Manly Local Area Command

Man arrested over woman’s death, skeletal remains located at North Head last year — Homicide Squad

Detectives from the Homicide Squad and Manly Local Area Command have this morning arrested a man following investigations into the death of Melloney Menhennitt following her disappearance from Manly in 2004.

Shortly before 6am today, detectives attended a hostel in Manly where they arrested a 42-year-old man.

He has been taken to Manly Police Station where he currently remains. Charges are expected to be laid.

Today’s arrest follows ongoing investigations into the death of a woman, Melloney Menhennitt, in 2004.

Melloney, who was 23 years old at the time, was reported missing to Police by her parents on Wednesday 24 March 2004 after she was not heard of for some days.

Skeletal remains which have been identified as that of Melloney Menhennitt were discovered on 26 September last year, by people searching for bottles in bushland off North Head Scenic Drive, within the Sydney Harbour National Park.

A subsequent search of bushland at North Head was conducted by officers from the Public Order Riot Squad on 29 September 2009. (Vision of the search was previously issued by Police).

Strike Force Glenidol was established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Melloney Menhennitt and comprises detectives from the State Crime Command Homicide Squad, with assistance from Manly Local Area Command.

Investigations are ongoing and police are continuing to seek a second man who they wish to speak to in relation to the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. All calls can be dealt with in strict confidence.

Leichhardt Local Area Command

Police investigate cause of café fire – Glebe

Police are investigating the cause of a large fire which has caused major damage to a café at Glebe in inner Sydney.

A Police Sergeant was patrolling the Broadway area around 3.30am today when he noticed black smoke in Glebe Point Road.

When he discovered the café well ablaze, he called for backup units and alerted the NSW Fire Brigades and NSW Ambulance Service.

Police evacuated four people from neighbouring buildings and escorted them to safety at a nearby primary school as other officers established a fire zone.

Traffic was diverted around the scene.

The fire was extinguished around 4.40am.

The scene remains under Police guard pending further inquiries by fire investigators.

Surrounding roads have since been reopened to traffic.

NSW Fire Brigade

Campbelltown Local Area Command

Police investigate death of man after trailer crushes truck – Menangle Park

A man has died after he was crushed in the cabin of his truck during an incident at a race track at Menangle Park in Sydney’s South-West yesterday afternoon.

About 2pm, the 56-year-old man was driving a truck and trailer on the property on Racecourse Avenue, Menangle Park, when the incident occurred.

It is believed the trailer of the truck, which was carrying road fill, rolled and landed on the cabin trapping the man inside the vehicle.

Local Police and officers from the Police Rescue Squad attended the scene where they were assisted by officers from the NSW Fire Brigades Rescue Squad and NSW Ambulance Paramedics.

The man was trapped inside the cabin of the truck and died at the scene.

A lengthy operation was conducting including the use of a 30 ton crane to lift the truck and recover the man’s body.

Police and Workcover are conducting investigations into the circumstances leading up to the man’s death and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Richmond Local Area Command

Two drown in beach tragedy – Ballina

A couple has died after a swimming tragedy at a beach in South Ballina last night.

About 7pm, the family of five from Sydney who were holidaying at a local caravan park went to the beach at South Ballina for a swim.

Police have been told the mother, a 44-year-old woman, got into difficulties in the water while swimming and her 42-year-old husband entered the water in an attempt to rescue her.

It is believed the couple got into difficulties in a strong rip and was unable to make it to shore.

One of their daughters rang Triple Zero (000) on her mobile phone while her brother ran to the caravan park to get help.

Residents of the caravan park assisted in removing the man from the water and despite attempts to resuscitate him he died at the scene.

Emergency services attended the beach with the Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and Ballina Jet Boat Surf Rescue Squad locating the woman in the water.

The woman was pulled from the water and transferred to the beach where attempts by Paramedics to revive her were unsuccessful.

The three children, two girls aged 17 and 14 and a nine-year-old boy, were taken to Ballina Hospital where they were treated for shock and are now in the care of relatives.

Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the drowning continue and a report is being prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Mid North Coast Crash Investigation Unit

Man and woman seriously injured after crash – Herons Creek

Police are appealing for information after a two vehicle crash on the State’s Mid North Coast which left a man and woman seriously injured.

About 4.20pm today, a semi trailer and a sedan travelling North on the Pacific Highway at Herons Creek have collided.

As a result of the impact, the sedan has left the road and hit a tree. The male driver, a Port Macquarie local, was trapped by his legs for approximately an hour before he was released.

His passenger, a Wauchope woman, was treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics.

Both were taken to Port Macquarie Hospital for further medical assessment and are each believed to be in a serious condition. It is anticipated the man and woman will be airlifted to John Hunter Hospital.

Inquiries into the circumstances leading up to the crash are still continuing.

Police from the Mid-North Coast Crash Investigation Unit are leading the investigations and are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash and are yet to speak with investigators to call them via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Fraud Squad Commander Col Dyson

Detectives issue warning about card skimming offences – Fraud Squad

Fraud Squad detectives are warning members of the public to be mindful when using EFTPOS terminals following recent incidents of card skimming offences.

Strike Force WIGG comprises detectives from the State Crime Command Fraud Squad with assistance from the South West and North West Metropolitan Regions, and was established in June 2009 to investigate skimming offences involving EFTPOS machines.

Detectives are working closely with interstate and international counterparts as part of the ongoing investigations.

Police wish to remind consumers to take precautionary steps when using EFTPOS terminals.

Detectives warn that offenders can covertly capture card data which is then used to fraudulently withdraw funds from victim’s bank accounts.

Tips for consumers:

• Regularly change your Personal Identification Number (PIN)
• Following an EFTPOS transaction check store receipts for any irregularities – i.e. the store name, details, and location should all match the store from which you made your purchase
• Regularly check your bank statements
• Be aware of the amount of funds you have in your account
• Do not write your PIN anywhere
• Cover your PIN when entering it into a terminal
• Where possible and if it is available to you, use chip technology
• If you have concerns contact your financial institution immediately

Tips for Merchants:

• Be aware of the security around your EFTPOS terminals at all times
• Ensure the terminals are left in a secure location and do not leave EFTPOS terminals unattended or in plain view of the public when they are not in use.
• Regularly check all EFTPOS terminals and ensure that serial numbers are correct

To date, six people have been arrested and charged by Strike Force Wigg detectives in relation to these matters.

Anyone who suspects they have fallen victim to card skimming after using an EFTPOS terminal, is urged to contact their local Police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

City Central Local Area Command

Four youths arrested after alleged robbery at railway station – Sydney

Four youths have been arrested and will face court following the alleged robbery of a man at a Sydney railway station earlier this week.

About 8:30pm, Monday 18 January, a 25-year-old man was exiting Town Hall Railway Station when he walked past a group of seven teenagers.

It is alleged as the man walked past the group one of them asked him a question before punching him in the face.

Police will allege the whole group became involved in the assault on the man before he was able to flee and contact emergency services. He sustained only minor injuries during the incident and had his mp3 player stolen.

Officers from City Central Local Area Command attended the railway station and arrested two 15-year-old and two 16-year-old boys.

The four teenagers were taken to City Central Police Station and charged with aggravated robbery occasioning actual bodily harm and granted bail to appear at Bidura Children’s Court on Tuesday 16 February.

Police are continuing their investigations into the robbery with attempts being made to identify and locate the three other teenagers who were believed to be involved in the assault.

St George Local Area Command

Appeal for witnesses to fatal crash – Dolls Point

Police from St George Local Area Command is appealing for witnesses to a crash yesterday at Dolls Point in which a motorcyclist died.

A 29-year-old man was riding his Ducati motorcycle West along Sandringham Street about 4.15pm when he collided with the rear of a passenger bus turning into Norman Street.

The rider sustained extensive injuries and died at the scene. The 40-year-old bus driver was treated for shock.

The road was closed in both directions as officers from St George Local Area Command examined the scene.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact them at Kogarah Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

State Crime Command Sex Crimes Squad

Sex Crimes Squad Commander John Kerlatec

Sex Crimes Squad detectives issue warning about use of online technology

The State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec reminds parents and children about the safe use of online technology and warns of the dangers associated with online grooming.

“The NSW Police Force is committed to targeting online grooming offences and reminds parents and children to be mindful when using online technology.

“The Internet can be a great tool for children, however social networking sites can be potentially dangerous for children if they are left unsupervised.

“Regular online operations are conducted by detectives at the Child Exploitation and Internet Unit (CEIU) in an effort to detect online sexual predators.

“Parents also play a crucial role with assisting in the prevention of child internet exploitation and we encourage parents to discuss the dangers of Internet use with their children in order to arm them with the knowledge and the skills needed to stay safe,” Det. Supt. John Kerlatec said.

Safe Internet use:

Tips for parents:

• Be aware of how much time your child spends on the internet.
• Spend time talking to your child about the dangers associated with online conversations.
• Spend time exploring the internet with your children and let them teach you about their favourite websites.
• Keep the computer in a room the whole family can access; not in your child’s bedroom.
• Consider installing filtering and/or computer blocking software provided by your Internet Service Provider. The Netalert web page provides information on a number of commercially-available products at www.netalert.net.au.
• Ensure you are able to access your child’s email and randomly check the contents.
• Check your phone bill for unusual outgoing calls, or consider using a ‘caller ID’ device to identify incoming calls.
• Consult your telephone company for options designed to ensure privacy and security.
• Inquire with your child’s school, public library, and places they frequent, to ascertain what Internet safety measures they have in place.
• Information on how internet safety is available on the NSW Police website at:

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/children/child_exploitation

Tips for children:

• Do not send a picture of yourself to anyone you don’t know and never place a full profile and picture anywhere on the Internet.
• Never give out your personal information including name, home address, phone number or school, over the internet.
• Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone you have chatted with on the Internet.
• Tell your parents or another adult of any contact that makes you feel uncomfortable.

State Crime Command Sex Crimes Squad

Sex Crimes Squad Commander Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec

Detectives charge man over alleged online grooming offences – Sex Crimes Squad

Detectives have charged a man following his arrest earlier today in relation to alleged online grooming offences.

About 12pm today, NSW Police Sex Crimes Squad detectives arrested a 22-year-old man at a home on Brooks Road at Rutherford in the State’s North.

Maitland man charged

He was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was subsequently charged with:

• Use carriage service to groom child under 16 years for sex,
• Use carriage service to cause offence.

The man has been granted strict conditional bail and will appear at Maitland Local Court on 15 February 2010.

Maitland man charged

The arrest today follows investigations involving officers from Queensland Police attached to Task Force Argos working in a covert online capacity.

Maitland man charged

It will be alleged the man was sexually explicit during several online communications which took place between May and November 2008.

Queensland Police

Strike Force CEIU comprises detectives from the Child Exploitation Internet Unit and was established to investigate alleged online sexual exploitation of children.