Critical incident declared following pursuit and crash - Coffs/Clarence PD
Thursday, 12 December 2024 12:30:09 PM
A critical incident investigation has been declared following a police pursuit and crash near Coffs Harbour today.
About 7.45am (Thursday 12 December 2024), police were patrolling the Pacific Highway at Tucabia – about 15km east of Grafton – when they attempted to stop a vehicle due to its alleged speed.
When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated; however, was soon terminated due to the manner of driving.
A second pursuit was initiated a short time later, before the car allegedly conducted a U-turn at Dirty Creek into the path of an oncoming truck, resulting in a collision.
The driver of the vehicle, a 19-year-old man, was treated at the scene by police and NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital in a critical condition.
The driver of the truck, a 50-year-old man, was not injured; however, was taken to Grafton Hospital for mandatory testing.
A crime scene has been established and the scene will be forensically examined by the Crash Investigation Unit.
A critical incident team from Mid North Coast Police District will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The investigation is also subject to an independent review.
As inquiries continue, anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The Pacific Highway at Dirty Creek is expected to remain closed northbound for some time.
Diversions are in place and delays are expected. For traffic updates visit: www.livetraffic.com
Missing hiker located safe - Tweed/Byron PD
Wednesday, 11 December 2024 03:05:35 PM
A missing hiker has been located safe on the state's far north coast.
The 54-year-old was believed to have been hiking at Wollumbin when he was last heard from about 9.30pm on Saturday 7 December 2024.
Police were told that the man spoke with a friend that night, indicating he was lost in the Wollumbin National Park.
When he was unable to be contacted on Sunday (8 December 2024), police attached to Tweed/Byron Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Officers, with assistance from NSW and Qld PolAir, NSW Police Rescue, NSW Ambulance, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, NSW SES, RFS and VRA conducted an extensive search.
Following inquiries, about 12:35pm today (Wednesday 11 December 2024, the man was located on Tyalgum Road, Tyalgum, after walking out of bushland.
He was taken to Murwillumbah Hospital for assessment and treatment for minor lacerations.
Police would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.
Critical incident declared after man shot - Grafton
Wednesday, 11 December 2024 10:56:02 AM
A critical incident investigation is underway after a man was shot by police in the states far north coast this morning.
About 6.30am (Wednesday 11 December 2024), officers attached to the Coffs/ Clarence Police District were called to a park on Ryan Street, Grafton, responding to reports of a concern for welfare.
On arrival, police located and attempted to engage with a man.
The man allegedly approached police and threatened them with a knife before he was shot by police.
The officers immediately rendered first aid until the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics.
The man was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable but serious condition.
The police officers were not physically injured.
A critical incident team from Richmond Police District will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The investigation is also subject to an independent review.
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 information via NSW Police social media pages.
Man charged over alleged stabbing and pursuit - Northern Rivers
Sunday, 08 December 2024 08:18:59 AM
A man will appear in court today via audio visual link after being charged following an alleged stabbing and pursuit in the Northern Rivers.
Emergency services were called to Ballanda Crescent, Iulka, about 4.30pm yesterday (Saturday 7 December 2024), following reports a man armed with a knife had allegedly forced his way into a home and attacked the resident.
Officers attached to Coffs-Clarence Police District attended along with NSW Ambulance paramedics, but the 58-year-old man died at the scene.
A crime scene was established and inquiries commenced into the circumstances surrounding his death.
A short time later, police attempted to stop a man driving a 4WD ute north along the Pacific Highway.
When the driver allegedly ignored police directions, a pursuit was initiated and continued north from Iluka to Woodburn, where road spikes were successfully deployed by officers attached to Coffs Traffic and Highway Patrol Command.
The ute continued to Uralba Street, Woodburn, where a 41-year-old man was arrested.
He was taken to Lismore Hospital for assessment, before being taken to Lismore Police Station and charged with murder, predatory driving and police pursuit-not stop-drive dangerously.
He was refused bail and will appear via audio visual link today in Parramatta Local Court.
Man charged over alleged DV and pursuits in Northern NSW
Saturday, 07 December 2024 07:18:56 AM
A man will appear in court today after being charged over an alleged domestic violence incident and a number of police pursuits in the state’s Northern Rivers.
On Sunday 17 November 2024, Richmond Police District commenced an investigation following an alleged domestic violence incident.
An arrest warrant was issued for a 22-year-old man.
Officers will allege in court the man engaged in pursuits on Monday 18 November 2024, Monday 2 December 2024 and Wednesday 4 December 2024 in a bid to avoid arrest.
About 5:45pm yesterday (Friday 6 December 2024), the 22-year-old was located traveling south on the M1 Motorway, Tweed Heads in a four wheel drive.
When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, a pursuit was initiated, before being terminated due to safety concerns.
A short time later, the four wheel drive exited the motorway at Minjungbal Drive, Banora Point and allegedly collided with a sedan which was stopped at traffic lights, pushing the stationary vehicle into a marked police car travelling in the opposite direction.
The 22-year-old man allegedly abandoned the four wheel drive and forcibly removed a male rider from a moped, before driving off.
The man allegedly drove at police vehicles on the M1, before falling off the bike and attempting to run from the scene.
He was arrested by officers and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station and charged with:
Reckless grievous bodily harm (DV);
Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous;
Negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm);
Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period;
Drive conveyance taken wihtout consent of owner;
Use class A vehicle with unauthorised number plate affixed;
Police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously;
Destroy or damage property;
Not give particulars to other driver;
Assault with intent to take/drive motor vehicle - Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous;
Police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously;
Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty
He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 7 December 2024).
Appeal to locate men wanted on warrants - Coffs-Clarence Police District
Friday, 06 December 2024 06:03:46 PM
Please note: Images of the wanted men are available on Coffs-Clarence Police District’s Eyewatch social media site.
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate two men wanted on outstanding arrest warrants by Coffs-Clarence Police District.
Richard Carey, aged 37, and Dray Riley, aged 26, are wanted on outstanding warrants for domestic violence offences.
Officers attached to Coffs-Clarence Police District are conducting inquiries into their whereabouts.
Richard is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm-180cm tall, of solid build, with black hair and facial hair, and blue eyes.
Dray is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm-180cm tall, of thin build, with black hair and facial hair, and brown eyes.
Anyone who sees the men is urged not to approach them but to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators 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 information via NSW Police social media pages.
Man charged after allegedly pointing gun at officer - Tabulam
Friday, 06 December 2024 10:40:33 AM
A man will face court today after he allegedly pointed a loaded gun at a police officer following a pursuit in the state’s far north east.
Officers attached to Richmond Police District attempted to stop a car due the alleged manner of driving in Tabulam about 3.30pm yesterday (Thursday 5 December 2024).
When the male driver allegedly failed to stop, police initiated a pursuit.
The driver stopped in Alice and when an officer attempted to arrest the man, he allegedly pointed a loaded pistol at the officer.
The officer discharged his Taser and the man was arrested.
During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly located and seized drugs, cash, ammunition and magazines, a balaclava, large machete and other drug paraphernalia.
The 24-year-old man was taken to Casino Police Station and charged with 17 offences:
> Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly
> Possess unauthorised pistol
> Possess unauthorised firearm
> Possess loaded firearm public place
> Use, supply, acquire, possess stolen firearm or part
> Use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention
> Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority
> Assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm
> Intimidate police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm
> Hinder or resist police officer in execution of duty
> Supply prohibited drug
> Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
> Drive while licence cancelled
> Custody of knife in public place
> Two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime
> Two counts of goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle).
He was refused bail to appear at Casino Local Court today (Friday 6 December 2024).
Police will allege in court the pistol was stolen from a business in Armidale in September 2024.
Man charged after allegedly threatening staff with toy gun - Ballina
Friday, 06 December 2024 08:42:09 AM
A man has been charged after allegedly threatening bank employees on the states far north coast yesterday.
Police were told about 11am (Thursday 5 December 2024), a man entered a financial institution on River Street, Ballina, and allegedly threatened staff before showing an employee what appeared to be a firearm.
The man left and walked across the road to another financial institution where it is alleged he again threatened staff before showing the employees what was believed to be a firearm.
There were no reports of injuries.
Officers attached to Richmond Police District attended and arrested a 36-year-old man a short distance away on River Street, Ballina.
Police searched the man when they located a toy gun.
The man was taken to Ballina Police Station and charged with two counts stalk / intimidate intend fear physical harm.
He was refused bail and appeared before Ballina Local Court yesterday (Thursday 5 December 2024) and is now bail refused, to appear before the same court on Thursday 23 January 2025.
Man charged over alleged pursuit - Far North Coast
Wednesday, 04 December 2024 12:51:03 PM
A man will face court today charged over an alleged pursuit on the Far North Coast yesterday afternoon.
About 2.10pm yesterday (Tuesday 3 December 2024), officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District were alerted by Queensland Police that an SUV – which was allegedly driving dangerously - had entered NSW near Tweed Heads and was being driven south along the M1.
NSW Police intercepted the SUV a short time later on the M1 at Cudgera Creek and attempted to stop the vehicle.
When the driver allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated, continuing south where road spikes were deployed.
The tyres deflated and the vehicle came to a stop on the M1 at Wardell where a 31-year-old Queensland man was arrested.
He was taken to Lismore Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously, learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester, class A motor vehicle exceed speed greater than 45km/h - estimated, drive vehicle under influence of drugs, refuse or fail to submit to breath test, and refuse or fail to submit to breath analysis.
He was refused bail to appear before Lismore Local Court today (Wednesday 4 December 2024).
