Tasmania breaking news: Guns, ammunition, drugs seized in North West police raid

Guns, ammunition, a potentially stolen car and drugs were seized in a police raid in the state’s North West. Here’s the full list of what they found.

Generic Tasmania Police car. Tas Police. Tasmania Police. Logo. Police lights. Night. dark. Car Crash. Accident. Rain. Picture: PATRICK GEE

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Guns, ammunition, drugs seized in North West police raid

April 27, 9:30am

Guns, ammunition, a potentially stolen car and drugs were seized in a police raid in the state’s North West on Thursday.

A property at Sheffield was searched by police and members of the Western Drug and Firearms Unit.

Police say the search uncovered a stolen motor vehicle, two 303 rifles, a gel blaster Glock handgun, a firearm barrel, ammunition and gun powder and quantities of ice and cannabis.

A 28-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man are facing a string of charges in relation to the police haul, including unlawful possession of property, selling a controlled drug, possessing a controlled drug, possessing a firearm when not the holder of a firearm licence.

The two are set to face court in June.

Man allegedly swindled Facebook marketplace sellers out of $100k of property

April 26

A 24-year-old Tasmanian man is behind an elaborate series of frauds totalling about $100,000 and involving him using Facebook as a contact point with sellers, Tasmania Police allege.

Northern Criminal Investigation Branch detectives on Friday charged the man with several counts of fraud following a series of investigations.

Police allege the man would make contact on the social media application Facebook to purchase property, most of which were motor vehicles.

The man would allegedly meet with the seller and provide them with fraudulent bank transfer receipts as evidence of payment, deceiving the seller in handing over their property.

The offending occurred statewide with an estimated value of $100,000 in goods obtained under false pretences.

Police believe that there may be further frauds that are yet to be reported and are urging victims to come forward.

Sellers are reminded to be cautious when doing business online, to take appropriate steps to confirm the identity of the purchaser, and to ensure that payment is received.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at the Northern Criminal Investigation Branch on [phone] or report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.

More charges after Bridgewater disturbance

April 26, 12:40pm

More charges have been laid after a disturbance in Bridgewater, nearly two weeks ago, which allegedly involved a “significant” number of people “engaging in hooning and other anti-social and dangerous behaviour”.

Police alleged the gathering was sparked by a 38-year-old New South Wales man, who was charged.

On Friday a 24-year-old woman, two 20-year-old men and a 15 year old were also charged for their alleged involvement in the disturbance.

They’ve been charged with hooning, public order and damage to property offences.

Police also seized two motorbikes and a car and say there could more vehicle seizures and arrests to come.

Charges laid over fire that hospitalised elderly woman

11.45am: A 37-year-old man believed to have deliberately lit a series of fires in Kingston has been charged by police.

Police say the incidents occurred on the morning of April 6.

They allege $100,000 damage was caused and a 77-year-old woman was hospitalised for smoke inhalation, who was soon released.

The Huon Valley man faces charges of arson and unlawfully setting fire to property.

He was arrested yesterday and is set to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court today.

Police believe there are witnesses who may be able to assist investigations — they are urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Pedestrian reportedly acting suspicious in coastal town

11am: A man reported to be acting in a suspicious manner and approaching moving cars in the Ulverstone CBD has been charged.

Police say the 34-year-old from Ulverstone is facing charges of tampering with a motor vehicle, commit a nuisance and causing a traffic hazard.

The reports were made from members of the public on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The man is set to appear in court at a later day.

Man charged with wounding and possessing dangerous item

10.30am: Police believe a 46-year-old man is responsible for an incident in Smithton on Monday involving a wounding.

The Smithton man was arrested on Wednesday in relation to the incident and has since been charged with one count of wounding and two counts of possessing a dangerous article in a public place.

Police didn’t provide further details on the dangerous item he was possessing.

Police say he will appear in an out of hours court today.

Police remain on scene of garbage truck rollover

Update 11am: The Arthur Hwy at Murdunna is now clear after the truck crash. No serious injuries were reported.

9.50am: A rolled-over garbage truck continues to impact the flow of traffic on the Arthur Hwy about a kilometre south of Murdunna.

The driver escaped the vehicle and wasn’t seriously injured with the incident reported just before 8am this morning.

Police provided an update saying they were still on the scene and an operation to recover the truck would close the highway in both directions for a short time.

Charges laid over incident causing early morning gas leak

April 25, 9.45pm: A 41-year-old man is believed to have stolen a gas meter from a Devonport laundromat that caused a gas leak early Tuesday morning.

Yesterday, police charged the East Devonport man with several offences relating to the theft of copper from surrounding buildings on the same morning as well as bail, drug and driving offences.

Western CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Alex Bonde said the charges followed a broader investigation and crack down into the ongoing theft of copper and other precious metals.

“Metal theft is an ongoing issue which impacts critical infrastructure, businesses, and communities,” she said.

“The theft of copper, aluminium and other metals not only poses safety risks but also results in substantial financial losses for victims.

“As part of the crack down, we will be increasing patrols and inspections at metal recycling facilities to ensure compliance with existing laws and regulations.”

Teenagers believed to have stolen significant amount of property

April 24, 2.30pm: Two teenagers have been charged as police believe they are responsible for multiple stealing offences.

Police said they recovered a significant amount of property believed to have been stolen from the greater Hobart area last weekend.

The 13-year-old and 14-year-old from Rokeby have been charged with possessing stolen property, trespass and stealing.

They will be proceeded against under the Youth Justice Act.

CCTV catches alleged offender before he stole gas meter

April 23, 4.25pm: CCTV is assisting police investigate an incident that shut down William St, Devonport in the early hours of this morning.

Police believe the vision captures the alleged offender who is believed to have caused damage to a business at about 5am before stealing a nearby gas meter.

Emergency services responded to reports of a gas leak in the area about 5.30am and say the scene was made safe soon after an no injuries were reported.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Western CIB on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania.

Police reveal number of driving offences in one Tassie district

2pm: Tasmania Police have raised concerns after revealing the number of people who have committed traffic offences in the state’s North-West increased.

Police report 2191 people have committed driving offences in the Western District since the start of the year.

Inspector Adam Spencer of Western Road Policing Services said that was an increase of 230 compared to the same period last year.

Police statistics found drink driving offences had risen by 33.7 per cent, while speeding and inattention increased by 12.4 and 38.3 per cent respectively.

Tasmania Police target road safety. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

“Last week, a 30-year-old Devonport man was caught drink driving for the fourth time this year and was remanded in custody,” Inspector Spencer said.

“On Saturday, police from our uniform and criminal investigation areas caught drink drivers and disqualified drivers in Queenstown, Burnie and Devonport.

“If you are a repeat offender, take note that Western District police from all areas will be targeting you.”

Inspector Spencer said that police were determined to see the amount traffic offences decrease.

“We make no apologies for it because it’s about keeping our community safe,” he said.

“If you commit offences, we will charge you and, in certain circumstances, clamp or seize your car, disqualify your licence on the spot, and bring you before the court.

“We know most people in our community do the right thing on our roads, and police will be holding those who don’t to account.”

– Simon McGuire

‘Incredibly fortunate’: Pair rescued after small tinny capsized

April 22, 8am: Two people spent 90 minutes in the water before their cries for help were heard after their small tinny capsized in Tasmania’s North-West.

The 42 year old male and 47 year old female were treated by paramedics after their ordeal near the Carbuncle off Hawley Beach on Sunday afternoon.

Two people rescued off Hawley Beach after boat capsized. Picture: Tasmania Police Media

Senior Sergeant James Scicluna of Devonport police said the pair had been fishing near Spy Island when their boat tipped around 12:30pm throwing them both into the water.

He said they were both wearing life vests but were unable to access other safety equipment including flares as their boat was sinking.

He said the pair were approximately 2km from shore but unable to swim due to the strong tide as the harbour emptied.

“They were in the water for approximately 90 minutes before two kayakers heard their cries for help and were able to alert authorities at 2pm,” Senior-Sgt Scicluna said.

“The pair were incredibly fortunate that they were wearing life vests and another couple were kayaking in the area and able to provide assistance.

“One of the kayakers remained with the pair whilst the other was able to paddle back to shore and alert police.

Two people rescued off Hawley Beach after boat capsized. Picture: Tasmania Police Media

“Once police were alerted, the police rescue helicopter was immediately deployed with several civilian vessels, the Port Sorell Surf Life Saving Club and Marine Rescue Ulverstone all assisting in locating and rescuing the two people”

After they were rescued, the pair returned to the Port Sorell boat ramp where they were treated by the Tasmania Ambulance Service.

– Sue Bailey

Emergency services arrive to find unit filled with smoke

April 20, 11.10am: Emergency services are attending a unit fire at Bedford St, New Town.

On arrival crews reportedly found a unit full of smoke.

Tasmania Fire Service says an occupant of the unit is being treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Crews from Hobart Fire Brigade were called out to the structure fire around 11am on Saturday.

The extent of the damage and cause of the fire at this stage is unknown.