Rosehill Local Area Command

Three vehicles set alight – Merrylands

Police from the Rosehill Local Area Command are appealing for public assistance following a spate of vehicle fires overnight.

Between the hours of 10pm and 1am this morning, police and fire brigade officers responded to three vehicles being set alight.

A Toyota Echo and a Nissan Pulsar were totally destroyed in Robertson Street, and sometime later a Holden Commodore was destroyed in Blaxcell Street.

A crime scene was established at each location and police will be conducting further inquiries.

Anyone who may have information about this matter is asked to contact Rosehill Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Traffic Services Branch

Assistant Commissioner John Hartley

Police take to the air to target road safety – Operation Safe Arrival 2009

With the Christmas season upon us NSW Police have today unveiled two new initiatives to help combat the growing road toll and make sure everyone makes it home safely.

Police will be out in force from midnight Friday 18 December until 11.59pm Sunday 3 January 2010 as part of Operation Safe Arrival, the annual Christmas/New Year road safety campaign, and this year motorists will be targeted from the sky –with the use of a fixed wing plane.

Cessna 206H Stationair

“This operation sees NSW Police use a fixed-wing plane to target speeding, fatigue and other dangerous driving behaviour from the sky,” said Commissioner Andrew Scipione.

“The ‘Cessna 206H Stationair’ will have trained traffic police who will use the plane to monitor drivers from the air, observing signs of fatigue.”

Cessna 206H Stationair

“Importantly also on board the Cessna is an approved device that measures the time taken for a vehicle to travel between special lines that have been marked on the road by the RTA. Where police on board detect a speeding offence a ticket will be issued by mail to the registered owner. Police will also have the capability to coordinate ground- based officers to intercept the vehicle if necessary,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“Road users should know police are now everywhere targeting speeding – even the sky. The annual NSW road toll currently stands at 444 – 93 more than the same time last year. We don’t want to see more people die.

“Just as there are police cars on the road, we will now have a plane in the sky. You never know when police are watching you.

“On average nine people die on our state’s roads every week. This means that during the two week period that Operation Safe Arrival runs, 18 people will not be there for Christmas, for New Year, for the family get together and the happy times that people celebrate at this time of year,” said Commissioner Scipione.

Traffic Services Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, has re-iterated the Commissioner’s message that police will be out in force.

“Double demerit points will be in effect from midnight next Wednesday, 23 December 2009 and concluding on Sunday 3 January 2010 for all speeding and seatbelt offences,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

“If you break the law this Christmas/New Year period you will be caught. Police will be everywhere, even in the air, targeting the main roads and the backstreets. Irresponsible driving behaviour will not be tolerated. We want everyone to get home safely this holiday period.

“Police are on target to conduct four million breath tests this year. If you plan to drink, do not get in the car and drive, you will be caught and you will be dealt with and feel the full force of the law,” said Assistant Commissioner Hartley

In partnership with the NRMA police have today also launched a poster campaign focusing on reminding drivers of the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving.

“You’re four times more likely to crash when you’re on a mobile phone. Each week police catch around 755 drivers using their mobile phones in their vehicles. The penalty for using your phone is up to $338 and 4 demerit points.

“Our message couldn’t be clearer; don’t risk your life, don’t risk other people’s lives- when you are driving, keep your attention on the road, pull over if you want to take a call or read a text message,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

The posters will be distributed to all Local Area Commands throughout the state for police to distribute to local community groups and businesses.

Operation Safe Arrival will run throughout the state from 0001 Friday 18 December until 2359 on Sunday 3 January 2010, double demerits will apply from 0001 Wednesday 23 December until 2359 on Sunday 3 January 2010.

Gladesville Local Area Command

Man charged with attempted murder – North Ryde

A man will face court next year after he was charged with attempted murder, following an incident in Sydney’s North West earlier this month.

On the evening of Saturday 5 December 2009, a 55-year-old Ryde man was having dinner with friends at a restaurant on Coxs Road, North Ryde.

About 10.30pm, a friend of the 55-year-old became involved in a verbal altercation with a male outside the restaurant.

Following the verbal altercation, the male contacted a number of friends who were nearby.

The 55-year-old man also became involved in the altercation when one of the males allegedly produced a knife and stabbed him in the stomach a number of times.

Following the incident, the 55-year-old drove himself to Ryde Hospital. He was later transferred to Royal North Shore Hospital where he underwent surgery.

About 9.30am on Friday 11 December 2009, following investigations, an 18-year-old Baulkham Hills man attended Ryde Police Station with his solicitor.

He was subsequently charged with attempted murder and refused bail to attend Ryde Local Court on 4 February 2010.

During investigations a 17-year-old male was also arrested at his home in North Ryde. He was subsequently charged with affray and was refused bail to attend court on 20 December.

Investigations into the incident are continuing and investigators urge anyone with information to contact Gladesville Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Burwood and Miranda Local Area Commands

Police link Drummoyne and Sylvania aggravated indecent assault

Police are warning the public and asking for their assistance in locating a man allegedly responsible for two aggravated indecent assaults on Saturday (12 December).

Child interference suspect

About 8.30pm, a mother and her two children entered a fast food restaurant on Victoria Road, Drummoyne to have dinner. During dinner, the mother left the table and walked only metres away to the counter to order dessert.

When she was gone a man grabbed the 4-year-old boys face and gave him a kiss on the lips and then handed him a lolly pop from his pocket.

Child interference suspect

The man fled the Drummoyne restaurant in a small white hatchback vehicle, believed to be a Hyundai Getz or similar, with yellow and black number plates.

The second incident occurred about 10.20pm at a fast food restaurant on Princes Highway, Sylvania. A woman with her daughter and son entered the store and all three went to the toilet.

Child interference suspect

Whilst in the men’s toilet the 11-year-old alleges a man touched him inappropriately and kissed him on the mouth. The man threatened the boy not to tell anyone before running from the store.

The 11-year-old informed his mother and the store immediately. Police were later contacted by the family.

Child interference suspect

CCTV footage of both incidents show a man aged between 45-55, about 170cm tall with distinct square rim glasses, wearing a blue baseball hat, blue shirt and pants and carrying a shoulder bag.

Police have today issued footage (Drummoyne) and a still photograph (Sylvania) of a man who they believe can assist with inquiries. Police believe the images depict the same man and are urging anyone with any information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Restaurant carpark

Bankstown Highway Patrol

Police seek public assistance after officer narrowly missed by speeding vehicle – Bass Hill

Police are seeking public assistance after a speeding vehicle narrowly missed an officer conducting speed checks in Sydney’s South West last week.

During the afternoon of Friday 11 December a police officer from Bankstown Highway Patrol was conducting stationary speed detection duties with a hand held radar on The Hume Highway, Bass Hill.

About 3.45pm, the officer observed a white Toyota RAV4 with a male driver, driving in the closest lane to him. The RAV4 was allegedly seen to accelerate and drive towards the officer at a speed well in excess of the posted speed limit.

The officer was able to avoid the car by jumping from the roadway behind a power pole. He escaped without injury.

Following the incident, the officer attempted to pursue the vehicle without success.

Investigations since the incident have been unable to locate the car or driver.

Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet spoken to police or anyone with information about the incident to contact Bankstown Highway Patrol via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Blacktown Local Area Command

Police are seeking public assistance to locate a 14-year-old girl reported missing from Blacktown.

The 14-year-old girl was last seen at a residence in Seven Hills about 1am (Sunday) 1 November 2009.

The child’s carer alerted police after they discovered the girl was missing about 1pm that day.

Police from Blacktown Local Area Command attended the residence and conducted inquiries.

Concerns are held for the young person’s wellbeing due to her age and the length of time she has been missing. The young girl is known to frequent the Toongabbie area.

The young girl is described as being of white/European appearance, 150cm tall thin build with long curly black hair. There is no description of her clothing other than she always wears black.

Anyone who sees the young girl or has any information about her current whereabouts is urged to contact Blacktown Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Burwood Local Area Command

Police investigate serious assault – Strathfield

Police from the Burwood Local Area Command are investigating the circumstances that have left a man in hospital overnight.

About 11.30pm, a woman, aged 26 and her husband, aged 24, were at home in their unit on Everton Road, Strathfield, when two men forced their way in.

Both of the men – believed to be known to the woman – grabbed her and allegedly forcibly removed her from her home and into a vehicle parked outside.

In an attempt to stop the men from taking his wife, the 24-year-old man received injuries to his head and had the top of his finger bitten off.

The man was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where he is being treated.

The woman was located in Newtown and she is currently assisting the detectives at Burwood Police Station.

Police are searching for the two men involved and are asking anyone with information to contact Burwood Detectives or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

St. Marys Local Area Command

Police appeal for public assistance following abduction attempt – St Clair

Police from the St Marys Local Area Command are appealing for public assistance following an attempted abduction involving an eight-year-old boy in St Clair yesterday.

About 6.30pm on Sunday (13 December 2009), the boy was standing at the intersection of Hunter Street and Melville Road when he saw a vehicle travelling slowly towards him.

The vehicle has been described as a small white hatchback with no hubcaps and yellow and black number plates.

The vehicle stopped near the young boy and the driver, covered only in a fluffy blanket, asked the boy to get into the car.

Police believe the man attempted to entice the boy by telling him he would give him lollies.

The boy refused to get in and ran from the man, telling his parents upon his arrival home.

Police were immediately contacted and an investigation is underway.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have information about this incident to contact St Marys Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Burwood Local Area Command

Police appeal for public assistance over aggravated indecent assault – Drummoyne

Detectives from the Burwood Local Area Command are appealing for public assistance following the aggravated indecent assault of a four-year-old boy in a restaurant over the weekend.

About 8.30pm on Saturday (12 December 2009), a mother and her two children entered a fast food restaurant on Victoria Road, Drummoyne, to have dinner.

During dinner, the young boy’s mother left the table and walked two metres to the counter to order dessert.

As she turned her back, a man approached the children at the table.

The man grabbed the four-year-old boy’s face and kissed him on the lips, then handed him a lollipop from his pocket.

The man fled the restaurant in a small white hatchback vehicle, believed to be a Hyundai Getz or similar, with yellow and black number plates.

The man is described as being aged between 45-55, about 170cm tall with distinct square-rim glasses. At the time he was wearing a blue baseball hat, blue shirt and pants, and carrying shoulder bag/satchel.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have information about this incident to contact Burwood Detectives via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Monaro Local Area Command

Fatal motor vehicle crash – Cooma

A teenager died in a two-vehicle crash in the State’s South East yesterday.

About 11.40am a Hyundai hatchback was travelling along the Monaro Highway towards Cooma, about 10km south east of Cooma, when it and a Toyota Land Cruiser four-wheel-drive, travelling in the opposite direction, collided.

As a result the driver and sole occupant of the Hyundai, an 18-year-old female German national living in the ACT, was trapped for some time before being released by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

She was taken by ambulance to Cooma Hospital but died.

The driver and sole occupant of the Toyota, a 68-year-old man, was not injured.

Inquiries into the cause of the collision are continuing.

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