Tasmania breaking news: Bricks and fireworks thrown at police at Clarendon Vale disturbance

Bricks and fireworks were thrown at police, and four police cars damaged, after a night of hooning and violent behaviour in Clarendon Vale on Friday.

A burnt out car at Clarendon Vale. Image: Simon McGuire.

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Bricks and fireworks thrown at police in Clarendon Vale

June 1, 12:20pm

Bricks and fireworks were allegedly thrown at police officers and several squad cars were damaged, when authorities responded to several reports of a disturbance at Clarendon Vale on Friday night.

Police were called to investigate hooning, disorderly conduct and the use of the pyrotechnics at Bradman Street about 3pm, after receiving several calls from concerned residents.

Police say when officers arrived at the gathering, the crowd turned on them, and four police vehicles were set damaged.

“This type of behaviour is unacceptable in our communities. It is fortunate that no one was injured, including our officers whose safety was at risk last night,” Tasmania Police Inspector Dean McMahon said.

“Investigations are ongoing, and offenders can expect to be charged for their criminal behaviour.”

No injuries were reported.

Police say the gathering ended around midnight.

“From a Tasmania perspective this type of incident is rare,” Inspector McMahon said.

“Tasmania Police will not tolerate such behaviour and is committed to hold people who engaged in such activities to account.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 131 444.

Search underway for missing walker

June 1, 11:35am

A search and rescue mission is underway to find walker who did not return to his campsite after walking at Frenchmans Cap.

Authorities say the 28-year-old Hobart man was last seen on Wednesday at 7:30am, when he started the final mountain ascent.

“He told other walkers that he intended to walk to the summit and return to Lake Vera that day,” Tasmania Police acting inspector Stephen Barrow said.

“He did not return to his camping site, and the walkers reported their concerns to police on 31 May.”

The search for the man began last night and continued this morning.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is being used in the search.

“We are very concerned for the safety of the missing walker, and are hoping that he is quickly found,” Inspector Barrow said.

“I pass on my thanks to the walkers who reported this to Police and assisted with valuable information.”

The search is being undertaken by police, Ambulance Tasmania and the State Emergency Service search and rescue team.

More to come.

Crews battle to control fire in strong winds

May 31, 4pm: Fire crews have battled to extinguish a house fire fanned by strong winds on Hobart’s Eastern Shore this afternoon.

Crews were called to the fire at Peppercress Lane, Risdon Vale shortly after 2.30pm to find the home well alight.

Crews were called from Glenorchy, Rokeby and Risdon Vale to the blaze in the new Olive Grove Estate subdivision at Risdon Vale.

More to come …

Young teens charged after alleged construction damage

May 31, 11:20am

Two 14-year-olds have been charged after causing about $145,000 worth of damage to affordable housing still under construction at Herdsmans Cove.

The two youths were charged after an investigation by Bridgewater Police and are accused of 28 counts of destroy property and 28 counts of burglary. They are set to appear in the Hobart Youth Court at a later date.

Tasmania Police say the alleged incidents took place between April and May this year and that investigations are ongoing to determine if any other people were involved.

“Bridgewater Police would like to thank the public for their assistance and reassure the local community that incidents of damage and vandalism will not be tolerated,” Tasmania Police said.

If you have information you believe would assist police, you can contact Bridgewater Police on 131 444 and quote OR744672 or report to Crimestoppers Tasmania anonymously at crimestopperstas.com.au.

Vehicle rollover blocks both lanes on busy highway stretch

May 29, 9.40am: The Tasman Hwy at Cambridge is now clear from the earlier crash with no serious injuries reported.

Initial 8.30am: A vehicle has reportedly rolled over on the Tasman Hwy at Cambridge, heading towards Sorell.

Police are on the scene and say the incident is blocking both lanes.

Motorists have been asked to avoid the area or to expect delays.

Injuries are unknown at this stage.

Aged care facility evacuated due to possible gas leak

May 28, 11.30am: Residents and staff at a Port Sorell aged care facility, in Tasmania’s North-West, have been evacuated on Tuesday morning.

In a statement, OneCare — who own the Rubicon Grove facility — chief executive Peter Williams said staff reported a strong smell at the facility prior to the evacuation occurring.

He said all residents were safely evacuated, however a small number of staff reported symptoms of nausea.

The statement said additional staff had been called in to provide assistance and ensure safety of the 80 residents.

“Emergency services have been alerted and are on site investigating the cause of the incident, which has still to be determined,” the statement said.

Residents have reportedly been cleared to return to the site’s cafe and activity rooms.

The chief executive said families of residents had been contacted with visitors asked to avoid Rubicon Grove until the incident is resolved.

Charges laid after alleged home assault and burglary spree

May 28, 3.30pm: Tasmania police have now taken a woman into custody, who they believe was involved in an alleged crime spree in the state’s North-West on Monday.

Officers will allege the woman was in possession of a stolen silver Toyota C-HR, which has since been recovered by police.

10.20am: Three adults and a teenager have been charged following an alleged crime spree in Tasmania’s North-West on Monday.

Police said they responded to reports at about 6.40am of a teenager, man and a woman allegedly entering a West Ulverstone home of someone known to them, assaulting the resident and attempting to steal items from the property.

Officers said a 16-year-old Somerset boy, 24-year-old Ulverstone woman and a 34-year-old man from Western Tasmania were arrested at an Ulverstone address a short time later.

About 8.45am police received reports of the burglary of several storage sheds in Somerset, officers say.

Police confirmed they conducted a search at the Ulverstone address and found items believed to be stolen from the storage sheds.

A 36-year-old Shorewell man has also been arrested with police believing he was involved with the stolen property located at the premises following investigations.

Police said investigations were ongoing and they were wanting to speak with a woman from the Burnie area who is believed to be in possession of a stolen silver Toyota C-HR, registration K54ZE.

Teens charged with vehicle break-ins at ferry carpark

May 27, 11am: Four teenagers have been charged with several offences after an alleged spate of break-ins to cars at the Spirit of Tasmania terminal car park in East Devonport.

Police alleged the teenagers, aged between 14 and 17 from the greater Devonport area, sprung on three separate occasions in the past week.

The Spirit Of Tasmania terminal at East Devonport generic photo. Picture: Simon Sturzaker

They believed 34 cars were broken into and two cars were stolen from a car park off Norton Way.

Detective Acting Inspector Alex Bonde said entry was forced to some cars, and others had been left unlocked.

“Small valuables were stolen from many of the cars, with most of these items now recovered,” he said.

“Police have also recovered the two stolen cars, and after conducting a search yesterday four youths have been arrested.”

Two of the teenagers have been charged with 34 counts of burglary, 10 counts of stealing, two counts of motor vehicle stealing and other related offences.

The other two youths were charged with 16 counts of burglary.

Detective Acting Inspector Bonde said police were working with TT-Line to identify the owners of the cars.

“If you had your car parked within the car park during the past week and haven’t yet spoken with police, please contact Western Criminal Investigation Branch on [phone],” he said.

“Police would like to remind members of the public to remove valuables from unattended cars where possible, and to always ensure cars are left locked and secure.”

Crash closes busy suburban street

May 27, 12.05: Regent St is now clear from the earlier crash.

11:12am: Sandy Bay’s Regent St has closed after a single vehicle crash this morning.

The southbound section of road between Lord and York Sts will be closed until further notice, police say.

Officers say no injuries have been reported.

Police target hooning vehicles in North-West

A first year P-plater is among three drivers charged over the weekend as Devonport Police target hooning vehicles.

Acting Inspector Martin Parker said police were out in force over the weekend.

He said the 17-year-old Devonport P-plater had his vehicle seized for 28 days on Friday night after allegedly driving in a reckless manner.

“The operation on Friday night also resulted in a number of other drivers being issued defect notices and being charged with driving while unlicensed, driving an unregistered vehicle and for failing to carry a licence,” he said.

On Saturday, the Acting Inspector said a 20-year-old West Ulverstone man had his car seized and was charged with hooning offences and driving whilst on a suspended licence.

Also, a 26-year-old man from Westbury was also allegedly caught hooning and causing considerable damage to Meercroft Park Soccer Grounds.

“Driving behaviour such as hooning is illegal, dangerous and interrupts the peace and quiet of citizens and put’s people’s lives at risk of being involved in a serious crash,” Acting Inspector Parker said.

“We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and offenders can expect to be arrested and have their vehicle clamped or seized and confiscated.”