On the Beat

Ballina police are warning businesspeople to secure personal belongings after the 74-year-old proprietor of a business in Kerr Street, Ballina, had her purse stolen from her handbag at the rear of the store. The theft occurred between 10am and 1.30pm last Wednesday. A small amount of cash and personal papers were stolen.

A 27-year-old Lismore man will appear in Lismore Court on October 11 after he was stopped for a breath test along Gundurimba Road, Lismore, around 3.50am last Thursday. The man gave a reading of 0.135. A Police check revealed he had never held a drivers license.

Police were called to Crown Street, South Lismore, around 7.30pm last Wednesday, following reports of hoodlums driving a red Pulsar in the area, but they fled before Police arrived. 30 minutes later they discovered that the car had been stolen from Carmen Street, Goonellabah, as part of a break-in that also netted thieves a small amount of cash and a laptop computer. The thieves also caused considerable damage while rummaging through the rooms and poured the contents of the fridge on the main bed and lounge. Around 8.30pm Police sighted the vehicle in Wyreema Avenue, Goonellabah, and began a pursuit. The Pulsar accelerated before turning into Rous Road and then Reserve Street, where the occupants fled on foot. Police lost sight of the offenders as they ran into McDermott Drive. They are described as male Aboriginal youth. Inquiries are continuing.

A 1983 Nissan Skyline sedan suffered considerable damage after thieves attempted to steal it between 6.30pm and 10.30pm last Wednesday. The car was parked in Keen Street, Lismore, near the oval. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599.

Two men, aged 25 and 33, were rescued off Shelley beach on Sunday morning after their jet ski broke down and strong currents swept them 1.5km offshore. The Jet Boat Rescue towed the jet ski back in to shore. No-one was injured.

A laptop computer, a ship in a bottle and collectors registration plates were stolen from a property in Beaumont Drive, East Lismore, following a break-in between 10pm Sunday and 5.30am Monday. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599.

A telephone box on the corner of Rous Road and Teven Street, Goonellabah, was pushed over early on Sunday morning. The damage is estimated at $1000.

A resident in Deloraine Street, Lismore Heights, had his $40,000 Nissan Navara stolen on Saturday night after thieves broke into his house between 8.30pm and 3am, taking a carton of cigarettes and car keys. The car was found later in the grounds of Lismore Heights Public School, where it was bogged and wedged against a fence. Lismore Police are appealing for witnesses for information on 6623 1599.

A 1991 Toyota Corolla sedan was stolen from Fig Tree Drive, Goonellabah, on Saturday night. The car was found later in Kruseana Avenue suffering damage to steering column and ignition.

A 47-year-old woman has her handbag, containing her wallet and credit cards, mobile phone, cosmetics, diary and spectacles stolen from her car on Monday afternoon after leaving it parked in Uralba Street, Lismore.

A wallet containing cash was stolen from the bedroom of a house in Dudley Drive, Goonellabah, on Monday. Thieves broke in between 8am and 5.05pm and rummaged through the house. Electrical items were unplugged but not taken.

A 54-year-old man in Just Street, Goonellabah, discovered how quick thieves can be on Monday morning after he ducked down the road to get parts for the car he was working on. He locked his house except for one small window. While Police were in the area about a break-in in an adjoining street, they received a call that people matching the offenders' descriptions were now in the rear yard of the man's premises. The thieves had fled by the time Police arrived, but they found that the house had been searched through. While Police were still on the scene the victim returned home, surprised to find he had company.

Residents and tradesman contacted police around 10.35am on Monday morning about six young men entering yards and looking into houses in Rosella Court, Goonellabah. One of the men kept watch and witnesses reported that as Police approached, there was a series of whistles warning the thieves about the approaching Police. The group fled down an alleyway between houses and entered the park off Oliver Avenue. Police inquiries are continuing.

Thieves broke into a house in Casey Place, West Ballina, between 8.20pm Monday and 9am Tuesday. A 47-year-old woman had various items of jewellery stolen, along with a Play Station, computer, speakers and cash. Any information to Ballina Police.

A 1991 Blue Ford Laser sedan was stolen from Cambridge Drive, Goonellabah, between 5.30pm Tuesday and 6.45am Wednesday.