Man peacefully surrenders to police following siege at Penguin home
A man reportedly armed with a knife has peacefully surrendered to police following a siege at a Penguin home. LATEST BREAKING NEWS >>
Police & Courts
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PENGUIN SIEGE
Tuesday July 27
Update: The man surrendered to police around 3:40pm and was led peacefully away by officers.
He is being transported to the North West Regional Hospital for medical assessment.
Earlier: Police officers are talking to a man who is reportedly armed with a knife inside a Housing Tasmania unit at Penguin.
The woman who lives next door said the complex used to be a quiet place but there had been trouble lately between the man and woman who also lives in the small units in Mellie Court.
“Let’s hope this can be peacefully resolved soon.” she said.
Tasmania Police said the man is the only person inside the property.
It’s believed there is no threat to the wider community.
BRIGHTON CRASH
Tuesday July 27
Police are searching for the driver of a sedan after a crash between the car and a blue van at the intersection of Elderslie Road and Cartwright Street at Brighton this morning.
Upon impact the sedan went off the road and up onto an electrical wire connected to a TasNetworks pole.
Officers arrived at the scene around 9:20am to find the driver of the vehicle had vanished.
“A photograph taken by a witness shortly after the crash shows a man with short dark hair, dark jumper and khaki pants at the car.” Tasmania Police said in a statement.
The driver of the van suffered minor injuries.
Anyone who saw the sedan around the time of the crash is being urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.
SERIOUS CRASH - MIDDLE TEA TREE ROAD
Tuesday July 27
A 22-year-old Richmond man is in a serious condition after hitting a tree in Southern Tasmania overnight.
Police said the man, who was heading in an easterly direction on Middle Tea Tree Road, lost control and hit a tree about 10.30pm Monday night.
The incident happened outside Daisy Bank Farms, according to authorities.
The driver of the silver Toyota Hilux ute is in a critical condition in Royal Hobart Hospital.
SHOTS FIRED INTO LAUNCESTON HOME
Update, Monday July 26: LAUNCESTON police say the firearms taskforce is getting results and getting illegal firearms off the streets, despite another shooting in the area over the weekend.
A 26-year-old Perth woman and a 27-year-old Longford man have now been charged after shots were fired into a home on Boiton Hill Road in Norwood on Saturday night.
Police say it was targeted and the occupants were not home at the time.
There have been 21 firearms related incidents since March, with 12 people charged in relation to those incidents.
Since the taskforce was established in April, 62 searches have been conducted and 60 people have been charged with 266 offences.
A total of 60 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition have been seized, along with illicit substances and stolen property.
Inspector Mel Groves said the taskforce was having an impact and taking illegal firearms off the street.
“We’re continuing to target and investigate illegal firearms, it concerns us, we take all reports seriously,” Inspector Groves said.
Last month 21 firearms and thousands of round of ammunition were seized by members of the taskforce during a search of two Longford properties.
More than 50 firearms, including a World War II pistol, were also handed in during a gun amnesty in May.
In some of the most firearm related incidents, a St Leonard’s convenience store was held up at gun point on June 5, shots were fired into two Launceston homes in unrelated incidents on June 25.
On May 26 shots were fired through the window a Waverley home and on April 22 a 52-year-old man required surgery after being shot when he confronted two men allegedly attempting to steal his car.
Inspector Mel Groves said the Norwood incident was an example of the fast response of police to firearm related incidents.
“Within 24 hours one person was arrested and in slightly over 24 hours a second person,” she said.
A local business owner near the latest incident in Norwood said it was scary to have it happen so close by.
“We also live nearby and it’s scary, we’re not getting information on why there is this presence (of firearms) in the community,” she said.
Another local resident said while there were gun owners who were doing the right thing it still seemed some were ending up in the wrong hands.
“We’re very thankful for members of the community for coming forward with information on illegal firearms and urge them to continue to provide that information to police or Crimestoppers,” Inspector Groves said.
Earlier: A GUN has been fired into a Launceston home overnight, sparking a police investigation.
Tasmania Police says officers were called to a residence at Boiton Hill Road, Norwood at 10.43pm yesterday, following a report of a gun being fired into the home.
“The occupants of the residence were present at the time but were not injured,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.
“Police believe it was a targeted incident involving people known to each other and there is no threat to the wider community.”
If you have any information about the incident, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au.
MAN CHARGED OVER LAUDERDALE CRASH
A man from Hobart’s Eastern Shore has been charged following a single motorbike crash at Lauderdale on Saturday morning.
The 21-year-old is accused of performing a wheelie on an unregistered Yamaha Trail Bike on Bangalee Street while almost four times over the legal alcohol limit around 9:50am in the morning.
The rider suffered minor injuries from the crash and was reportedly not wearing a helmet at the time.
He was taken to Bellerive Police Station and the motorbike that belonged to a friend was seized by police.
“This crash had potential to cause serious injuries and all riders whether recreational or on the road should always wear an approved helmet and protective clothing.” Tasmania Police said in a statement.
“Police would like to remind riders that speed and alcohol continue to be factors in fatal and serious injury crashes.”
The Cremorne man will appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date.
Anyone who witnessed the motorbike in Lauderdale prior to the crash is encouraged to contact Bellerive Police on 131 444.
POLICE TRACK DOWN CAR, DRIVER INVOLVED IN CRASH
FOLLOWING a trail of damage from Davey St to Tolman’s Hill, police have tracked down a car involved in a multiple-vehicle crash in the early hours of Sunday morning.
About 2.30am, Tasmania Police responded to reports of a prang in Hobart, where a silver Mitsubishi Triton had crashed into multiple cars.
Police say they found the Mitsubishi with “significant front-end crash damage”.
The car’s owner, a 25-year-old Tolman’s Hill man, was arrested and returned a blood alcohol limit of 0.182, nearly four times the legal limit.
He was charged with several driving offences, including failing to stop at a crash, driving under the influence and exceeding 0.05 per cent blood alcohol content.
The driver was bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court on October 6 and has been disqualified from driving for 24 months.
“Police have identified several damaged vehicles, however if there are any further vehicles or damage not yet reported police ask that those owners contact police,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.
“Police continue to be dismayed at the risk-taking behaviour displayed by some motorists. We remind drivers if they are in any doubt as to their suitability to drive, don’t drive. This sort of inconsiderate and selfish behaviour can have tragic consequences.”
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