Raids at Corlette, Anna Bay and Taylors Beach allegedly uncover drugs and stolen goods
Three young men and a woman have been arrested following a series of raids across Port Stephens by police investigating a rise in property offences.
Newcastle
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Three young men and a woman have been arrested and an alleged treasure trove of stolen goods recovered following raids on multiple properties across several Port Stephens suburbs and towns.
The Port Stephens-Hunter Police District’s proactive crime team began an investigation earlier in September following an increase in alleged property crime and break-ins across parts of the Tomaree peninsula.
The investigation first led them to a property on Cutler Cl at Corlette before police attended a second address on Pacific Ave at Anna Bay and then a storage shed at Taylors Beach.
Joshua David Sheridan-Opielinski, 21, was arrested at Corlette and later charged with eight offences including four counts of goods in custody, three counts of possessing a prohibited drug and one count of possessing an unauthorised pistol.
He pleaded guilty to all eight counts in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Wednesday and was sentenced to two years’ jail to be served in the community as intensive corrections order.
He must also perform 150 hours of community service.
Also arrested from the Corlette address was a 25-year-old woman, who was charged with one count each of larceny and break and enter with intent and was granted police bail to appear in court on October 17.
At Anna Bay, Joshua Dylan Hicks, 24, was arrested and charged with a range of offences including three counts of car theft, three counts of break and enter, two counts of possessing a prohibited drug, two counts of goods in custody and one count of deemed supply of a prohibited drug.
He faced Raymond Terrace Local Court on September 15 and was refused bail to reappear on September 26.
A third man, 28-year-old Peter John Wensor, was arrested on Tuesday and later charged with over 20 offences including 10 counts of break, enter and steal.
He was refused bail in Raymond Terrace Local Court to reappear on October 21.
Police will allege they seized drugs, a gel blaster pistol, four stolen motorcycles and a large amount of stolen property including tools during the raids.
They will allege the property was linked to multiple break-ins across Port Stephens.
Investigations are continuing.
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