Professional Standards Command

Man arrested over historic domestic offences

Police have today arrested a 61-year-old Kirrawee man in relation to allegations of historic domestic-related offences.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between 1977 and 1997 in various locations in rural NSW.

The allegations were referred to the Professional Standards Command in 2008 and Strike Force Wyle was established to investigate the matters.

As a result of these investigations the 61-year-old man was this morning arrested at Sutherland and is expected to be charged with:

• 4 counts of attempt murder,
• 2 counts of choking,
• 2 counts of detain for advantage,
• 7 counts of sexual assault,
• 8 counts of assault,
• 2 counts of discharge firearm.

The man is expected to appear at Sutherland Local Court tomorrow (Friday 5 February).

Port Stephens Local Area Command

Road closed following serious collision – Twelve Mile Creek

Motorists are being advised to avoid The Buckets Way at Twelve Mile Creek near Port Stephens after a two-vehicle collision.

At 1.25pm today Police were called to the location after being alerted to the incident.

It is understood the two vehicles were involved in a collision.

Both male drivers sustained serious injuries.

One has been taken from the scene by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the other male driver is being treated at the scene by Paramedics.

The Buckets Way is closed from the Pacific Highway through to Lineburners Creek Road.

Inquiries continue into the collision.

Lake Illawarra Local Area Command

 Detectives appeal for camper witness to come forward regarding Mt Murray murder

Detectives investigating the murder of Mathew Digby would like to speak to a person who was camping near the bushland site where the 35-year-old’s body was located in a burnt-out car last month.

Detectives from Strike Force Gosling today issued the appeal to the man, who was camped on Mt Murray Road near the Illawarra Highway at Robertson, in the Southern Highlands. Police have been told he was camped in a one-man tent and was driving a light blue/purple late-model Hyundai Getz the evening of Sunday 24 January and early 25 January.

They believe this man could provide them with vital information about Mr Digby’s movements prior to his death.

“We are not suggesting this camper is at all involved in the murder, however, we believe he may be able to provide us with information about Mr Digby’s whereabouts in the bushland area in the lead-up to his death,” NSW Homicide Squad, Detective Sergeant Andrew Marks, said.

“We have received information from the public that there was a camper there overnight and it’s important we talk to him. It could greatly assist the investigation into Mr Digby’s murder.”

The body of Mr Digby was found last Monday (January 25) about 7am after a train driver reported seeing a car on fire in bushland near railway lines at Mt Murray/Macquarie Pass, near the township of Robertson. The burnt-out car, a blue Mazda station wagon, was seized by police. Mr Digby’s green Ford Falcon was found abandoned at the Botanical Gardens in Murphys Road, Gwynneville last Friday.

Earlier this week, detectives revealed they were treating Mr Digby’s death as a murder and appealed for any witnesses, or those who knew of Mr Digby’s movements in the days leading up into his death, to come forward.

The camper, or anyone who has further information, is urged to contact Strike Force detectives at Lake Illawarra LAC on 02 42952699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Matthew Digby

Barrier Local Area Command

Broken Hill Police suspend search for Victorian man

Police from Barrier Local Area Command have suspended a five-day search for a Victorian man feared missing in remote scrubland in the far west of New South Wales.

About 7am Friday (29 January), Police from Broken Hill located a red Mazda 3 with Victorian number plates abandoned on Walangi Road, a dirt road 30km north of the township of Silverton.

The owner of the car, 28-year-old Daniel Thomas Rosewall, was last seen by family members when he left his home in Bendigo on 27 January.

During the past five days more than 240 people have been combing a search area of more than 7500 square kilometres without success. Temperatures reached 40 ° C during the first two days of the search.

Resources included:

• General Duties Officers
• Detectives from Barrier Local Area Command,
• Police Rescue Squad,
• NSW and SA SES volunteers,
• NSW and SA Rural Fire Service volunteers,
• South Australian Police, the NSW Police Airwing (Polair 4),
• South Australian Police Airwing (Polair SA),
• Two fixed-wing planes,
• The Dog Unit,
• National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS),
• Local volunteers and land owners.

The search was suspended overnight, pending new information. Media appeals for information have been broadcast throughout NSW, South Australia, and Victoria.

Anyone who has information about the whereabouts of Mr Rosewall is urged to contact Broken Hill Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

He is described as white European in appearance, 178cm tall, with a medium build and short, dark coloured hair. He was last seen wearing a grey collared polo shirt, dark coloured shorts, black business shoes and a baseball cap featuring a “Sox” motif.

Wollongong Local Area Command

Missing Person – Wollongong

Wollongong Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man who was last seen at this home in Chapman in the ACT last month.

Daniel Clement, 22, was reported missing to Woden Police Station in the ACT after he was last seen leaving on Friday 15 January.

The behaviour is out of character for Daniel and Police hold concerns for his welfare.

Daniel’s backpack containing personal items was located on a dirt track in the vicinity of Otford railway station on Tuesday 26 January.

His whereabouts are unknown however Police have information to suggest he may head to Cairns.

Daniel is described as being of slim build, about 183cm tall, with shoulder length curly reddish-brown hair and he was unshaven when last seen by family.

Police are urging anyone with information about Daniel Clement’s whereabouts to contact Wollongong Police Station on (02) 4226 7899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Daniel Clement

Fairfield Local Area Command

Detectives seek witnesses to attempted armed robbery – Fairfield Heights

Detectives in Sydney’s South-West are appealing for witnesses to an attempted armed robbery on a Fairfield Heights bottle shop.

Two female employees were closing the front roller door at the Stanbrook Street business just before 10pm yesterday (Wednesday 3 February), when they observed a man armed with a gun walking towards them.

The gunman attempted to force the door open; however, the two women managed to keep the door closed and call for help.

Police from Fairfield Local Area Command arrived at the scene a short time later but the offender had already fled the area.

Detectives are now seeking public assistance as they continue their inquiries.

The offender has been described as being 165cm tall with a thin build and an olive/tanned complexion. He was wearing a black hooded jumper with ‘1960’ written across the chest in white, black pants and white sneakers at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information about the incident that might be of assistance to investigating officers is urged to contact Fairfield Police Station via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Wagga Wagga Local Area Command

Police investigate attempted ram raid – Wagga Wagga

Police in the Riverina are conducting inquiries after an attempted ram raid on a Wagga Wagga auto parts store overnight.

Just before midnight, an unknown person/s attempted to ram a Toyota Hilux through the front roller door of the Pearson Street business; however, they failed to gain entry to the premises.

The vehicle was seen leaving the area at speed a short time later.

Police from Wagga Wagga Local Area Command and the Crime Scene Section attended the scene and conducted inquiries.

The Hilux was found abandoned at a service station on the Sturt Highway at Ashmont shortly after and was also forensically examined.

Local detectives are now seeking public assistance as their investigations continue.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or any suspicious activity in the Pearson Street area late last night is urged to contact Wagga Wagga Police Station via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Campbelltown Local Area Command

Campbelltown Detectives arrest and charge two men with the murder of Richard Thurman

Detectives have arrested and charged two men over the shooting murder of a man at Ambarvale, in Sydney’s South-West, 12 months ago.

Richard Thurman, 37, was shot a number of times while sitting in the lounge room of his Tisher Place residence on Saturday 14 February last year.

Campbelltown Local Area Command detectives formed Strike Force Austin to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

On Tuesday (2 February), detectives arrested a 21-year-old man from Coomera in Queensland.

Subsequently he was charged with murder and robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon and refused bail to appear in Campbelltown Local Court yesterday (3 February). He was remanded in custody to re-appear in Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday 21 April 2010.

Detectives also arrested a 31-year-old man from Minto, in Sydney’s South-West, yesterday.

He was questioned at Campbelltown Police Station before being charged with murder and robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon.

The man has been refused bail and will appear in Campbelltown Local Court today.

Coffs/ Clarence Local Area Command

Man charged following alleged assault and robbery – Coffs Harbour

A man has been charged following an alleged robbery and assault last night in Coffs Harbour.

At about 10pm (Tuesday 2 February) a 32-year-old Coffs Harbour man was confronted by a man as he walked along Prince Street.

The 32-year-old was punched to the ground and kicked after he refused to hand over money, before his bag was allegedly stolen.

The man was taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

A short time later a table and ceramic pots outside a unit on Prince Street were smashed. A woman was inside at the time.

Police from the Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command attended the scene where they utilised OC spray and arrested a 22-year-old Emerald Beach man.

The man was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where he was charged with aggravated robbery, threaten injury with intent to commit indictable offence and malicious damage.

The man was refused bail and was due to appear in Coffs Harbour Local Court this afternoon.

Wollongong Local Area Command

Woman dies after being injured in crash – Cataract

A woman has died overnight after being injured in a two car collision at Cataract last month.

About 2.45pm on 19 January, a Mitsubishi Triton 4WD was travelling east along Picton Road at Cataract. The car was pulling out of a break down lane when it was involved in a collision with a Mazda 3 sedan.

A rear seat passenger in the Triton, a 42-year-old Gwynneville woman, suffered internal injuries. The woman underwent emergency surgery at Wollongong Hospital before being transferred to St George Hospital, where she died last night.

Wollongong Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to the crash. They are appealing to anyone who might have witnessed the collision and are yet to speak to investigators to contact them via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. All information will be treated in strict confidence.