Batemans Bay Police

Police have identified the body of a man who was found in a shallow grave at Nelligen on the state’s Far South Coast earlier this year.

Strike Force Nellore, consisting of detectives from the Far South Coast Local Area Command, with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, are treating the man’s death as murder and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

On Monday 22 June 2009, police from Batemans Bay together with officers from a number of specialist units and the State Emergency Service personnel, conducted a search of bushland within the Currowan State Forest.

At 9:30am that day, police using cadaver dogs, discovered a grave site near McCardys Creek Road, Nelligen. A crime scene was established and a body was exhumed from the shallow grave the next day.

As part of the investigation, police prepared a report for the Coroner who has since declared the remains as those of missing man Scott Bryan.

Police can confirm that Scott went missing from Batemans Bay after he was dropped off at his home in Short Street about 1:30pm on Friday 21 November 2008; however, he was not reported missing until Friday 5 December 2008.

Scott, who was 34-years-old at the time of his disappearance, has been described as being of white/European appearance, approximately 195cm tall, of solid build with balding hair. He was last seen wearing black track pants, faded black riding boots and a light coloured t-shirt.

Far South Coast Commander, Superintendent Sean Gersbach said the timing of Scott’s disappearance was during the holiday season in Batemans Bay. 

“I believe there might be holidaymakers who were in the area who could hold vital information into the investigation.

“We know Batemans Bay is a popular Christmas holiday destination and I would appeal for any visitors or locals who may have been in the area in December 2008 and saw Scott or has information into his death to come forward.

“People may have seen something as they returned home from their holidays or while travelling through the area and not thought anymore of it until now. I am asking for people who were in the area in December 2008 to cast their minds back.

“The smallest detail might just be the clue to solving Scott’s murder,” said Superintendent Gersbach.

Anyone with information which could assist investigators is urged to contact Batemans Bay Police on (02) 4472 0099 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Callers are reminded they can remain anonymous and all information received will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command

Police from the Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command are appealing for public assistance following a break and enter in Summerland Point on the Central Coast. 

About 10.45pm on Thursday 15 October 2009 two teenagers forced their way into a home on Tradewinds Avenue. 

Police believe the pair woke the elderly couple sleeping inside by knocking loudly on the front door. 

The 73-year-old man, who was asleep in an armchair in the front room, answered the door with his 69-year-old wife. 

As the couple started to open the door, the two young men pushed past and walked inside. 

Once inside the premises the two men demanded cash. 

The elderly couple told the intruders they didn’t have any and the men fled the residence. 

Tuggerah Lakes Police commenced the investigation and have released a com-fit image of one of the men who police believe can assist with their inquiries. 

Anyone with information regarding this break and enter is asked to contact Tuggerah Lakes detectives via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

North Shore Local Area Command

Man charged with indecent assault on intellectually disabled woman-Lane Cove

Police have charged an elderly man with indecently assaulting an intellectually disabled woman after an incident on Sydney’s North Shore yesterday.

About 1.00pm, the 23-year-old woman was walking through a shopping plaza in Lane Cove, when she was approached by an elderly man who allegedly indecently assaulted her.

The woman reported the incident to her mother and it was then reported to police.

As a result of investigations, about 7.30pm last night police from North Shore Local Area Command attended an address in Lane Cove and arrested a 77-year-old man.

He was taken to Chatswood Police Station where he was charged aggravated indecent assault on a person with an intellectual disability. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court on 18 November 2009.

Hunter region

A man has died following a crash involving a motorcycle and a truck in the State’s Hunter region yesterday.

About 2.45pm police and emergency services responded to reports of a two vehicle collision on Sandy Creek Road at Quorrobolong, near Cessnock.

Initial investigations suggest a motorcycle and a truck were travelling in the same direction on Sandy Creek Road when they collided.

As a result of the collision the male rider of the motorcycle, a 57-year-old Bateau Bay man, died at the scene.

Sandy Creek Road was closed in both directions while investigations took place before being re-opened.

Inquiries into the cause of the crash are continuing.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Hurstville Police

Appeal for public assistance following hit and run – Hurstville

Police are appealing for public assistance after a vehicle failed to stop when it struck an elderly pedestrian in Sydney’s south earlier this month.

About 7.30pm on Sunday 18 October, an elderly man was crossing King Georges Road, Hurstville, about 20m north of Forest Road, when he noticed a car turning left into King Georges Road from Forest Road.

The man tried to move out of the car’s way but was struck.

The vehicle, which is not described, reversed back, drove around the pedestrian and fled the scene.

As a result the pedestrian, a 64-year-old Penshurst man, sustained a broken pelvis and a broken leg.

A passing motorist stopped and rendered assistance until the arrival of paramedics. The man was taken by ambulance to St George Hospital. He has since been released.

The driver of the vehicle has only been described as a male wearing a hat.

Investigators are appealing for anyone with information about the incident or the vehicle to contact Hurstville Police on 9375 8599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Lake Illawarra detectives

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man who disappeared on the State’s south coast last month.

Oliver Sims, aged 26 years from Cordeaux Heights, was last seen on Friday 18 September when he attended his work at a university in Wollongong where he worked in the function centre.

Mr Sims failed to return home after his shift that night and never showed up for his rostered shifts the next week.

Police hold grave concerns for Mr Sims’ welfare as his disappearance is described as being out of the ordinary and his family has not heard from him.

Mr Sims is a New Zealand citizen; however, he has strong ties to Australia with relatives in NSW and Queensland.

Checks of Mr Sims bank account also confirms he has not made any withdrawals since the time of his disappearance.

Oliver Sims is described as being of white/European appearance; about 180cm tall, thin build, weighing about 70kg. He has short dark brown hair and blue eyes.

At the time of his disappearance, Mr Sims was wearing a black coloured pin-stripe long sleeve collared shirt, black pants, black shoes and was carrying a black and silver coloured backpack.

Police and family of Mr Sims are appealing for anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact Lake Illawarra detectives on (02) 4295 2636 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Strike Force Gamut

Detectives are investigating a multi-million dollar fraud hunt want man.

Police investigating a major identity fraud racket are seeking public assistance to locate a man after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Investigators have released a photo of 53-year-old Filipino man, Nestor Ching, after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Mr Ching is wanted for alleged money laundering offences.

“Local detectives are continuing their work to identify those behind this racket and take action where possible,” Harbourside Local Area Commander, Superintendent Gary O’Dell, said.

Anyone with information about Nestor Ching is urged to contact Harbourside Detectives via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Information can be provided to Crime Stoppers anonymously and will be treated in the strictest of confidence. A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to an arrest.

Strike Force Raptor

OMCG member arrested, 25 firearms, detonators, mines & drugs seized

Strike Force Raptor officers this morning arrested a member of an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) during a pro-active operation which has resulted in the seizure of 25 firearms along with a vast array of weaponry and drugs.

About 5.30am, officers attended a large property at Sutton Forest to investigate reports of cannabis supply and firearm possession.

A 45-year-old man was arrested at the scene. Police will allege he is a member of the Fourth Reich Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

Officers have executed a search warrant at the property where they located the following items:

• Nine rifles;
• Two shotguns;
• Six pistols;
• Seven revolvers;
• One pen-gun;
• Eight Registered firearms;
• One anti-tank mine;
• One hand grenade;
• Two silencers;
• Eight detonators;
• One gun barrel;
• A number of throwing knives;
• A quantity of ammunition and gun powder; and
• A quantity of cannabis.

The man was taken to Bowral Police Station where he was subsequently charged with the following offences:

• Possess unauthorised firearm (x2);
• Not keep firearm safe (x2);
• Possess unregistered firearm;
• Possess firearm barrel;
• Possess ammunition;
• Possess prohibited drug;
• Possess prescribed restricted substance; and
• Possess prohibited weapon.

The accused has been refused bail and will appear at Goulburn Local Court tomorrow.

Liverpool Police

Liverpool detectives investigating a house fire in Prestons last night unexpectedly located more than 4kg of methylamphetamine (ice) and other chemicals consistent with the manufacturing process of illegal drugs during a search of the premises.

Police and Fire Brigade officers were called to the home in Stansmore Avenue about 1.30pm yesterday after receiving reports of a fire. When they arrived the premises were described by police as being “well alight”.

Burnt out home Stansmore Avenue Prestons

Once the fire had been extinguished hours later and detectives called to the scene to investigate the cause, they allegedly found bags containing large amounts of the drug ice with an estimated street value of $1 million. They also allegedly located large quantities of chemicals that can be used to “cut” the drugs in order to reduce the purity.

During the search, two of the detectives received minor injuries after being exposed to these cutting agents that were allegedly kept in a cupboard. They suffered a burning sensation to their eyes and were treated by a doctor. There is no permanent damage and both have been cleared to return to duty.

Fire brigade investigations

The 32-year-old man who resides at the house was arrested when he arrived home about 9pm. A search of his luxury car allegedly located further resealable bags of the drug ice and more than $10,000 in cash.

Car being confiscated

During a further search this morning police allegedly located another $70,000 in cash on the premises. The search by Liverpool police and specialist chemical operations detectives from the Drug Squad is continuing.

The man was taken to Liverpool Police Station where he was later charged with supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, three counts of supply prohibited drug and charges under the proceeds of crime act. The man’s car was also confiscated.

He was refused bail and will appear in Liverpool Local Court this afternoon.

Eastwood Local Area Command

HIGH RANGE DRINK DRIVING ARREST

About 9.10pm on Friday 23^rd October 2009, a 47 year old male from Darlinghurst was seen driving his motor vehicle in a northerly direction on Pennant Hills Road, West Pennant Hills. The motor vehicle was swerving from one lane to the other. The male was stopped near the Beecroft Road intersection and was subjected to a roadside breath test which proved positive. The male person was arrested and taken to Ryde Police Station where he underwent a breath analysis which provided a reading of 0.203. He was then charged with drive with high range prescribed concentration of alcohol and drive on road while licence suspended. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court on the 29^th October 2009.    

If anyone has information or witnessed this offence, please call Eastwood Police Station on 9858 9299 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.