EMERGENCY ISSUES
Stranger Danger
POLICE are appealing for information after two children were approached by a man in Dubbo last Saturday. At about 12.30pm two 11-year-olds were walking in an east on Jack William Drive in Dubbo when a man driving a white utility with distinctive grey/silver doors and a large toolbox on the tray stopped alongside. It’s alleged the male attempted to engage in conversation by offering lollies and games to the children who ran and notified a nearby resident. Neither child was harmed but police from have commenced an investigation into the incident. The man was described as being in his early 20s with short, dark, spiky hair and police are appealing for public assistance from anyone who was in the Eastridge Estate area at the time. Parents are encouraged to remind children about “stranger danger” and to report any unusual activity to Dubbo Police Station on 6883 1599 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Wello house fire
POLICE have charged a 46-yearold man over a Wellington house fire which saw a 52-year-old man suffer serious burns to more than 60 per cent of his body. Shortly after 5pm on June 27, emergency services were called to Glasson Street after reports of a house well alight. Fire and Rescue officers extinguished the blaze and police established a crime scene, with initial investigations suggesting the fire was deliberately lit. Police will allege the 52-year-old was doused in petrol during the incident. Paramedics treated the man at the scene before taking him to Wellington District Hospital. He was airlifted to Concord Hospital where he remains in a critical condition. A 46-year-old man was later located at another Wellington residence where he was also treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for burns. He was arrested and taken to Dubbo Base Hospital under police guard for assessment before being taken to Dubbo Police Station. The 46 year old has been charged with cause wounding/grievous bodily harm with intent to murder (DV) and was refused bail.
Officer hit by car
IT’S been a dangerous week for some Wellington residents, with a police officer injured while attempting to stop a vehicle in the state’s central west. At 1.05am on June 27 police engaged in a pursuit with a black Holden Colorado in the Wellington area, the pursuit being terminated after the 4WD drove into a shallow river in an attempt to cross the Macquarie. Officers spotted the 4WD just 15 minutes later at a dirt road leading away from the river and attempted to stop the vehicle, with one officer exiting the police car. The 4WD vehicle was driven towards the officer, striking him with the bull-bar to his chest area before driving off. The police officer suffered minor injuries to his wrist and legs and was taken to Wellington Hospital before being transferred to Dubbo Hospital for further treatment. Anyone with information in relation to the black Holden Colorado is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers or Dubbo Police Station on 6883 1599.
Jail busts outside the walls
EIGHT people have been busted and charged in a joint operation at Wellington’s twin jails. Last weekend, Orana police and Corrective Services staff conducted the operation at Wellington and Macquarie Correctional Centres on Mudgee Road at Wellington. The aim of the operation was to identify, disrupt and prosecute persons in relation to the supply of weapons, tobacco, prohibited drugs, pharmaceutical drugs and other items such mobile phones into the facilities. During the operation 408 visitors were screened using drug detection dogs,; 126 vehicles were searched; and 239 people had personal property searched – pretty impressive stats. Officers seized Suboxone strips, white crystal substance, cannabis, tobacco, a syringe, knives and a baseball bat.
Those charged include:
A Dubbo man, 21, with introduce knives to a correctional facility;
An Orange woman, 35, and a Wellington woman, 24, both with supply prohibited drug and introduce prohibited item to a correctional facility;
A Wellington woman, 29, with introduce prohibited item (syringe) to a correctional facility;
A Bourke woman, 21, and a Dubbo woman, 25, both with supply prohibited drug and introduce prohibited item to a correctional facility;
A Griffith woman, 28, charged with two outstanding first instance warrants;
A Wellington male, 28, charged with two first instance warrants and possess prohibited drug (heroin).
Fishing prosecution
FISHERIES officers targeting illegal fishing activities in the Lachlan River near Forbes have nabbed 57 people committing a total of 70 offences. Most offenders were issued official cautions for minor offences but 31 on-the-spot fines were issued totalling $9,250. Eight prohibited-sized Murray Cod and 22 Murray Cod fillets were seized, along with 28 illegal set lines. A 42-year-old woman from Parkes was issued on-the-spot fines totalling $1,000 after being found in possession of five prohibited size Murray Cod and taking more than the daily bag limit. Fisheries officers also conducted patrols of the Barwon River between Collarenebri and Bourke over the June long weekend with more than 150 recreational fishers inspected, 24 offences detected and 25 items of illegal gear seized, including excess lines and traps.
Dog day afternoon
WITH the Parkes’ murder last week reportedly sparked by an argument over barking dogs, the issue of noisy pets has ramped up across the region. Paula-jayne Lyneham took to social media in Geurie in an effort to get owners to keep their pets quiet.
“If you own dogs and they are barking through the night/early morning, can you please have some consideration for your neighbours and do something about it? I’m not talking about barking for 10mins, I’m talking about non-stop barking, the barking has been happening since before 3am and it is still going,” she wrote.
“I didn’t want to have to say something, but this happens way too much and I don’t think it’s right that I and others should have to be kept awake half the night, going to work exhausted, because you can’t look after your dogs and shut them up. Do something about it or don’t have them, it’s inconsiderate to everyone around you.”
Most of the comments were pretty supportive and while dogs are often kept to warn owners that people are on or near their property, if they bark incessantly you really need to sort the problem for the consideration of others.
Trangie break-ins
POLICE are asking the public for information following a series of break and enter offences at Trangie last weekend. About 2am on June 30, two males allegedly gained entry to several cabins and vehicles at a caravan park in Trangie and at about 2.30am it’s alleged two males were seen running towards Burroway Street after attempting to steal a parked vehicle on Mullah Street. Officers from Orana Mid-western Police District have reason to believe the incidents are linked and police wish to interview two men who may be able to assist with inquiries into the incidents. The men are both described as being of medium build, Aboriginal appearance and aged in their mid20s. One of the men was last seen wearing a reflective green hoodie and dark trousers, while the other was wearing a blue jumper, black shorts and was carrying a blanket. Investigations are well underway, and police are appealing for anyone with information or CCTV footage to contact the Narromine Police Station on 6883 1444 or Crime Stoppers.
Supercharged theft
TYLER Shoobert’s had his supercharged VX Holden Commodore stolen and he’d like it returned. He’s offering a reward.
Overtaking lanes
MINISTER for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole might have it totally wrong on the River Street Bridge but he’s 100 per cent right on the need for extra overtaking lanes on the Newell Highway.
He says motorists will soon benefit from a new pair of overtaking lanes at Marthaguy. “The Newell Highway is the freight backbone of NSW and we want to ensure our freight operators have some of the safest, most efficient roads available to them,” Mr Toole said. “The project will be delivered via an alliance model with the private sector, which will see at least 30 additional overtaking lanes built in about four years – half the usual time.” The addition of 30 overtaking lanes is expected to provide 25 minutes of travel time savings and increased safety along the length of the highway. “The ultimate goal of the overtaking lanes is to reduce road crashes on NSW’S longest highway and to ensure everyone who sets off on a journey returns home safely.” Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said the construction of the new overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway improved efficiency for freight operators and provided a real boost for local communities along the Newell like Dubbo, Peak Hill and Gilgandra.
Parkes drug houses
TWO inactive but sophisticated hydroponic cannabis houses have been located in Parkes. On June 27 police attended a vacant home on May Street at Parkes following up on reports of a hydroponic cannabis system set up in the house. On arrival, police found a professional system and a large quantity of cannabis leaf and stem. Following investigations, police attended a home on Hill Street where a second sophisticated inactive hydroponic setup was found. Between 10-20kg of cannabis was located in garbage bags at the home. Investigations continue. Police are appealing for public assistance with the investigation and encourage anyone with information on the occupants prior to November 2018 to contact Parkes Police Station on 6862 9999 or Crime Stoppers.
Send your news tips to [email protected] or 0429 452 245 txt is best
Crime scene: This Wellington address is the scene of alleged arson and attempted murder. PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS/COLIN ROUSE