22-year-old man charged over string of burglaries in Launceston
A Launceston man has been charged over a string of burglaries where four cars were allegedly stolen. LATEST BREAKING NEWS >>
Tasmania
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Man charged over string of burglaries, Launceston
Friday, October 1
A 22-year-old man has been charged over a string of burglaries that were reported in the Launceston area over the last six weeks.
The local man was arrested by police on Thursday night after a tip off by a member of the public.
It’s alleged the man stole four motor vehicles, with three so far recovered.
He is due to appear in court for a series of charges including two aggravated burglaries, six burglaries, four attempted burglaries, six stealings, vehicle stealings, 16 computer related frauds, evade police aggravated circumstances, two trespasses, unlawful possession of property and minor drug offences.
Police are urging anyone with information about outstanding property to contact the CIB on 1314444.
Three crash in Launceston CBD
Friday, October 1
Tasmania Police and Fire Service crews are at the scene of a three car crash in the Launceston CBD.
Drivers are being urged to avoid the corner of Paterson and Wellington Streets.
No serious injuries have been reported.
Yacht runs aground, St Helens
Friday, October 1
Three men have been transferred to hospital after their yacht ran aground in poor conditions off St Helens early this morning.
The crew members were forced to jump into the surf and swim ashore when the 33 foot single hull vessel broke its mooring at Binalong Bay and ran aground on Taylors Beach at the Gardens around 2am.
Two men swam into shore quickly while it took a 72-year-old 20 minutes to make it back.
One of the men went to a nearby residence and raised the alarm before emergency services arrived at the scene.
They were transported to St Helens District Hospital for treatment.
The yacht remains aground at the northern end of Taylors Beach.
Second man charged over aggravated robbery, Karoola
Friday, October 1
Tasmania Police has charged a second man over an alleged aggravated robbery and assault at a home in North Tasmania where a 64-year-old sustained a significant head injury in August.
It’s alleged he and another offender forced entry into the Karoola home around 5:30am August 15, assualting two residents before stealing a small amount of cash.
The 29-year-old is due to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court today.
House fire, Turners Beach
Friday, October 1
Residents have been forced to flee their home after a blaze was sparked in the bedroom of a house in the state’s north west early Friday morning.
Fire crews from Forth, Ulverstone and Devonport were called to the Turners Beach property around 12:22am.
Tasmania Fire Service were able to contain the fire and stop it from spreading to other rooms shortly after their arrival. A fire watch was placed on the Susan St residence overnight.
Fire investigators and Tasmania Police will return to the home this morning to investigate the cause of the blaze.
No injuries were reported.
Burglary, property charges against 3 teens
Thursday, September 30
Three Teenagers have been charged after an alleged burglary spree in Tasmania’s North West.
According to Tasmania Police, a search of a Somerset property on Wednesday resulted the arrests of a 13-year-old and 15-year-old who were later charges with over 30 offences in total.
A third teenager, a 15-year-old, will also be proceeded against for 11 related offences according to police.
The alleged burglary and property offences relates to a local sporting club, multiple businesses, a vehicle and an unbuilt house.
Stolen property from one of the alleged burglaries was recovered but police are keen to hear from anyone in the community who may have more information.
Gun shots fired into home, Claremont
Thursday, September 30
Tasmania Police are investigating after shots were fired into a Claremont home overnight during a driveby shooting.
Officers were called to the Ebden St property around 11:40pm after a resident reported that two shots were fired into a window.
Initial investigations suggest the attack was targeted with police reassuring residents that there is no threat to the wider community.
Anyone with information should contact Glenorchy CIB on 131444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800333000 or crimestopperstas.com.au
Missing teenager kayaker, Circular Head
Wednesday, September 29
UPDATE Wednesday, 9pm:
A 16-year-old missing kayaker from Circular Head has been located safe and uninjured on Perkins Island.
INITIAL: Police searched for a 16-year-old kayaker who went missing in the Circular Head area after they failed to return from a kayak trip in the Montagu area.
The 16 year old boy set off on his trip at 11:30am on Wednesday and police say it’s believed he was “taken by tidal currents landing on Perkins Island.”
The boy notified his family using his mobile phone at the time, but after a land, air and sea search of the area, assisted by members of the public police were unable to locate him.
Police have deployed the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and members of Police Search and Rescue.
Police believe the boy is in “good health”.
Serious ATV accident, Burnie
Wednesday, September 29
Update: A man has been flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition following a serious ATV crash on a farming property in the North West.
The rider reportedly lost control while travelling down a hill, causing him and his pillion passenger to be thrown from the vehicle.
The passenger was transported to Northwest Regional Hospital with serious injuries. Police are urging anyone with information about the crash who to contact Burnie Police on 131 444.
It’s the state’s second farming accident in just as many days.
Earlier: A rescue helicopter has been called to a serious ATV rollover in the state’s North West.
Emergency services and police are at the scene on a private property at Shorewell Park near Burnie.
One person has reportedly sustained serious injuries.
Worksafe Tasmania has been notified of the accident.
More to come.
Man charged over stolen property in North East
Wednesday, September 29
Tasmania Police has charged a man accused of stealing several cars and guns worth around $160,000.
A search was carried out by Launceston officers on Tuesday at a rural property in the North East of the state where a 1.7 tonne excavator, a Nissan Navara, a Toyota HiLux and a Suzuki Motorcycle were seized. Six firearms were also uncovered – four which have been confirmed stolen by Tasmania Police.
Officers are continuing to investigate the stolen property and are urging anyone with information to contact Northern CIB on 131444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800333000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.
House fire, Bridgewater
Tuesday, September 28
THE cause of a fire that tore through a Bridgewater home will likely not be known until at least Wednesday.
Police and firefighters were called to the blaze on Gunn St, near the intersection of Eddington St, just before 3.30pm.
They arrived to find the weatherboard home fully engulfed in fire.
By about 4.30pm, the fire was contained, with a full investigation set to take place.
Observations of the home show significant fire damage.
At the scene, Tasmania Police Sergeant Brad Conyers told the Mercury no one had been injured as a result of the blaze.
None of the occupants of the home were there at the time, he said.
“Very early on in the piece, we were able to determine there were no occupants in the residence, or pets,” Sgt Conyers said.
“And we were able to speak with and contact the occupants and account for everybody.
“Whilst the Tasmania Fire Service were conducting the firefighting efforts, Tasmania Police has gone around the surrounding properties and ensured that they have been evacuated.”
Sgt Conyers said it was believed two adults and five children normally lived at the residence.
He said a fire watch would likely be placed on the home overnight.
“We won’t have enough light to fully investigate this tonight and our investigators will return in the morning to determine the cause,” he said.
More to come ...
Motorcycle incident | Clifton Beach
Tuesday, September 28
Two children on motorbikes have reportedly been rushed to hospital after crashing with a car near Bicheno Street, Clifton.
The Mercury understands that the two boys, roughly 11 and 13 years old, had been riding around the dirt tracks at the time of the crash.
The two bikes reportedly hit a car and the boys were both taken to the hospital for treatment.
A Tasmania Police spokeswoman said the injuries were not serious, and that the incident was no longer being investigated by police.
“A motorbike and a car collided at low-speeds on private property,” the spokeswoman said.
“No serious injuries were reported. This is no longer a police matter.”
Shark Sighting, Blackmans Bay
Tuesday, September 28
Divers have spotted a shark has been sighted approximately 2km south of Blackmans Bay Beach.
Police say no further description is available.
House fire closes part of Ridgley Highway
Tuesday, September 28
A QUEENSLAND family’s dream of moving into their new property and starting life in Tasmania has been put on hold due to a fire.
The family, from Gympie, had recently taken possession of their new weatherboard house in Ridgley, in Tasmania’s North West.
The father had moved down to get things ready for the arrival of the rest of the family.
Early Tuesday morning a spark from an open fire – which was not screened – started a fire which quickly took hold.
The house has been completely destroyed and will need to be demolished.
It is understood the new family home was insured.
Fire Investigation Wayne Viney said the man was lucky to get out alive as he was asleep at the time the fire broke out.
“He heard unusual crackling and woke as the fire started to take hold,” Mr Viney said.
“He is shaken up by what has happened.”
Two crews from Burnie, two from Ridgley and one from Somerset arrived at the property just after 5am to find the house well alight.
The fire was brought under control two hours later – and the section of the Ridgley Highway the house fronts was closed.
The new homeowner was taken to the NWRH where he was treated for smoke inhalation.
He has since been discharged,
It is not know yet if the family will rebuild on the same block or search for another new property to call their Tasmanian home.
Body of Austin Giles found in bushland
9:38pm Sunday, September 26
Tasmania Police have found the body of a man believed to be Austin Giles who disappeared in George Town last week.
After a five day search the 19-year-old was reportedly found in nearby bushland.
Tasmania Police said his death isn’t being considered as suspicious.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Police launch appeal for erratic driver
8:30am Monday, September 27
Devonport Police have launched a public appeal to track down the driver of a Grey Hyundai Tucson who was spotted driving dangerously in Devonport on Saturday evening.
The car was driving erratically without headlights on and refused to stop for police around 11:10pm around Forbes Street. Anyone with information please call Devonport Police Station on 131444 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.
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