Tasmanian breaking news: Police call for CCTV, witnesses after early morning brawl in Launceston

Cops are looking for CCTV footage and witnesses over a violent brawl which erupted onto the streets early on Saturday. LATEST

Tasmanian breaking news. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

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.

Police call for CCTV, witnesses after early morning brawl

September 2, 2pm: Cops are looking for CCTV footage and witnesses over a violent brawl which erupted in the street early on Saturday.

The early morning punch-on happened between a group of men on Charles St, between Paterson and Cimitiere St, Launceston, about 4.30am on Saturday, police say.

Anyone who may have witnessed an altercation in the area at that time, or any residents who may have CCTV of the incident, are asked to contact Launceston Police on 6777 3945 or Crimestoppers on 1300 333 000.

Landslide closes highway

September 2, 9.30am: A landslide on Tasmania’s West-Coast has closed a major road.

Tasmania Police released a statement shortly before 9.30am on Saturday saying that a landslide had occured on the Murchinson Hwy, 3km north of Tullah on the West-Coast.

One lane is blocked and heavy machinery will be required to clear the road, police say.

Motorists are asked to slow down in the area and obey road signs and directions.

More to come.

Plannned fuel reduction burn

September 2, 10.20am: A fuel reduction burn will take place near Hobart at the weekend, Tasmania Fire Service say.

Formulating part of the state’s Fuel Reduction Program, the burn-offs will be carried out on private land on Proctors Rd, between Hobart and Kingston.

Acting Director of Community Fire Safety, Chris Collins said the fuel reduction burn is planned for Sunday and Monday, and is designed to reduce the bushfire risk to communities in Mount Nelson, Taroona and The Lea, as well as critical telecommunications infrastructure.

“Staff from the Bushfire Risk Unit and local volunteers will be conducting this burn which is part of a broader bushfire mitigation strategy between Mount Nelson and Kingston and complements other fuel reduction activities being undertaken in the area,” he said.

“TFS, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and Sustainable Timber Tasmania work together throughout the year to reduce bushfire risk across the state, and we will make the most of favourable conditions during spring to help make summer safer.

“We know that planned fuel reduction burning reduces the impact of bushfires, either by preventing ignitions or making conditions safer for effective firefighting.

“In February 2022, previous fuel reduction burns undertaken by Tasmania Fire Service were integral in helping our firefighters to quickly suppress a bushfire near Oberon Court, Mount Nelson.”

“We acknowledge there will be smoke visible in the area as we conduct the fuel reduction activities this weekend, but we actively plan and monitor conditions to ensure this is minimised as much as possible.

“Of course, the smoke from a fuel reduction burn is much less than that of an out-of-control bushfire – the very thing we are trying to prevent.”

For the latest info, visit fire.tas.gov.au and for current warnings and alerts visit TasAlert.com

Crash causes congestion

September 2, 10.22am: A traffic crash between a car and motorbike at Howrah on Hobart’s Eastern Shore has caused major traffic delays, police say.

Paramedics and police rushed to the scene shortly before 10.30am on Saturday.

The extent of injuries are not yet known.

Delays are expected.

More to come.

25yo woman killed in crash

September 1, 6am: A 25-year-old woman has been killed in a crash in the state’s North after the car she was travelling in lost control.

Paramedics and police were called to the scene on Moriarty Rd at Latrobe about 9pm on Thursday.

Police have reason to believe the woman was travelling west on Moriarty Rd in a black BMW before the car lost control and crashed.

It is not clear whether the woman was the driver and sole occupant of the car or if she was a passenger.

Police are asking for anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

The state’s road toll now stands at 21 fatalities, compared to 38 from the same period last year.

Serious injuries are up, with 198 cases compared to 167 for the same period last year.

Penguin man charged with trafficking, firearms offences

August 31: A 33 year old Penguin man has been charged with drug trafficking and a string of other offences, after police allegedly seized a “significant” amount of ice from his home.

Police say the quantity of methamphetamine, located during a raid, had the potential to put hundreds of people at risk.

Police also allege a quantity of cash, stolen property, a firearm and ammunition were also located during the search.

The man was charged with trafficking a controlled substance, dealing with the proceeds of crime, burglary, stealing and unlawful possession of property and firearms offences.

He was taken into police custody and is set to appear at the Devonport Magistrates Court on Friday.

$340k haul: Man nabbed by cops after home robbery spree

August 30, 10.50am: A man has been charged after allegedly going on an extensive home robbery spree over a six-month period.

The 41-year-old Glenorchy man has been arrested by cops after allegedly committing the burglaries between September 2022 and February of this year.

Police will allege the man is responsible for stealing a haul of goods worth close to $340,000.

First Class Constable Katie Swift said the charges came as the result of an extensive operation by Hobart Criminal Investigation Branch.

“The home burglaries occurred predominantly during daylight hours, and were targeted at jewellery,” she said.

“As a result of police investigations, a significant quantity of the stolen jewellery has been recovered and returned to the owners.”

The man has been charged with several offences, including 30 counts of aggravated burglary.

He will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court in October.

Pedestrian hit in suburban Hobart crash

Updated: Gladstone St has now been cleared.

August 29, 4.02pm: A pedestrian has been hit by a vehicle on a Hobart street.

Police and emergency services raced to the scene of the traffic crash on Gladstone St, Sandy Bay.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area as the scene is cleared.

Tasmania Police said no serious injuries have been reported at this stage.

Police search for ‘person of interest’ after dangerous driving incident

August 29, 3.28pm: Tasmania police are on the hunt for a person after an earlier dangerous driving and evade incident.

Resources including the Westpac rescue helicopter have been dispatched in police’s efforts to find the “person of interest” after the incidents at Ravenswood.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania via www.crimestopperstas.com.au.

Man detained after alleged assault, breaching family violence order

August 29, 7am: A Tasmanian man accused of breaching both a family violence order and conditions of his bail by launching an assault on his partner has been detained by police until he faces court.

The Smithton man, 36, was arrested by police on Monday evening a short distance from a private residence in Penguin, on the state’s North-West coast.

He has been charged with common assault, breach of bail and breach of interim family violence order.

He was held in police custody overnight and is expected to appear in Devonport Magistrates Court later on Tuesday.

Pair charged with alleged $30k chainsaw store burglary

Update: Tasmania Police have charged the 40-year-old Ravenswood man with burglary and stealing.

He will appear in court at an unspecified date.

The 36-year-old Gagebrook man was hit with a receiving stolen property charge and he will appear in Hobart Magistrates Court in early September.

August 28, 2.38pm: Two men have been slapped with charges after allegedly stealing more than $30k worth of chainsaws from a Hobart store.

A 40-year-old Ravenswood man and a 36-year-old Gagebrook man have been charged with the “significant burglary” at a Husqvarna chainsaw dealer in July.

Tasmania Police say that during the burglary, more than 20 Husqvarna chainsaws of varying models were stolen.

Their total value was at more than $30,000.

And while police have since recovered some of the stolen chainsaws, a “significant number” remain outstanding.

“Police believe they have been on-sold at a discount price,” Tasmania Police said.

Those with information, including anyone who purchased a discounted Husqvarna chainsaw recently, is asked to contact Hobart CIB on 131 444.

Search sparks police swarm on small community

Updated, 12pm: A man has been arrested after police earlier swarmed on a small North-West Coast community – as officers searched for a “person of interest” in the area.

Tasmania Police descended on the town of Penguin as part of a search for a 36-year-old man.

The man was described as having blonde hair, with a light/fair complexion and a medium build.

He was described as being approximately 182cm tall.

The man had last been seen in the vicinity of Dial Rd and South Rd, Penguin, while wearing a black hooded jumper.

Police at the time asked members of the community to call 131 444 if they saw a man who this description who was acting “suspiciously” in Penguin.

The man was taken into custody just before midday on Monday.

Tasmania Police told the Mercury the man had been arrested for family violence related offences.

At the time of writing, the man remained in custody, but no charges had yet been laid.

August 28, 11.46am: Tasmania Police have swarmed on a small North-West coast community as officers search for a “person of interest” in the area.

Police have descended on the town of Penguin as part of a search for a man.

“The man we are looking for is described as having blonde hair, a light/fair complexion, medium build and approximately 182cm tall,” Tasmania Police said.

“He was last seen in the vicinity of Dial Rd and South Rd, Penguin, wearing a black hooded jumper.”

If you’ve seen someone matching this description and acting suspiciously in the Penguin area, please contact us on 131 444 and quote OR721206.

Man dead, woman injured in serious crash

Update, 9.26am: Faraday Street, Ravenswood has now re-opened to traffic.

Monday August 28, 8.30am: A man has died and a woman is receiving treatment in hospital after a their car hit a power pole in the state’s north.

Tasmania Police say that at 3.23am on Monday, the vehicle, carrying the man and woman, left the roadway on Faraday St, Ravenswood.

The vehicle then hit a power pole.

A 36-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 36-year-old woman was taken to Launceston General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police Crash Investigations are determining the cause of the crash and officers will remain on the scene for some time.

Tasmania Police have closed the area between Magnet St and Faulkner Rd roundabouts.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area.

Road closed after crash

Update: Cambridge Rd at Dampier St, Warrane has now reopened.

Tasmania Police said no serious injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

August 27, 2.10pm: Motorists have been asked to avoid a street after a crash on a residential street.

Police have closed Cambridge Rd at Dampier St, Warrane while emergency services respond to the incident.

“No injuries are known at this time,” Tasmania Police said.

“Please avoid the area”.

More to come.

Man dead in Northern crash at Circular Head, Smithton

August 27: A man has died after a single-vehicle crash in the state’s north-west overnight.

Tasmania Police in a statement say officers were called to the scene on Backline Rd, Forest, at about 9.30am on Sunday.

Police say initial inquiries indicate the man was travelling west in a silver Ford Territory when the car left the road and came to rest in water.

“Anyone with information or relevant dashcam footage, is asked to contact

police on 131 444,” Tasmania Police said.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.