Manning-Great Lakes Local Area Command

Man dies in surf – North Coast

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the death of a 61-year-old man holidaying on the North Coast last night.

About 6.45pm (Monday 25 January) the man entered the ocean at Blueys Beach, just South of Forster, with a friend. The surf was one metre in height.

Police have been told the man was seen body surfing a wave and shortly after was seen floating in the water.

Two off-duty life guards began CPR on the man and continued for 25 minutes until ambulance officers arrived.

The Newtown man could not be revived.

Police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.

Bankstown Highway Patrol

Cars seized, licenses suspended after two men caught street racing – Revesby

Police have confiscated two cars after the drivers were allegedly caught street racing in Revesby yesterday (25 January).

About 7pm Bankstown Highway Patrol were patrolling Milperra Road as part of Operation Safe Return.

The officers observed two vehicles – a red Honda CRX and a grey Honda Integra – being driven West along Milperra Road.

Both drivers then accelerated through the intersection of Milperra Road and Edgar Street at a speed of no less than 120 kp/h.

The highway patrol officers stopped the vehicles and charged the two drivers a 20-year-old man from Roselands and a 21-year-old man from Punchbowl with street racing and exceed speed by more than 45 kph.

Both men had their cars confiscated and their licenses suspended on the spot.

The men will appear before Bankstown Local Court on February 18, 2010.

Green Valley Local Area Command

Strike Force Sloman – Man to face court today on drugs, firearms charges

A man Police will allege is a “prospect” for the Hell’s Angels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) will appear before a Sydney court today charged with drug and firearm offences.

The man was arrested yesterday (Monday 25 January) as part of Strike Force Sloman, which comprises officers investigating the alleged sale of illegal drugs in Newcastle nightclubs.

About 9am yesterday Strike Force Raptor officers and Gangs Squad detectives executed a search warrant at a property on Fifteenth Avenue, Kemps Creek.

Strike Force Raptor was established to investigate the illegal activities of OMCG members.

During the search Police will allege they located and seized an amount of drugs, including cocaine, cash, mobile phones, steroids, firearms and ammunition and other weapons, including an extendable baton.

Also found and seized was an orange corn snake, which is native to Central America.

Police also allegedly located a disused hydroponic cannabis crop site and an inactive clandestine drug laboratory.

A search of the laboratory allegedly revealed various chemicals, including hydrochloric acid, glassware and crystal substances believed to be amphetamine-based and used in drug manufacture.

A 27-year-old Kemps Creek man was arrested and taken to Green Valley Police Station to be interviewed.

He was charged with:

• One count of supply cocaine of an indictable quantity
• One count of posses prohibited weapon
• Three counts of possess ammunition
• One count of possess drug
• One count of deal with suspected proceeds of crime
• One count of possess protected fauna.

The man was refused bail and will appear before Parramatta Local Court today (26 January 2010).

A 32-year-old woman was searched at the premises and Police will allege they located amphetamine and MDMA. The woman was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for three counts of possess prohibited drug.

Liverpool Local Area Command

Police appeal after carjacking – Liverpool

Police have released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in relation to a car-jacking in Liverpool last Monday (11 January).

About 9am, a 47-year-old woman had parked a Black Honda CRV on the top level car park of a shopping centre on Macquarie Street, Liverpool, when she was approached by a man who demanded her car keys.

Liverpool carjacking

The man pushed the woman before getting in the vehicle and driving away.

The vehicle was sighted a short time later by Police and it was pursued for a short time, but the pursuit was terminated shortly after. The vehicle has since been recovered.

Liverpool carjacking

The man in the CCTV images who Police would like to interview in relation to these matters is described as being of white/European appearance, about 180cm tall, thin build and at the time he was wearing a green short sleeve shirt, dark knee length shorts and he was holding a dark coloured plastic bag.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Liverpool Police on (02) 9821 8444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Newtown Local Area Command

Three charged following theft of Australian National Flag from Newtown RSL

Police have charged two women and a man after the theft of the Australian National Flag from the Newtown RSL sub-branch in Newtown overnight.

About 10pm (Monday 25 January) the man allegedly scaled the steel fence of the RSL on Station Street and scaled a wall.

He then allegedly climbed onto a bin and onto the porch of the club’s hall and, using a pair of chicken shears, cut the ropes that attached the Australian National Flag that was flying from the pole.

One of the two women was allegedly assisting him by holding the ropes while the other woman kept a lookout.

The man then allegedly put the flag in his carry bag and the three left the scene on pushbikes.

A short time later Police spotted three persons riding pushbikes in nearby Holt Street.

Police allegedly spotted the man come to a stop and reach into the bag he was carrying and throw the Australian Flag onto a step.

Police searched the bag and allegedly found a pair of chicken shears.

Police arrested the three and took them back to Newtown Police Station for questioning.

A man and woman, both aged 27 and both from Darlington and a 27-year-old Waverley woman have been charged with theft.

All three were bailed and will appear before Newtown Local Court on February 16.

Police will return the flag to the RSL’s President today.

Lake Illawarra Local Area Command

Police investigate after body found – Mt Murray

Police are conducting an investigation after a body was found in a burnt out car South of Sydney yesterday morning.

About 7am authorities were alerted to a vehicle on fire in bushland off Mount Murray Road, Mount Murray.

Fire services attended and extinguished the fire and upon closer inspection a badly burnt body was found inside the vehicle.

Detectives from the Goulburn and Lake Illawarra Local Area Command’s, as well as officers from the State Crime Command Homicide Squad attended the scene yesterday.

A crime scene was established and has been examined by forensic officers.

The body has not yet been identified and inquiries are continuing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Illawarra Police on (02) 4295 2699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Manly Local Area Command

Probationary Constable Matthew Flattery

Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command

Off-duty police officer saves swimmer – Bateau Bay beach

An off-duty Police officer has been recommended for a bravery award after saving a swimmer in distress on the state’s Central Coast last week.

About 2.10pm on Wednesday 20 January, a 21-year-old man became caught in a strong rip at Bateau Bay beach.

The man was carried 300 metres out to sea and was in distress as he was struggling to stay afloat in treacherous conditions.

Off-duty 27-year-old Probationary Constable Matthew Flattery, attached to Manly Local Area Command, entered the water after collecting a body board from another swimmer.

He swam out to the man and helped him hold on to the body board and await rescue. Both were too exhausted to swim back to shore.

Attending Police from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command had grave concerns for the welfare of the two as they were unable to be located in the heavy swell.

Surf rescue and a rescue helicopter were called and they still could not be located. From an elevated vantage point, Police directed a jet-ski to the men and they were brought back to shore.

The actions of the Probationary Constable were made with total disregard for his own safety and as a result he has been recommended for a bravery award by responding Police.

Superintendent David Darcy, Commander of Manly LAC said “We are very proud of Matt. If it wasn’t for his courageous actions it’s pretty clear a life would have been lost”.

Shoalhaven Local Area Command

Father dies trying to save sons – Lake Conjola

Police from Shoalhaven Local Area Command are preparing a report for the information of the Coroner following the death of a man during the rescue of three boys from surf on the State’s South Coast.

Superintendent Wayne Starling said shortly prior to 7.30pm yesterday a 48-year-old man was walking across the inlet at Conjola Beach.

“At the time the father was with his two sons, aged nine and 13, and a 17-year-old friend. The swell was two to three feet high and the children became caught in a rip. The father went into the ocean to save them.”

“The three males made their way to safety and sadly lost sight of the 48-year-old man. A number of community members including board riders and persons staying on holidays from a nearby caravan park put their lives at risk in an attempt to locate the father,” Superintendent Wayne Starling said.

He was found shortly before 8pm unconscious and was brought to the beach where CPR was attempted, however he never regained consciousness. The NSW Ambulance Rescue Helicopter was diverted to the scene however Paramedics were also unable to revive him.

“The Newtown man was holidaying with his family at the nearby Town of Behringer Lake,” Superintendent Wayne Starling said.

Police from Shoalhaven Local Area Command are preparing a report for the information of the Coroner.

Police have issued a warning that unpatrolled beaches can be hazardous especially if people are unfamiliar with the area. People should only swim at patrolled beaches and should take care to familiarise themselves with an area before venturing into the surf.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, and have not yet spoken with Police, is urged to contact Ulladulla Police on (02) 4454 2542 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

NSW Ambulance Service

Look out for those BBQ mishaps on Australia Day

No doubt we will all be dusting off the BBQ tomorrow and preparing to celebrate Australia Day with a sausage in one hand or for some a lentil burger in the other.

Whilst the opportunity to come together for a good Aussie BBQ is great, there is the potential for accidents and serious injury.

Paramedics have attended a number of BBQ related accidents and some of these injuries can be very severe. In one case, a young man put an accelerant on the BBQ which then splashed onto him. He was set alight causing severe burns to his hands, leg and chest and spent months recovering from his injuries.

Tips to look out for when using your BBQ:

• Gas cylinders can be dangerous: Ensure you store them correctly when picking them up from your Hardware store/ Petrol station. Make sure they are not out of date, in good working condition and look for any leaks or unusual smells coming out of the bottle.

• Accelerants used on the BBQ are very dangerous. Never put flammable liquid onto a barbeque.

• Keep children away from hot plates and flames. Watch out for exploring little fingers near your BBQ.

 Should someone get burnt, follow these tips:

•  Remove yourself from danger away from the flames

• Call Triple Zero (000) and ask for Ambulance/ Fire Brigade

• Cool the burnt area with cool water for a minimum of 20 minutes. Cold Showers are an excellent way to cool down a burn.

• Do not put anything on the burn.

• Follow the advice of the Triple Zero (000) Ambulance operator who may give you additional first aid tips prior to paramedics arriving.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch

Police urge people to enjoy Australia Day celebrations safely and responsibly across NSW

On Australia Day the community comes together to celebrate what it means to be Australian and Police encourage people to enjoy the celebrations safely and responsibly.

Police across NSW will be out on patrol as part of OPERATION MEDALLION with Police deployed across the 34 Forward Commands in the Sydney Metropolitan area, Southern, Northern and Western NSW.

Commander of OPERATION MEDALLION, Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch, says the aim of this year’s Police operation is to ensure people have a good time with their mates and enjoy the festivities.

“Australia Day is about celebrating our easy going, family orientated, beach and barbecue lifestyle and Police wish everyone a safe and enjoyable day,” Assistant Commissioner Murdoch said.

“There will be in excess of 2000 Police officers across the 34 Forward Commands, giving up their Australia Day, to help you enjoy yours. So come up and say g’day to the Police because we are there to ensure you have a good time safely with your friends and families.

“However, anyone intent on interfering with others enjoyment of our national day, or who make life uncomfortable for people because of their anti social behaviour, will be dealt with swiftly by Police.

“A crowd in excess of half a million people is anticipated in the Sydney CBD for the festivities and this will be the central focus of the Police operation,” he said.

“Nonetheless, people across NSW will gather at home with backyard barbecues, at restaurants, at pubs and clubs as well as public venues and police will be out and about to make sure people have a great day,” said Assistant Commissioner Murdoch.

When planning your Australia Day if you kick off early, pace yourself when drinking alcohol, show some personal responsibility, eat something and drink plenty of water and look after your mates. Secure your belongings in public places and lock up your homes if you’re heading off for the day.

Public transport is the best way to get into the Sydney CBD – so leave the car at home. To plan your trip visit www.131500.com.au and click on trip planner, or phone Transport Info on 131500.