The Beat: Police search for missing man Michael Jay Edgerton

Police have issued a public appeal to help in their search for a missing man who disappeared nearly a week ago. LATEST POLICE NEWS >>

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Police search for missing man Michael Jay Edgerton

1:15pm Thursday December 2 2021:

Police have issued a public appeal to help search for a missing man who disappeared over the weekend.

Michael Jay Edgerton was last seen on Sunday November 28 at around 10:30am at Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay.

The 43-year-old has been described by authorities as fair skinned, around 175cm tall with a medium to heavy build and one lazy eye, possibly wearing coloured contact lenses. He is also said to be sporting black shoulder length hair with tattoos on both arms.

Anyone who has information about Michael’s whereabouts is being urged to contact Huonville Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Alleged siege at Flowerdale home

UPDATE, 2:16pm Tuesday November 30, 2021:

A man has been charged following an alleged siege in the state’s North West yesterday.

The 39-year-old is accused of locking himself inside a Flowerdale home before setting the property alight.

He will appear before Burnie Magistrates Court this afternoon charged with multiple offences including Aggravated Burglary, Arson, Robbery, Motor Vehicle Stealing, Driving while disqualified, Create a common nuisance and Destroy Property.

UPDATE, 7.20pm Monday November 29, 2021:

POLICE have taken a man into custody following a four-hour siege in the state’s North-West on Monday morning.

Police were called to an address at Preolenna Rd, Flowerdale, shortly after 8am following a report of a stolen motor vehicle and of threats towards the owner at the residence.

It is understood there were initially two other people, believed to be immediate family members, at the residence but they were able to leave before police arrived.

Police said the man secured himself in the house, refused to leave and presented a knife.

“We had our police negotiators on scene and they were to engage in conversation with the alleged offender and negotiate his surrender,” Detective-Inspector Steve Jones said.

“After a number of negotiations, which were unsuccessful, a fire had started in the house, believed to be started by the man inside.

“We believe the fires may have been intentional. The house has become engulfed by smoke.”

Police said the man left the house voluntarily.

“The offender has left the residence by his own accord by smashing the window and coming out where he was taken into custody,” Inspector Jones said.

No police officers were injured while the alleged offender received “minor cuts”.

“He was treated at the scene by ambulance who were waiting nearby,” Inspector Jones said.

“Tasmania Fire Service was also at the scene and they were able to act extremely quickly when the house became engulfed in smoke.”

Police said investigations into the incident were ongoing.

“The incident was isolated, it was a family dispute so there was no risk to the community or to any members of the public,” he said.

Charges are expected to be laid.

12pm Monday November 29, 2021

A man believed to be armed with a knife has been taken into custody after allegedly setting fire to a home during an alleged siege in North West Tasmania.

Police surrounded the Flowerdale address shortly before 8am this morning after the man reportedly stole a vehicle and drove to the home, locking himself inside.

Two people were at the Preolenna Rd property at the time but were able to leave shortly afterwards.

Police negotiated with the man for a number of hours before he allegedly set fire to the house and fled through a window.

He is being treated for minor injuries.

Tasmania Fire crews are currently at the scene attempting to put out the blaze.

9:30am Monday November 29, 2021

Police are at the scene of a rural home in North West Tasmania where a person has locked themselves inside a property.

Authorities are urging people to avoid the area around Preolenna Road in Flowerdale until the incident is resolved.

Tasmania Police said no one else is inside the home.

Drivers crash into parked cars

Sunday November 28, 2021

TWO drivers in Launceston have allegedly returned high-range blood alcohol readings after crashing their cars.

Tasmania Police said it attended the two crashes on Friday night.

The first crash involved a 22-year-old Hillwood man who allegedly crashed his Subaru station wagon into two unoccupied parked parks on George St.

The man allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.132.

No one was injured and he was taken to Launceston General Hospital for a medical assessment.

The second incident occurred later that night at Newstead where a 52-year-old Perth woman allegedly crashed into a parked occupied car.

The woman allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.166.

Both drivers will later appear at the Launceston Magistrates Court.

Woman detained after woman suffers puncture wounds

2.55pm Sunday November 28, 2021

ONE woman has been wounded and another woman has been detained after a disturbance at an Eastern Shore house, Tasmania Police has reported.

On Sunday morning, police were called to the incident at a home at Herdsmans Cove.

Upon arrival, officers found a woman with two puncture wounds to her arm. Her injuries were described as non-life-threatening.

Tasmania Police said all parties were known to each other and there was no danger to the public.

Firefighters called to Warrane property

2.45pm Sunday November 28, 2021

Fire crews from Clarence and Glenorchy were called to a structure fire in Schouten St, Warrane, on Sunday afternoon.

On arrival the crews found a small fire burning in a wall cavity.

Fuel reduction burn in Beaconsfield

1pm Sunday November 28, 2021

The Tasmania Fire Service will be conducting a fuel reduction burn on Monday at Beaconsfield, subject to suitable weather conditions.

The planned burn area is approximately 37ha in size and it is expected to take three to four days to complete.

Smoke may persist for a few days afterwards, depending on wind conditions.

During burning operations, public access to the area will be restricted. The public is asked to remain well out of the burn site while the burn is taking place and for the following days until safety checks have been made along tracks and trails. Please comply with directions from staff or any signs if you are in the area.

While the fire intensity will be low, it will generate flames, smoke and ash. People with medical conditions are advised to have a personal plan for avoiding smoke from the burn. Advice is available from the Department of Health and Asthma Australia websites.

Further information about this burn is available by contacting the Tasmania Fire Service on 1800 000 699 or [e-mail]. A map of planned burns is available on the TFS website.