EMERGENCY REPORT
Alleged illegal fishers caught
BETTER late than never. For some reason the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) couldn’t seem to find time to email me any photos of the gear confiscated in the bust of alleged illegal anglers out near Warren in time for last week’s paper, so here it is this week (see below).
Two men, a 49-year-old from Dubbo and a 58-year-old from Wongarbon, were apprehended on Saturday, June 27, on the Macquarie River downstream of Warren following covert surveillance of the alleged offender.
DPI claims the men were seen to take nine Golden Perch and one Murray Cod, and were apprehended by NSW Fisheries officers with the assistance of NSW Police Rural Crime Investigator officers.
Seven fish traps, nine Golden perch, one Murray cod, one grapnel (grappling hook), as well as one of the offenders’ boat, motor and trailer were all seized during the operation and the men are both facing proposed charges under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 for unlawfully using traps and possessing fish illegally taken.
The man from Dubbo is also facing an extra charge of failing to prevent fisheries offences while master of the boat. The maximum penalty for each offence is $22,000 and/or six months’ imprisonment.
Merino ewes stolen near Hargraves
RURAL crime police are investigating the theft of 60 Superfine Merino ewes, Grathlyn Blood, from a property on the Hill End Road, Hargraves.
The ewes are between four to six years of age, September shorn and have earmarks consisting of a small diamond out of the bottom, offside ear and Grathlyn and Tallarook (NF435021).
Police believe the theft occurred prior to June 30. If you have any information about this incident, or you believe you know the whereabouts of these sheep, please contact Rural Crime Investigators at Mudgee on 02 6372 8530 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Five charged with highrange PCA over weekend
WESTERN region police say they’re disappointed that five drivers were caught with highrange PCA throughout the region over the weekend.
A 26-year-old man was detected by the highway patrol near Mt Lambie travelling at speed, he was pulled over and taken to Lithgow Police Station where a breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.172.
Western Region Traffic Tactician, Insp Ben Macfarlane, said that thoughtless driver behaviour needs to stop, your choice to drink and drive puts everyone on the road at risk.
“We are out in force and will continue to target drink driving offences throughout Western Region,” he said.
“If you drink and drive, expect to be caught and have your licence suspended immediately,” he said.
Other western region incidents include a 43-year-old man being stopped on Byrnes Street, Wilcannia, and returning a positive roadside breath test, later returning an alleged reading of 0.168.
A 61-year-old man was stopped on Lorne Street, Lake Cargelligo, and was taken to the local police station where a breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.155.
A 29-year-old man was stopped on Mitchell Street, Wee Waa, and after a positive roadside test he was taken to the local police station where a breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.162.
Cops allegedly threatened, spat on
ON July 5, police were called to Cumborah Road, Walgett, responding to reports that a man was walking on the road, and in and out of traffic.
When officers approached the man, they allege he threatened them with a metal hand tool.
The 51-year-old man was arrested a short time later and taken to Walgett Police Station where he allegedly spat in the face of a leading senior constable.
The man has been charged with use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, fail or refuse to comply with requirement of police officer, five counts of intimidate police officer in execution of duty, possess prohibited drug, destroy or damage property, and three counts of assault police officer in execution of duty.
The man was refused bail to appear at Walgett Local Court.
WWII diary found in Sydney supermarket, reunited with Dubbo family
A DIARY recording a woman’s time in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during World War II through poems and photographs has been reunited with the author’s Dubbo family.
Found on the floor of a supermarket in the Sydney suburb of Gordon, the diary was handed in to police and then identified as being penned in 1943 by Margo Cooper, who passed away in March 2011.
Extensive inquiries spanned across Australia before Senior Constable Carisa Parker and Senior Constable Colin Mitchell managed to track down one of Mrs Cooper’s daughters, Rosie Gibson who lives in Dubbo.
The diary was presented to Ms Gibson by Orana Mid-western Police District’s Inspector Natalie Antaw on July 2.
S/cst Parker shared in the moment by phone, describing the process as one she will treasure.
“I was so pleased when we found Rosie – when we called, she was just ecstatic because it was her mum,” S/cst Parker said.
“The day I called Rosie to tell her, it was actually her mum’s birthday and that she would have turned 98.
“She said it was the best birthday present she could have had.”
Ms Gibson said she hoped to one-day meet S/cst Parker in person to personally thank her for going above and beyond in returning the diary.
Ms Gibson said the phone call was like winning the lottery.
“I want to thank her so much for her wonderful efforts in finding me and bringing this diary back to our family,” Ms Gibson said.
“I can’t get over how beautifully my mother used to write, and the diary is in such good condition. It was just wonderful to get the news on what would have been Mum’s 98th birthday.”
Insp Antaw said she was happy to be part of returning the heirloom back to the family.
“To be able to bring the diary home to her daughters so they could cherish it and see the lovely words their mother had written, that’s a very special moment for me as a police officer,” Insp Antaw said.
The diary contained poetry and photos as well as daily entries.
Margo Cooper was born in 1922 and appeared with her two sisters in a radio commercial singing the Aeroplane Jelly jingle.
Car on fire on South Buninyong Road
HOW many times are cars left abandoned on the side of the road, often stolen, only to be torched before owners are found or they’re towed away.
We really need a state government system that ensures no cars can be left unattended or uncollected – the cost and danger to the community would be worth the money spent getting them towed to a secure yard as soon as possible.
Locals were predicting this car on South Buninyong Road (pictured below) would be torched. It had been sitting there for a few days, the wheels had been removed as the first step in its demise.
Disqualified Dubbo driver charged after pursuit
A 21-YEAR-OLD Dubbo man is slated to face court next month following a pursuit in the early hours of June 30.
About 2.25am police were patrolling the streets of Dubbo when they attempted to stop a vehicle on Baird Drive.
Officers allege the vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated and a short time later the vehicle entered the grounds at Dubbo Hospital where it came to a stop and the driver exited.
Police allege the 21-year-old driver violently resisted arrest and was subdued a short time later.
He’s been charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.
He was refused bail and appeared at Dubbo Local Court, and remanded in custody to appear at Dubbo Local Court on August 25.
Pawnshop regs looked at
THE NSW Government is seeking community and industry feedback on proposed changes to the Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Regulation 2015.
The review is seeking feedback on whether the regulation is continuing to meet its objectives of restricting the trade of stolen goods, combating property theft, and protecting consumers who enter into pawn agreements.
The draft regulations, Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Regulation 2020, keep many of the current rules but include minor updates such as how licences are displayed, modernising the terminology of ‘second-hand goods’, and phasing out exemptions to electronic record-keeping for small dealers.
The existing Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Regulation 2015 is due for automatic repeal on September 1, 2020, and consultation is open until Friday, July 31.
Mexican border closed
I SNUCK across the Murray River in 1983 and have lived in NSW ever since, a mere 37 years prior to the border crossing restrictions coming into force on the night of July 7-8, so I just made it.
Victoria is in a mess with its outbreak of Coronavirus and it’s a shame because that will have a major impact on Dubbo’s economy, with this city sitting astride the major inland route from Melbourne to Brisbane.
At our deadline time the advice was that any NSW residents returning from Victoria must self-isolate for 14 days – an edict that applies to residents returning from anywhere in Victoria and not just those coming from Melbourne.
What it will mean for the border towns of Albury-wodonga, Yarrawonga-mulwala, Cobram-barooga, Echuca-moama, etc, is anyone’s guess, although the NSW Government advice was that provisions would be in place for residents of border regions such as Albury-wodonga, whatever that’s going to mean.
Police seek help finding Dwayne Fuller
ORANA Mid Western Police are seeking information from the public to locate Dwayne Fuller (pictured), who is wanted on a warrant.
Police have been unsuccessful in locating him and are now seeking assistance from the community.
Even if you do not know him, police are encouraging the public to help spread the word.
If anyone has information on his whereabouts, please contact Dubbo Police on 6883 1599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information can also be provided confidentially via the Crime Stoppers online reporting page at www1police.nsw.gov.au.
Fuller is known to frequent the Dubbo area.