Claremont woman threatened and forced to transfer money

Police have laid charges after an incident at Claremont where a woman was threatened with a firearm and forced to transfer money from her bank.

Tasmania Police

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Claremont woman threatened and forced to transfer money

Four people have been charged after police say a woman was threatened in her Claremont home with a firearm and forced to transfer funds from her bank account.

The incident allegedly happened about 2am on Friday July 19.

Police say two women and two men have been jointly charged with aggravated armed robbery.

Police say the four people were known to the woman.

A police spokesperson said the incident was reported to police in the following days, and investigations led to searches being done at Granton and Herdmans Cove on July 25.

They say they located firearms and ammunition at two addresses.

Those charged are a 36-year-old man from Granton, a 29-year-old woman from Granton, a 26-year-old man from Swansea and a 23-year-old woman from Montrose.

The man and woman from Granton have also been charged with firearms offences.

They will reappear in court on September 30.

Drugs, sawn off shotgun, cash found during Parkham raid

August 2: Police say cannabis, methamphetamine, $30,000 in cash and a sawn off shotgun were fund during a targeted search of a Parkham property on Thursday.

Found during a search at Parkham. Image: Tasmania Police.

Sawn off shotgun found at Parkham. Image: Tasmania Police.

A 30-year-old Parkham man has been charged with trafficking and firearms offences as a result of the raid.

He’ll appear at the Devonport Magistrates Court today.

A 40-year-old woman was also charged with offences related to property which is suspected to be the proceeds of crime.

Tasmania Police investigate a suspicious house fire at Lutana

August 1, 9.30am: Police are investigating a fire at Lutana home under construction early this morning which they say appears to have been deliberately lit.

Emergency services were called to the vacant house on Anear Court about 1am.

Tasmania Fire Service extinguished the fire, however the house has suffered significant damage. A fire truck remains on the scene this morning and detectives have arrived to investigate.

Fire crews extinguished a house fire at a home under construction at Lutana. Picture: Elise Kaine

Any witnesses to the incident who have not already spoken to police, or anyone with CCTV footage of the area at the time, is asked to contact Glenorchy Police on 131 444 and quote OR750197.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

School zone crackdown nabs 17 speedsters

Police around the state are reminding drivers that the school term has started again – and school speed zones will be back in effect.

More than 17 people were caught driving over the speed limit of 40km/h in a school zone on Wednesday following a targeted operation in Northern Tasmania.

Tasmania Police Inspector Nick Clark said motorists driving dangerously around schools would be intercepted and issued infringement notices or notices to appear in court.

Motorists have been urged to slow down around schools.

“With the new school term in full swing, our officers are actively patrolling these areas to make sure drivers are following the rules,” he said.

“Our goal is to make the school journey safer for the children in our community.

“The majority of those caught were travelling between 10 and 14km/h over the speed limit; however, one driver was detected travelling 26km/h over. Our officers also detected 10 parking offences, seven mobile phone offences, one seat belt offence, one unregistered driver, one disqualified driver, and one driver who tested positive for drugs.”

Inspector Clark encouraged parents or caregivers who were picking up or dropping off children near bus stops to do so from the same side of the road as the bus and keep a safe distance away.

“We also encourage parents to talk to children about road safety, including using designated crossings, looking and listening before crossing the road, and staying aware of their surroundings,” Inspector Clark said.

“Drivers need to stay vigilant and considerate, and together we can help keep everyone safe on our roads.”

Homemade firearm allegedly found in Sunday raid, man charged

July 29, 10:15am: A 27-year-old man has been charged after police allegedly uncovered a homemade firearm, related parts and stolen property, during a raid of the man’s home on Sunday.

The search comes after an ongoing investigation, which led to the search at the South Launceston property.

Police claim the man also sold a firearm, believed to have been stolen last week.

The man has been charged with a string of offences, including seven counts of stealing, six counts of burglary, one count of stealing a firearm and unlawful firearms trafficking.

He’ll appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court this afternoon.

Exclusion zone after chicken shop emergency

July 28, updated at 2:30pm: Main Road in Huonville has no reopened to the public.

Earlier: The Huonville franchise of popular chicken and chip shop, Legs and Breasts, has been evacuated, after a gas leak on Sunday afternoon.

Legs and Breasts in Huonville. Image: Google Maps.

Emergency services are currently at the scene, investigating the incident.

The area has been cleared of pedestrians and members of the public are urged to avoid the area.

Road restrictions are in place on Main Road, Huonville, and traffic diversions are in place at the roundabout and at Heron Street.

No injuries have been reported at this stage.