Two charged after alleged armed robbery spree

Police have two charged two males after an alleged armed robbery spree in the state’s north.

Officers from Richmond and Tweed/Byron Local Area Commands, as well as State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, established Strike Force McLymont to investigate a string of armed robberies that occurred on the Far North Coast in late January and early February.

About 6.20pm today (Thursday 7 February 2013), police arrested two men, aged 24 and 34, at a motel in Adamstown.

They were taken to Waratah Police Station where they were both charged in relation to five armed robbery offences including:

• A sandwich shop on Ballina Road, Lismore, on 22 January 2013 (knife allegedly used)
•  A takeaway shop at Banora Point on 26 January 2013 (handgun allegedly used)
• A video store with at Banora Point on 28 January 2013 (handgun allegedly used)
•  A hotel in Lismore on 31 January 2013 (handgun allegedly used)
•  A credit union in Casino on 4 February 2013 (handgun allegedly used)

The 24-year-old man was also charged with possess unregistered firearm after a semi-automatic handgun was allegedly located in a motor vehicle at the time of the arrest.

It is understood he is also wanted on arrest warrants in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

The 34-year-old man was also charged with five counts of conceal serious offence.

They have both been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Friday 8 February 2013).

Three men arrested at protest – Doubtful Creek

Police have arrested three men during an operation at Doubtful Creek near Kyogle.

“The men were arrested today (Thursday 7 February, 2013) as part of a police operation monitoring protest action outside a property, where an energy company is conducting legally sanctioned works at Doubtful Creek,” police said.

“Approximately 300 protestors are at the site. The majority of protestors have complied with police directions; however, a small number of people have been arrested.”

A 38-year-old man from Nobbys Creek was charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction and enter enclosed land without lawful excuse.

A 46-year-old man from Dyraaba was charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction and enter enclosed land without lawful excuse.

A man, aged 63, from Larnook was charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction and enter enclosed land without lawful excuse.

All three men were refused bail to appear at Casino Local Court today (Thursday 7 February 2013).

A 35-year-old woman from Richmond Hill was issued a criminal infringement notice for enter enclosed land without lawful excuse.

A 47-year-old woman from Lismore was charged with resist/hinder police in the execution of their duty and enter enclosed land without lawful excuse.

Richmond Local Area Commander, Acting Superintendent Michael Dempsey, urged all protesters to act within the confines of the law or face being arrested.

“Officers are working with protesters to ensure the company can lawfully access their site,” A/Superintendent Dempsey said.

“Everyone has the right to protest peacefully; however, when this obstructs traffic, interferes with people’s safety and hinders their work, action must be taken.

“All reasonable directions given by police must be adhered to.

“Criminal offences and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. Police will take appropriate action.”

Arrests made at coal seam gas protest – Kyogle

Police have arrested three people during an operation at Doubtful Creek near Kyogle.

They were arrested today (Tuesday 5 February, 2013) as part of a police operation monitoring protest action outside a gas company, which is conducting works at Doubtful Creek, near Kyogle.

A man aged 39 from Byron Bay was charged with 2 x counts of resist/hinder police in the execution of their duty. He has been refused bail and will appear at Lismore Local Court today.

A man aged 55 from Woodenbong was issued a criminal infringement notice for offensive conduct.

A man aged 25 from Roseberry was charged with disobey a reasonable direction and was refused bail. He will appear at Casino Local Court on 7 March, 2013.

Richmond Local Area Commander, Acting Superintendent Michael Dempsey, urged all protesters to act within the confines of the law or face being arrested.

“Officers are working with protesters to ensure the company can lawfully access their site,” Acting Superintendent Dempsey said.

“Everyone has the right to protest peacefully, however, when this obstructs traffic, interferes with people’s safety and hinders their work, action must be taken.

“All reasonable directions given by police must be adhered to.

“Criminal offences and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. Police will take appropriate action.”

Man charged after shots fired at house – Rappville

A man will reappear in court next week after a shooting incident in the state’s north earlier this year.

About 3.15pm (Thursday 12 July 2012), police were called to Nandabah Street, Rappville, after shots were fired into a home.

Officers attached to Richmond Local Area Command attended and located bullet casings outside the home and damage to the front door.

No one was home during the incident and there were no injuries.

Police were told a vehicle stopped outside the home before the male driver fired a number of shots and sped away from the scene.

On Friday, 16 November 2012, detectives from Richmond Local Area Command extradited a 22-year-old man from Queensland.

He was taken to Lismore Police Station and subsequently charged with Fire firearm at dwelling house with disregard for safety, Possess loaded firearm in a public place and Possess unauthorised firearm.

After being refused bail the 22-year-old appeared in Lismore Local Court where he was refused bail and will reappear in Lismore Local Court on Monday 19 November 2012.

Man dies after alleged assault – Casino

A man allegedly punched to the head in the state’s north earlier this month has died in hospital.

Shortly after midnight on Sunday 16 September 2012, police were called to Barker Street, Casino, following reports of an assault near a hotel.

Police found a 52-year-old man lying unconscious on the road and a second man, aged 38, suffering facial injuries.

The unconscious man, Peter Morris, was transported to Gold Coast Hospital where he was placed on life support in a critical condition.

Mr Morris died on Monday night (24 September 2012) after his life support was switched off.

A 53-year-old Casino man, who had been charged with reckless grievous bodily harm in relation to the incident, will have the charge upgraded to a homicide offence prior to his next appearance in Lismore Local Court on 2 October 2012.

Investigations into the incident continue.

Man critically injured in assault – Casino

Police are investigating an assault which has left a man in a critical condition in Casino.

Shortly after midnight (Sunday 16 September), police were called to Barker Street in Casino following reports of an assault near a hotel.

Police found a 52-year-old man lying unconscious on the road and a second man, aged 38, suffering facial injuries.

The unconscious man was transported to Gold Coast Hospital where he is on life support in a critical condition.

The other man was treated at Casino Hospital and subsequently released.

Police have been told the two men were the victims of an assault.

A short time after the incident, investigators were called to a Lismore hospital after a 52-year-old man was admitted with minor injuries.

He has been spoken to in relation to the assault but not charged. Investigators expect to interview him again in the near future.

They believe there was at least one other assault which occurred in the Casino area overnight but which were not formally reported.

Anyone who witnessed any violent incidents around Barker Street in Casino last night or early this morning is urged to contact Richmond Local Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Fatal crash near Casino

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the death of a man in single-vehicle crash in the state’s far north today.

About 8.40am (Sunday 2 September 2012), a 50-year-old man was driving his Toyota Hilux utility along Old Tenterfield Road at Wyan, south-west of Casino, when the vehicle left the road and collided with a tree.   A man who witnessed the incident called emergency services, but the driver died before they arrived.

The crash is being investigated by the Richmond LAC Crash Investigation Unit.

Research targets the geochemistry of coastal river dead zones

Southern Cross University has partnered with a regional flood mitigation authority to investigate better ways to manage water quality in the Richmond River, especially during summer floods when blackwaters draining from coastal wetlands devastate the river system by causing widespread deoxygenation events and fish kills.

Southern Cross University and Richmond River County Council were successful in receiving $320,000 in funding for the project through the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Projects scheme announced recently by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans.

Read more

Shooting incident – Rappville

Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident in the state’s north yesterday.

About 3.15pm (Thursday 12 July 2012), police were called to Nandabah Street, Rappville, after shots were fired into a home.

Officers attached to Richmond Local Area Command attended and located bullet casings outside the home and damage to the front door.

No one was home during the incident and there were no injuries.

Police have been told a vehicle stopped outside the home before the male driver fired a number of shots towards the home.

The vehicle then sped away.

Detectives have launched an investigation into the incident and are appealing for any witnesses, who haven’t already spoken to police, to come forward.

The vehicle is described as being a white Holden utility with Queensland registration plates.

The driver, and sole occupant, is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of fair complexion, with short hair, a goatee and thin face.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Richmond Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

All calls to Crime Stoppers are treated with the strictest confidence.

Charges laid after 87-year-old man attacked – Casino

A teenager is due to appear in Lismore Local Court charged over the alleged home invasion and assault of an elderly man at Casino last week.

The 87-year-old man was asleep in his home at Acacia Street, Casino, about 1.45am last Tuesday (22 May), when he woke and saw a youth allegedly smash a glass sliding door.

The teen allegedly knocked the man to the ground and held him, demanding money.

The alleged intruder was given cash and he ran from the house.

The elderly homeowner suffered bruising and cuts during the attack.

Acting on information, Casino Detectives arrested an 18-year-old man at a home in Macdougal Street, Casino, yesterday (26 May).

The youth was taken to Casino Police Station, where he was charged with one count of aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence with violence.

He was refused bail to appear in Lismore Local Court tomorrow (28 May).

Next Page »