Category: NSW News

Police have charged seven people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 45 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

• About 1am (Saturday 18 April 2020), police were called to Stuart Avenue, Wahroonga, after reports a 15-year-old man had been assaulted in a nearby park. Officers from Kuring Gai Police Area Command attended and following inquiries, two boys – both aged 16 – were arrested at homes in St Ives and Turramurra. One of the boys was charged with affray, not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19, and breach of bail. The second boy was charged with affray and not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19. They were both were refused bail to appear at a children’s court today (Sunday 19 April 2020).

• About 1.20pm (Saturday 18 April 2020), three males attended a home on Belgrave Esplanade, Sylvania, and allegedly threw a rock and a glass bottle at a window. The incident was reported to officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command and following inquiries, two boys – both aged 16 – were arrested at a Miranda shopping centre. They were both charged with destroy or damage property, three counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic), and not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19. They are due to appear at a children’s court on Wednesday 22 June 2020.

• About midnight (Saturday 18 April 2020), officers from Tweed/Byron Police District were patrolling Missingham Park, Ballina, and spoke to three men, before issuing them a warning about the current restrictions under the Public Health Act. Just before 2am the same day, police were called to Owen Street, Ballina, and spoke to five people – three men and two women – who were consuming alcohol. The group claimed they were fishing when warned about the current restrictions, before being moved on from the area. About 2.30am, police were called to Meldrum Park. A 21-year-old man refused to leave and was arrested. Following a struggle with officers, he was taken to Ballina Police Station and charged with not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19, furnish false or misleading information, refuse/fail to comply with direction under Part 14, resist officer in execution of duty, and breach of bail. He was refused bail to appear at Lismore Local Court today.

• About 1.45am (Saturday 18 April 2020), detectives from Redfern Region Enforcement Squad stopped and spoke with a 24-year-old man who was sitting in a stationary car outside a unit complex on Station Street, Newtown. During a search of his vehicle, officers allegedly located $41,180 in cash in a hidden compartment. The man was arrested and taken Newtown Police Station where he was charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime and not complying with noticed direction – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today.

• Shortly before 3pm (Saturday 18 April 2020), officers from South Coast Highway Patrol noticed a Nissan patrol wagon with modifications travelling north on the Princes Highway. Shortly after, officers attended the home of the driver on Gunbar Way, Nowra. A 24-year-old man answered the door, and allegedly became aggressive towards the officer, before spitting at the male senior constable and assaulting him. Further police were called to the scene and the man was arrested. He was taken to Nowra Police Station and charged with seven offences including assault police, resist arrest (x2) and not comply with noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Nowra Local Court on Monday 15 June 2020.

 
Yesterday’s PINs include:

• Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended a home on Nott Street, Merewether, at 12.50am, following reports of a party. Upon arrival, police observed six people sitting on an upstairs balcony area. Three people were directed to leave as it was not their place of residence. One of the men – aged 40 – allegedly refused to leave and yelled at police. He eventually complied and together with a 49-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman, they were issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with Ministerial Directions.

• Four men – aged 19, 23 and two aged 18 – travelling together in a vehicle were stopped by officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District around 10.45pm on Macleay Valley Way, South Kempsey. The 23-year-old man allegedly told police he had been picked up by friends in South West Rocks because he had recently lost his licence and needed to return to his home in Cessnock. All four occupants were issued $1000 PINs.

• Just after midnight, officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command stopped a McLaren 650S travelling on Ward Avenue, Potts Point. The driver, a 43-year-old Fairfield man, told officers he was driving to Woolloomooloo to get petrol. After being warned, he informed officers driving is a form of exercise. The man and his 60-year-old passenger were each issued a $1000 PIN. The driver allegedly told police “do what you want mate, I don’t care. This $1000 fine won’t hurt with my $15 million.”

• About 10.30am, officers from Auburn police Area Command were conducting patrols of Auburn Central Plaza when they stopped and spoke to a 27-year-old man. Police explained the current restrictions and the man left. Police returned to the plaza just before 3pm and spoke to the same man. He was issued a $1000 PIN after allegedly telling officers “I thought you just meant go for an hour.”

• About 8.40am, officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command attended a home on Sheffield Street, Auburn, and found four men congregating in a small room, with one man hiding behind the door. Only one of the four men, a 39-year-old, resides at the address and no one in the group – including a 25-year-old man from Guildford, a 36-year-old man from another Auburn address and a 40-year-old man from Fairfield East – are related. They were each issued a $1,000 PIN.

• About 12.30am, officers from Cumberland Police Area Command stopped and spoke to a 29-year-old man on Pendle Way, Pendle Hill. The man was issued a $1000 PIN after telling police he was out to go a visit a friend.

• About 2am, officers from Inner West Police Area Command stopped and spoke to a 19-year-old woman on Station Street, Enmore. The woman was issued a $1000 PIN after telling officers she was going to pay rent in Lakemba and then drive to Cabramatta to buy a pork roll.

• Just after 4pm, officers attached to Mt Druitt Police Area Command spoke with a 22-year-old man at a shopping centre on North Parade, Mt Druitt, about being in a public place without a reasonable excuse. The man had previously been warned and after telling police he was on his way to a friend’s house to “smoke weed” and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 10.55am, officers attached to South Sydney Police Area Command were patrolling the Waterloo area when they observed a group of about 10 people sitting in a park on Cope Street. The group were all given a warning and left the park. At 2.15pm the same day, police observed two men from the group sitting in a park on Pitt Street with another group of people. All were warned and directed to move on. Shortly after, about 2.45pm, police observed the same two men – aged 71 and 77 – on Raglan Street and issued them with a $1000 PIN each.

• About 6.45pm, offices attached to Sydney City Police Area Command spoke with a 43-year-old man sitting near the intersection of George and Park streets, Sydney CBD. He was warned about being outside his place of residence and allegedly began yelling and swearing at police before trying to walk away. Officers placed the man under arrest, however, he started swinging his hands in the direction of the officers. The man was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Sunday 19 April 2020). He was also issued a $1000 PIN for being out of home without reasonable excuse.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

A boy has been cautioned over a coughing incident in the Hunter Region this week.
Just before 2pm (Sunday 12 April 2020), a 73-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman were walking along Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay, and as they approached the pedestrian crossing, a white Nissan Navara slowed and pulled up beside them.
Police have been told that a boy leaned his head and shoulders out of the passenger window and coughed over the couple.
He and the other occupants in the vehicle started laughing before the vehicle drove off.
The couple contacted police and officers from Port Stephens/Hunter Police District commenced an investigation.
Following an investigation, a 16-year-old boy attended Ryde Police Station and he will be issued a caution under the Young Offenders Act.
Two other occupants of the car have been issued warnings for breaching the Health Minister’s Direction.

A man will appear in court today charged over allegedly spitting and trying to cough on police after he was stopped for riding an unregistered motorcycle in Sydney’s south.
About 5.45pm yesterday (Friday 17 April 2020), officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were patrolling the Beverly Hills area, when they spotted a motorcyclist riding without a helmet on Tooronga Terrace.
Officers stopped the motorcycle to speak with the rider, a 31-year-old man, before he allegedly tried to cough on them and spat at them.
The man underwent a roadside breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result.
He was arrested and taken to St George Police Station, where he underwent a breath analysis test and allegedly returned a reading of 0.079.
The man was charged with 10 offences, including:

• drive with low range PCA,
• use unregistered Class A motor vehicle,
• use uninsured motor vehicle,
• drive motor vehicle unlicensed for Class,
• motorbike rider not wear helmet,
• drive on path,
• resist officer in execution of duty,
• refuse to produce Australian Licence/State Name and residential address,
• not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19, and
• not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19.

The Tregear man was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Saturday 18 April 2020).
 

A man has been fined after he allegedly spat in the face of a security officer at a Central Coast hospital last week.
About 11.30pm on Thursday 9 April 2020, officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District attended a home on Henry Parkes Drive, Berkeley Vale, following reports of a domestic violence related incident.
Police had been told a man had left the home and been involved in a motor vehicle crash nearby on Laguna Avenue before returning.
A 25-year-old man was detained and taken to Wyong Hospital for assessment.
While being treated, the man had to be restrained by police and security. It is alleged the man spat in the face of a 56-year-old security officer.
Following inquiries, the 25-year-old man was issued a $5000 PIN yesterday (Friday 17 April 2020), for not comply noticed direction in relation to spitting/coughing – COVID-19.
Inquiries continue.

Police have charged four people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 19 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

• About 7am yesterday (Friday 17 April 2020), a 44-year-old man was detained by security after entering a residential building in Chatswood and attempting to steal mail. Officers from North Shore Police Area Command attended and located documentation, clothing, a police exhibit bag and jewellery inside the man’s backpack. The man was arrested and assessed by paramedics after he told security he was unwell and had been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. He was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital before being taken to Chatswood Police Station and checks revealed he had received a prior warning under the Ministerial Direction on Saturday 11 April 2020. The Surry Hills man was charged with enter inclosed land not prescribed premises w/o lawful excuse, larceny, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 18 April 2020).

• About 6.30pm yesterday (Friday 17 April 2020), officers from Inner West Police Area Command spoke with a 58-year-old man after observing him drinking on a bench near Newtown Railway Station. Checks revealed the Camperdown man had previously been charged with not complying under the Public Health Act on Wednesday 8 April 2020 and Friday 10 April 2020. The man was arrested and taken Newtown Police Station and charged with detention application and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today.

The other individuals charged have been highlighted in previous media releases.
Yesterday’s PINs include:

• About 5pm, officers from Mount Druitt Police Area Command attended Dawson Mall and spoke to five people consuming alcohol. Four were issued warnings while a 28-year-old man was issued a $1000 PIN after previously being warned. Officers returned to the mall just before 8pm and found a 29-year-old man consuming alcohol. He was issued a $1000 PIN after previously being warned.

• Just after 8.30pm, officers from Murray River Police District stopped an unregistered Audi on Dallinger Road, Lavington. Officers spoke to the occupants who told police they were going shopping. The passenger, a 35-year-old man, was found in possession of tattooing equipment. He was issued a $1000 PIN. The driver, a 27-year-old man, was issued traffic infringements for the unregistered and uninsured vehicle.

• Officers attached to South Coast Police District stopped a 24-year-old man riding a bicycle in a dangerous manner and without a helmet in the middle of Knapp Avenue, East Nowra. Police observed the man throw a small plastic bag onto the footpath. The man was arrested and stated he was on his way to leave the bag, allegedly containing 0.7g methylamphetamine, in a location for a friend to pick up. He was issued a $1000 PIN and a Field Court Attendance for possess prohibited drug and possess implements for the self-administer of a prohibited drug. He is due to appear at Nowra Local Court on Monday 29 June 2020.

• About 4.45pm, officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District spoke to a man at Apex Park, Byron Bay, in the company of a group of people. The 63-year-old was on conditional bail – not to enter Byron Bay – and had also been spoken to by police on three separate occasions in the past 10 days about breaching Ministerial Directions and subsequently issued a $1,000 PIN and charged with breach of bail. He was due to appear at Lismore Local Court today (Saturday 18 April 2020).

• Officers from Wollongong Police District spoke to two men – aged 42 and 55 – after they were observed drinking alcohol in McCabe Park, Wollongong, about 10.45am. The men were each issued a $1,000 PIN.

• At 3.55pm, officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command were patrolling the Kingswood CBD when a 20-year-old man was stopped on Richmond Avenue. Police were aware the Penrith man had been issued warnings on Thursday 9 April 2020 and Tuesday 14 April 2020 and he was subsequently issued a $1,000 PIN.

• About 3am, officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command spoke to a 34-year-old man outside a house on Prospect Highway, Seven Hills. The man had previously been warned by officers on 4 April 2020 at Surry Hills and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• Just after midday, police from Coffs/Clarence Police District were patrolling South Grafton when they noticed a man riding a mountain bike on Vere Street without a helmet. When police spoke to the 42-year-old man he informed officers he had been visiting a friend. Police searched the man and found a small amount of cannabis in his pocket. The man was arrested and taken to Grafton Police Station. He was charged with possess prohibited drug, rider not wear approved helmet and ride bike without working warning devices. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in Grafton Local Court on 6 July 2020. It was also ascertained the man had been issued with a warning on 16 April 2020 by Grafton Detectives and was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 6.30pm, officers from Lake Illawarra Police District were patrolling when they noticed a man and woman walking along Byamee Street, Dapto. The man allegedly told police he had been at a mate’s house. Police searched the pair and will allege they located cannabis in a backpack. The 41-year-old man was arrested and charged with possess prohibited drug. He was granted bail to appear at Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday 15 July 2020. He was also issued with a $1000 PIN for breaching the Public Health Act.

• About 7pm, officers from the Murray River Police District were patrolling when they noticed a man riding a bicycle on the footpath on Griffith Road, Lavington, with no helmet. When police stopped and spoke to the man it’s alleged he became aggressive and argumentative towards police. The 18-year-old man was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being in the area when he lived in Narrandera. Subsequent checks revealed the man was wanted for an aggravated break and enter and he was arrested. He was charged with aggravated break and enter and breach of bail. He was refused bail refused and appeared at Wagga Wagga Local Court today where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at the same court on Monday (20 April 2020). He was also issued with a $1000 PIN.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
 

More than 2500 small businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 have already been approved for grants of up to $10,000 in the first three days of the NSW Government’s new Small Business Support Fund.
Applications opened earlier this week, with Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello, saying getting money out the door to ensure businesses could stay in business and help keep people in jobs was vital.
“This is about providing cash quickly to eligible small businesses when they are struggling. These grants could help your local cafe or corner shop during this very difficult time,” Mr Perrottet said.
The $750 million Small Business Support Fund was announced on April 3 as part of a range of Government support, and can be used to pay for unavoidable expenses such as utility bills and council rates.
Mr Dominello said successful applicants for the grants could receive the funds in as little as five days.
“It is the Service NSW way to make the process of applying for grants as painless and efficient as possible,” Mr Dominello said.
“That’s why we asked them to deliver these grants to small businesses in their hour of need.
“Businesses in highly impacted sectors can expect to have their applications processed quickly and see money in their bank accounts within five days of approval.
“Businesses outside those industry codes will be subject to a manual assessment process which may require slightly more documentation and processing time.”
Eligible businesses must meet a range of criteria including:

• Between 1-19 employees,
• A turnover of more than $75,000,
• A payroll below the threshold of $900,000, and
• Be heavily impacted by the Covid-19 shutdowns.

Businesses will be expected to demonstrate a 75 per cent decline in turnover as a result of COVID-19, relative to an equivalent period in 2019 of at least two weeks.
Applications for the grant must be received by 1 June 2020. For more information on eligibility or to submit an application please visit www.service.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Government has today made a series of regulatory changes to ensure council resources continue to be focused on frontline COVID-19 response efforts and allow councils to provide financial relief to businesses and residents.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the changes acknowledge that councils are redirecting resources to ensure the delivery of essential services to their communities across the State.
“Councils are playing a vital role in supporting and protecting local communities during these unprecedented times,” Mrs Hancock said.
“The changes provide councils with the flexibility to adjust to rapidly shifting circumstances.
“Importantly, they also give ratepayers more time to pay their rates notices and allows councils to provide financial support to businesses suffering from reduced cash flows or forced closure by waiving or reducing fees.”
Amendments to local government regulations include:

• Allowing councils to delay sending out the first quarterly rates notice for 2020-21 and extend the payment deadline by one month;

• Enabling councils to immediately waive or reduce fees for services such as food premise inspections and footpath usage for COVID-19 affected businesses, without the need to provide 28 days public notice;
• Providing councils with a one-month extension to adopt their 2020-21 operational plans and budgets and submit their 2019-20 audited financial statements and annual reports. Councils will also have an extra month to submit their last quarterly budget review statement for 2019-20;
• Removing the requirement for documents to be made available for inspection at council offices, if the document is published on the council’s website or available electronically; and
• Removing the requirement for council notices to be advertised in newspapers and instead allow the relevant notice to be published on the council’s website.

“The NSW Government will continue to work with local councils to identify, develop and implement more measures to support them and their local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mrs Hancock said.

Four teens will face court today charged after a police vehicle was rammed in Sydney’s south-west yesterday.
About 7.50am (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command were patrolling Liverpool CBD, when they saw two stolen vehicles – a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Honda Odyssey van – and followed them.
The vehicles stopped in traffic at the intersection of Orange Grove Road and Viscount Place and police approached them. The Honda allegedly rammed a police vehicle and mounted the median strip before mounting the kerb and hitting bollards in an attempt to flee.
The Honda driver, aged 17, attempted to run but was arrested nearby.
Two passengers, aged 14 and 17, were arrested in the Honda and three teens, aged 16, 14, and 17, were arrested in the Jeep.
They were all taken to Liverpool Police Station.
The 17-year-old male Honda driver was charged with drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not m/v), never licensed person drive vehicle on road, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, and not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19.
The 16-year-old female Jeep driver was charged with take & drive conveyance without consent of owner, driver never licensed, enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner/occupier, and not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19.
The two passengers, a 14-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, were charged with be carried in conveyance taken w/o consent of owner, and Not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19.
They were all refused bail to appear at a children’s court today (Friday 17 April 2020).
The two additional passengers, aged 17, will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
Three officers received minor injuries when the police vehicle airbags were deployed.

Police have outlined the breadth of the investigation under Strike Force Bast and appealed for assistance from passengers from the last two voyages of the Ruby Princess to assist with ongoing inquiries.
Detectives from across State Crime, Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics and Marine Area Commands are conducting inquiries under Strike Force Bast surrounding the docking and disembarking of the Ruby Princess at Sydney Harbour on Thursday 19 March 2020.
The priority of the investigation is to determine whether there was criminal negligence by the company or crew relevant to health issues prevailing on the ship, as well as any actions or omissions by any other entity, including NSW or Commonwealth departments, which may have directly or indirectly related to the death of a person from COVID-19.
This would include the nature of – and deficiencies in – decision-making processes both on-board and on-shore surrounding the management of the vessel, and its crew and passengers.
Strike Force Bast will refer any and all information relevant to jurisdictional responsibilities to the Special Commission of Inquiry.
Information relevant to the circumstances surrounding the deaths of people who either contracted COVID-19 on board the vessel or through contact with a passenger will be reported to the NSW Coroner’s Court in due course.
The State Coroner will not make a decision about whether an inquest will be held until after the criminal investigation and the Special Commission of Inquiry are completed.
Information from the vessel’s voyage data recorder (black box) – which was seized last Wednesday (8 April 2020) – and believed to contain telemetry, as well as engine and systems management, and voice recordings of ship-to-shore communications, is currently undergoing forensic examination.
All necessary inquiries have been conducted on-board and, as communication has been established with the crew, there are no operational or investigative issues that would impede the vessel’s impending departure.
Further, strike force investigators are continuing to receive relevant documentation from the cruise company; the process of logging, triaging and assessing the information is ongoing.
Due to current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in place across the globe, strike force detectives are being flexible and agile in their approach to investigations management and witness contact, which includes a strong reliance on remote communications and digital technology.
In recent days, investigators have provided a survey to the crew currently on board the vessel, which will assist with guiding relevance of information, and witness statements will be obtained remotely, as required.
Strike force investigators will also reach out in coming days to passengers from both the 24 February to 8 March and 8-19 March voyages to conduct a similar survey, which will help prioritise the order in which statements are obtained.
The manifests list passengers from across the globe, including 2995 people on the first voyage and 2647 people on the second voyage – many with travel agents as their primary contact – and at this time, investigators are making their way through the list contacting via email and text.
They will be provided a link to an online questionnaire, which will provide the information directly to Strike Force Bast. This Initial triage will assist with prioritising key witnesses for a timely investigative response.
All passengers who receive the investigator’s electronic survey request are encouraged to complete it as soon as possible.
Passengers who have not received the survey by next Friday (24 April 2020) should register their best contact details with Crime Stoppers online at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au, which will assist with establishing a direct contact within the strike force and ensuring the timely recording of relevant information.
While the rosters show many of the same crew were part of the more the 1100-strong workforce on-board for both voyages, there are numerous members who have since returned to their home country.
Given the expanse of the proposed inquiries – both in volume and distance – this may take some time to complete.
As such, Strike Force Bast may enlist the assistance of interstate and international law enforcement colleagues for liaison and to finalise statements.
These inquiries are expected to include the canvass of some 7000 people, the analysis of thousands of pages of documentation, and hundreds of hours of footage, and information may also be referred to the NSW Government’s Special Commission of Inquiry.
It is of critical importance that detectives ensure they maintain the integrity and thoroughness of this investigation – as they would any investigation – despite the current restrictions and guidelines under the Public Health Act.
Anyone who has information relevant to the investigation, including details of symptoms, illness, or medical advice during the voyage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
The community is reminded that their information is treated in strict confidence.

Police have charged six people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 24 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

• Officers from Newcastle City Police District were patrolling when they stopped and spoke to two men near Steel Street, Newcastle West, just before 2pm (Thursday 16 April 2020). Police will allege one of the men – aged 20 – refused to provide his personal details and repeatedly used offensive language. Following checks, it was established the man had previously been warned and issued a $1000 PIN on Tuesday (14 April 2020) for breaching the Public Health Act. He was subsequently arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with use offensive language in/near public place, breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The Clarence Town man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 17 April 2020).

• About 8.30pm (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Wollongong Police District stopped a Toyota Kluger on the Princess Highway at Figtree and spoke to the driver, a 37-year-old Victorian woman, and her two passengers, as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of GBL under Strike Force Braky. Following a subsequent search of the vehicle, police found 375ml of GBL in a water bottle, two smaller bottles also containing GBL, an electronic stun device, mobile phones and drug paraphernalia including digital scales and a glass pipe. The total estimated potential street value of the drugs is $14,400. The driver was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where she was charged with supply prohibited drug (between indictable and commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. Police will allege the woman was supplying GBL across the Wollongong area. The Bundoora woman was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today. Both passengers were given warnings for not complying with a ministerial direction.

• About 3.15pm (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from the Police Transport Command were patrolling near Wollongong Railway Station, when they stopped and spoke with three men. None of them could provide a reasonable excuse to not be at home. A 19-year-old North Nowra man was charged with breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today. The two other men were issued formal warnings.

• About 8am (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Wollongong Police attempted to stop a man on a bicycle at Fairy Meadow as part of investigations into a number of nuisance calls to Triple Zero (000) made in the early hours of the morning. The 29-year-old man initially ignored direction from police, before he was stopped and searched. During the search, police found a 25cm tactical knife concealed in his pocket and a 30cm hunting knife in his backpack. He was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where he was charged with use carriage service to menace/harass/offend, custody of knife in public place – subsequent offence, breach of bail, goods in custody suspected of being stolen (mountain bike), rider not wear approved bicycle helmet, and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail and is due to appear in Wollongong Local Court today.

• Just before 8am yesterday (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command saw two stolen cars – a Honda Odyssey and a Jeep Cherokee – travelling along the Hume Highway, Liverpool. Both vehicles attempted to evade police, with the Honda allegedly ramming a police car and crashing into the front entrance of a bottle shop. The occupants of both vehicles – six teenagers aged between 14 and 17 – were arrested. Four were charged with a range of offences relating to vehicle theft, drugs, traffic, and breach of bail. Two of the four were also charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. Four of the teens were refused bail to appear before a children’s court today. The remaining two teens were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

• Just after 11.30am yesterday (Thursday 16 April 2020), police attached Liverpool City Proactive Crime Team spoke to a 57-year-old man on Burlison Street, Warwick Farm. Officers searched the man and his Holden utility, seizing cannabis and cash from the vehicle. He was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with drug supply, drug possession, goods in custody, dealing with proceeds of crime and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He is due to appear before Liverpool Local Court on Thursday 11 June 2020.

Yesterday’s PINs include:

• About 3am, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended a service station on Pittwater Road, Brookvale, when they saw a Holden Commodore utility at the bowser. Police spoke to the occupants – a 24-year-old Green Valley man and a 33-year-old Busby man – who could not provide police with a reasonable excuse to travel. Both men were issued $1000 PINs.

• About 5.20am, officers attached to Campbelltown City Police Area Command stopped a blue Nissan Navara utility on Tamborine Drive, Minto, and spoke to three occupants. The female passenger – aged 24 – had previously been issued a PIN on Saturday 11 April 2020 for not complying with a ministerial direction. Due to the occupants being in the vehicle without a reasonable excuse, the woman was issued a second $1000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and two men – aged 20 and 23 – were issued warnings.

• Officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District stopped a Ford Territory station wagon with four occupants on Gordon Street, Port Macquarie, about 12.50am for the purpose of a random breath test. A 21-year-old man had previously been issued a warning for breaching the Minister’s direction on Wednesday 1 April 2020, while a second man – aged 23 – and a 17-year-old girl had also been issued a warning on Thursday 9 April 2020. All four people, including a 15-year-old boy, were unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being out with each other. The two men and teenage girl were issued a $1000 PIN. The teenage boy received a warning.

• About 5.15pm, officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command spoke to a man sitting with a group of other people at Little Hay Street, Haymarket. The man had previously been warned by officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command on Tuesday 7 April 2020 at Bondi for breaching the Health Act and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• Just before 4.30pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling Darling Harbour and spoke to a 29-year-old man sitting in the centre of a water feature using his mobile phone. The Redfern man allegedly told officers he was meditating. He had previously been issued a warning under the Ministerial Direction and was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• Just after 9am, officers attached to Ryde Police Area Command spoke to a 25-year-old man at Hornsby Railway Station. He was issued a warning after telling officers he had travelled from Wyong to have lunch with his brother. About 9.45am, officers spoke to the man again on-board a train at Epping. He allegedly told them he was travelling to Central to collect money from a friend and was subsequently issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 1.50am, officers from Central West Police District were patrolling Calarie Road, Forbes, when they spoke to a 22-year-old man, who was walking on the road with alcohol bottles. When asked where he was going, police allege the man did not provide a reasonable excuse under the Public Health Act. The man was issued a $1000 PIN. Police had issued the man with a warning last Friday (10 April 2020).

• About 3.30pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command issued a $1000 PIN to a 54-year-old man after he was found drinking alcohol in the Royal Botanical Gardens. Police had previously warned the man on Sunday (12 April 2020).

• About 6pm, officers from Lake Illawarra Police District were patrolling when they stopped a 25-year-old man outside a home on Pur Pur Avenue, Lake Illawarra. He allegedly told police he was visiting a mate. Checks revealed the man had received two prior warnings on Saturday (11 April 2020) and Wednesday (15 April 2020) and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.