fled the scene.
The three members of staff, a man and two women, were not injured during the robbery and were able to raise the alarm, with police attending the tavern a short time later.
A crime scene was established and examined by specialist forensic officers.
Police conducted extensive patrols of the area with the assistance of a police dog but were unable to locate the armed men.
Investigations into the armed robbery are continuing and anyone with information about that could assist with inquiries is asked to contact Lismore Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man dies attempting to cross flooded road – Coutts Crossing
February 1, 2012
A man has died attempting to cross a flood-affected road at Coutts Crossing, just south of Grafton.
About 9.50pm yesterday (Tuesday 31 January 2012), a 66-year-old man from Coutts Crossing was driving towards Grafton and tried to drive across a low-lying flood-affected road.
The car he was driving has become immersed in water and stopped. It appears the man got out the car and entered the water which was approximately 160cm deep and was swept into a culvert and washed underneath the roadway. A passing motorist has seen the car in the water, stopped and commenced to search for the driver.
Police attended the scene and discovered the owner of the car was a local man. They commenced a search and located the body of the man about five metres from the car and attempted to revive him without success.
Police are now preparing a report for the Coroner.
Weather Situation Update for North Coast NSW
January 25, 2012
The State Emergency Service says that heavy rainfall is predicted to continue in the northern half of the Norther Rivers area over the next 24-48 hours.
With rainfalls of up to 200mm overnight, flooding continues across the area. Rainfall averaging 80-100mm is expected, with the potential for very heavy, localised falls up to 250mm in the Tweed area.
There is a high potential for flash flooding in the area and the Bureau of Meteorology has a Severe Weather Warning in place.
There are also eight Flood Warnings, a Flood Watch and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning in place. People in the affected areas are advised to check the Bureau of Meteorology’s website for updates on the warnings.
Man drowns in Richmond River – Ballina
January 22, 2012
Police from the Richmond Local Area Command are preparing a report for the coroner following the death of a man at Ballina yesterday.
About 4.30pm (Saturday 21 January 2012), a 35-year-old Korean National was swimming with three friends in the Richmond River at an area known as ‘The Spit’, near the Missingham Bridge.
Police were told all four swimmers were in up to their waists when all have come into difficulty.
A local surf instructor noticed the men and went into the river to assist, and managed to get three of the swimmers back to shore.
It was then noted that the 35-year-old man was still missing.
Police were called and a search for the man commenced utilising a jet boat rescue vessel and the Westpac Helicopter.
The man was pulled from the water unconscious and was unable to be revived.
Inquiries are continuing.
Police seize $7.5m worth of cannabis during Eradication Program
January 21, 2012
Police have seized $7.5 million worth of cannabis in Richmond Local Area Command during the second group of raids in the 2011-2012 Cannabis Eradication Program.
Strike Force Hyperion comprises detectives from the Drug Squad’s Cannabis Team, with assistance from the NSW Police Air Wing, Police Dog Unit, Radio Electronics Unit and officers from Richmond Local Area Command.
During the past week, Strike Force Hyperion officers targeted more than 60 cannabis crop sites throughout Richmond Local Area Command, including Kippenduff, Rappville, Clearfield, Busby Flat, Mummulgum, Bulldog, Drake, Nimbin, Blue Knob, Kyogle and Tabulam.
A total of 3734 plants were located and seized by police during the operation.
Three female youths arrested following beach robbery – Yamba
January 15, 2012
Police have arrested and charged three female youths following a robbery at Yamba.
About 3.45pm yesterday (Saturday 14 January 2012), two Sydney women were sunbaking on Pippi Beach in Yamba when they were approached by three young people.
One of the youths, armed with a large stick, allegedly attacked one of the women, striking her on the back of the head and shoulders.
The youths then rummaged through the women’s bags, taking a wallet and cash, before running from the scene.
Police were contacted and immediately commenced a search for the youths.
Two youths, aged 15 and 12, and matching descriptions provided to police, were sighted on Robinson Street shortly after the search commenced. However, upon spotting police, the youths ran into a nearby golf course.
Police pursued them, arresting one in the golf course and the other at a property in Robinson Street a short time later.
The third youth, an 11-year-old, was arrested in nearby bushland.
All three young people were taken to Yamba Police Station.
The 15-year-old was charged with robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon (in company), resisting arrest, breaching bail and having suspected stolen goods. She was refused bail to appear via video link at Parramatta Children’s Court today (Sunday 15 January 2012).
The 11-year-old and 12-year-old were charged with robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon (in company). Both were granted conditional bail to appear before the Maclean Children’s Court on 14 February 2012.
Police officer charged with alleged indecent assault – Goonellabah
January 5, 2012
A male police officer has been charged following an alleged indecent assault in Goonellabah last year.
The constable, who is a serving officer attached to Northern Region, was served with a future court attendance notice today (Thursday 5 January 2012), charged with assault with act of indecency and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The charges relate to the alleged indecent assault of a woman at her home in Goonellabah on Saturday 5 November 2011.
He is due to appear in Lismore Local Court on Thursday 16 February 2012.
The officer’s duty status is under review.
