Central West Street Watch: vehicle crashed into light pole, more than 2000 homes lost power in Dubbo

More than 2000 homes in a Central West town lost power following a single-vehicle crash in a light pole. Here is this week’s Street watch.

A man has been unintentionally shot on a property in Coolah. Picture: Richard Noone

DUBBO

Emergency services, including Dubbo Rescue Squad, were called to Whylandra St, Dubbo, following reports of a single-vehicle crash involving a Mitsubishi Magna.

The vehicle reportedly lost control and left the road, crashing into a light pole about 7/50am on January 23.

A male driver, a man his in his 70s, was trapped for a short time before he was extricated and checked by paramedics for his minor injuries.

Orana Mid-Western Police District officers have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

More than 2000 homes in West Dubbo lost power for a time following the incident.

Driver crashed car in property fence in Dubbo. Photo: VRA

COOLAH

Police have established an investigation after a man was unintentionally shot on a rural property in the state’s western region.

Emergency services, were called to a property in Coolah, about 140km northeast of Dubbo, following reports a male had been unintentionally shot about 10.15am on Saturday.

Orana Mid-Western Police District attended and found a 34-year-old man had been shot in the leg.

He was treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics before being flown to Westmead Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

A crime scene has been established and an investigation launched into the circumstances of the incident.

MUDGEE

A man and a woman are expected to appear in Lithgow Local Court on February 1. Picture: Tom McGann.

A man and a woman have been charged following an investigation into multiple break-ins in the state’s central west.

The Rural Crime Prevention Team and Orana Mid-Western Police District established Strike Uji, to investigate rural break-ins in the Running Stream and Aarons Pass area in December 2023.

Officers were told a large amount of property, firearms, cash and a Hyundai I30 were allegedly stolen, and a home was destroyed by fire.

Following inquiries, just after 10.30am on January 17, officers attempted to stop a Holden Commodore at the intersection of Lue and Rocky Waterhole Rd, Rylstone, after checks revealed the car was stolen.

A pursuit was initiated when the vehicle failed to stop, however, was terminated after losing sight of the Commodore in Mudgee.

Police located the vehicle at Madiera Rd, Mudgee, and arrested a man and a woman about 11.45am.

The 26-year-old man, from Blacktown, was charged with aggravated break and enter dwelling in company to steal and stealing a car.

He appeared at Lithgow Local Court last week, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on February 1.

A 36-year-old woman, from Cranebrook, was charged with two counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling in company to steal, aggravated enter a dwelling with intent to steal, enter enclosed land without lawful excuse and stealing a vehicle.

She was also charged with stealing a firearm, damaging property by a firearm and stealing a vessel.

She was also formally refused bail by the same court and is expected to appear on February 1.

Inquiries under Strike Force Uji are continuing.

DUBBO

A man has faced Dubbo Local Court after an alleged police pursuit. Picture: Ryan Young

A man has faced court following an alleged police pursuit in a stolen ute in Dubbo in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Orana Mid-Western Police District officers initiated a pursuit about 1.20am on Sunday, when the driver of the ute on Newell Hwy failed to stop when directed.

The pursuit was terminated a short time later when the driver allegedly reached speeds of 200km/h.

Police allege the same vehicle was sighted on numerous occasions in the Dubbo area travelling at high speed over the following 25 minutes.

Officers deployed road spikes on the Mitchell Hwy, about 1.45am, deflating the ute’s front tyres.

The driver continued into the township before the ute left the road near the L.H. Ford Bridge and stopped.

Brian Smith, 39, was arrested after being chased down by police.

The Dubbo man was taken to Dubbo Police Station where he was charged with stealing a motor vehicle, driving recklessly during a police pursuit and four counts of predatory driving.

Checks revealed the ute was stolen from a business on Mitchell Hwy on Saturday night.

Smith has been refused bail and will next appear at Dubbo Local Court on February 26.

DUBBO

Dubbo Regional Council. Picture: Ryan Young

Dubbo Regional Council is appealing for information following the vandalism of four accessible public toilets last week.

Council is offering a reward of $2500 information leading to conviction of any person who has committed wilful damage, including graffiti, or theft of the toilets at Church St, Elston Park, Cameron Park and Adventure Playground.

Staff are working on getting the hoists operational as soon as possible.

“Vandalism is a selfish act that costs our community and is even more disappointing when our vulnerable community members are impacted,” council staff said.