THE BEAT: Manhunt underway, public asked to stay away from South Burnie beach
A woman who travelled from Victoria has been fined after breaching government hotel quarantine with her young child, allegedly catching a taxi. LATEST FROM POLICE >>
Tasmania
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For the latest, follow The Beat, the Mercury’s live breaking news blog with the latest traffic, police, fire and ambulance news across the state.
Fine for hotel quarantine breach
4PM TUESDAY:
A woman who travelled from Victoria has been fined $774 after breaching government hotel quarantine with her young child yesterday.
The breach occurred at 6.20pm last night from the Ibis Hotel in Hobart and they were returned to quarantine by police at 7.40pm.
Tasmania Police say they travelled in a taxi during the time that they were out of quarantine. Public Health contact tracers are working to establish any other movements and contacts.
“As an additional public health precaution the woman will be subject to testing and more frequent COVID-19 screening for symptoms to ensure the earliest possible identification of any disease,” Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said.
“Appropriate contact tracing and quarantining of any further contacts will be immediately implemented if required.
“In Tasmania, domestic hotel quarantine is provided by private security firms – which has provided and continues to provide a high standard of security since the start of the pandemic.
“Tasmania Police continues to provide support to private security, including call-when-needed and regular checks at hotels.”
Tasmania Police was called as soon as the incident occurred last night and it was resolved quickly.
“The model for domestic security has served us well in keeping the community safe – we have had very few issues with non-compliance.”
MANHUNT UNDERWAY AFTER COASTAL CRASH
9AM TUESDAY
TWO men are in custody after a search involving multiple officers and a drone at a Burnie beach this morning.
The search was conducted after an evade incident on Monday night and a crash on Tuesday morning.
Police say that at 11pm last night a red Holden Crewman Ute evaded police on Simpson St, Somerset.
A search was conducted but the vehicle was not located.
On Tuesday morning, just before 8.30am, the same ute was seen by police in the Wivenhoe area of Burnie.
Police attempted to intercept the vehicle again but the drivers evaded police again.
Spikes were deployed but it failed to stop and was last seen travelling east towards Penguin before it was spotted near Old Surrey Rd on the Bass Highway.
The driver failed to negotiate the Old Surrey Rd corner and crashed through a fence
into the Old Pulp Mill site and stopped.
Witnesses at the scene told police two men then ran from the vehicle across the highway towards South Burnie Beach.
After a short search the men police were looking for were found hiding in beachside scrub and were taken into custody without incident.
The Crewman Ute will be examined and an investigation into the manner of driving conducted.
Police would like to speak to anyone who has dash cam footage or saw the vehicle or
men. Information can be provided to Burnie Police on 6477 7211 or 131 444.
CAR CRASH DAMAGES POWER POLE
7.30PM FRIDAY
A vehicle has collided with a power pole in the state’s North.
Police were called to the scene at Melrose Rd, between Buster Rd and Paloona Rd, in Devonport.
The section of road has been closed until further notice while the power pole and powerlines are repaired.
No serious injuries have been reported.
DROWNING — DEVONPORT
2.15PM FRIDA Y
A 60-year-old man is dead after a suspected drowning while swimming at
Coles Beach in Devonport.
Police and emergency services attended the beach at 11:30am today following a
report of a man in difficulty in the water.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones,” Inspector Steven Jones said.
“A report is being prepared for the Coroner.”
“Anyone who may have witnessed the incident but has not yet come forward is asked to
call Devonport Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
SOUTHERN OUTLET BLOCKAGE
3.30PM FRIDAY:
Traffic on the Southern Outlet is now clear aftera tractor had fallen from a truck on the north bound lane just after the Mt Nelson turn off.
Tasmania Police were diverting traffic to Mt Nelson.
WOUNDING – PENNA
10.15AM FRIDAY:
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding an alleged wounding which occurred at a Penna residence shortly before 9pm last night.
The incident resulted in a man receiving a non-life-threatening injury.
A 49-year-old man is currently in custody assisting police with the investigation.
The two men are known to each other and there is no ongoing risk to members of the public.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Bellerive CIB on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Tassie home “near the shops” ablaze
12.30PM FRIDAY:
Police are investigating a deliberately lit house fire in Gagebrook overnight.
About 10.15pm last night emergency services responded to a report of a vacant house on Tottenham Road fully alight.
Tasmania Fire Service extinguished the fire with damage estimated at around $300,000.
Police would like to speak to anyone with information in relation to the fire or suspicious activity in the area around the time. Information can be provided to police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.
‘Violent family offender’ found in bushland
Detectives and uniform police have thanked the public for helping them track down a “violent family offender” in bushland today.
Launceston CIB Detective Inspector Craig Fox said assistance from the public led to an extensive search where the offender was found at 11am on Thursday behind Mayfield in Mowbray.
“Police arrested a 23-year-old man from the Launceston area who we’ve been seeking for about a week,” Detective Inspector Fox said.
“He was wanted in relation to a serious domestic assault that occurred several days ago.”
The Detective Inspector said police have taken the man into custody.
He said charges were expected to be laid.
“We’d like to thank the public especially for their assistance in helping us track down a violent family offender,” he said.
“The [Westpac Rescue] Helicopter was on its way for that, we managed to affect the arrest before the helicopter arrived but we did use Polair to look for another man that was wanted in relation to another incident from Ravenswood last night.”
Stolen community cars recovered
Police are continuing to investigate the theft of six vehicles from a community transport organisation in Mowbray on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.
The vehicles, which were used for transporting elderly passengers, were stolen from Community Transport Services Tasmania on Invermay Road.
Police have now recovered four of the stolen vehicles and would like to thank the public for their assistance in the investigation thus far.
The two vehicles that remain outstanding are a white Toyota Camry, registration F43RU, and a white Hyundai iVan, rego I10CJ.
Anyone with information in relation to the theft or the current location of the stolen cars is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously on 1800 333 000.
Cars stolen from not-for-profit
Six cars used by a community organisation to transport elderly passengers have been stolen, Tasmania Police say.
The cars were stolen from Community Transport Services on Invermay Rd, Mowbray on Tuesday night.
Police recovered one of the vehicles today and are asking the public to help find the five remaining stolen cars.
“The cars are white, around two to three years old, and have the company logo on the side – three Toyota Camry’s (F46WR, F43RU and F72WQ), a Toyota RAV4 (F89VR), and a Hyundai mini-van (I10CJ),” Tasmania Police said.
Anyone with information relating to the theft or the current whereabouts of the stolen cars should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously on 1800 333 000 and may quote the investigation reference number “655851”.
Speeding biker wanted
Can you assist police to identify who was riding this blue Yamaha R1 at high speed on the Midlands Highway yesterday between 4pm and 6.30pm?
The R1 was seen travelling at dangerous speeds from Campbell Town to Pontville and it failed to stop for police who attempted to intercept it.
Anyone who knows who was riding the bike, or has dashcam or smart phone vision of it yesterday, is urged to contact Bridgewater Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.
Vehicle involved in stealing matter
Do you recognise the below vehicle or know who it belongs to?
Police are investigating a damage and stealing incident at the Pirates Bay toilet block at the Blowhole on Thursday, January 14 between 9-10pm and believe the drivers of this blue dual cab may be able to assist with their inquiries.
Anyone with information should contact Dunalley Police on 131444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au quoting OR 654214.
Have you seen this man?
Glenorchy Police are concerned for the welfare of Dion Shaw, who was last seen in the Lutana area at 9am today.
He is described as being 46 years old, of slim build, about 165 centimetres tall, with dark grey hair, a long moustache and a large tattoo on his left arm.
He is believed to be wearing a grey jumper and dark trousers.
If you have seen Dion, please contact Constable Alice Herbert at the Glenorchy Police Station on 131 444 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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