On the Beat

A 49-year-old Lismore man has had his licence confiscated after he was found driving on Saturday night with a blood alcohol level of 0.205. Police responded to complaints about the man driving his Suzuki Sierra around 8.30pm and found the car driving without headlights on.

A 17-year-old Teven youth won't be driving again for some time after Police arrested and charged him with speeding and drink driving at five times his legal limit. The P-plate teenager was detected driving a Commodore at 152km/h on the Pacific Highway near Cumbalum at 1.55am on Sunday. His licence limits him to 80km/h.

He was charged with mid-range PCA for a reading of 0.105. The teenager had three male passengers who also appeared to be intoxicated.

A neon sign on the Bangalow road at Ballina suffered more than $2000 worth of damage some time between 9.30pm Saturday and 6.45am Sunday. Any information to Ballina Police on 6681 8699.

Police are warning motorists to take care in securing their cars as local thefts continue. On Sunday at 6.30am, a 1986 white Toyota, previously stolen from Elizabeth Ave, Goonellabah, was found parked in the middle of the road in Waratah Way Goonellabah.

A 1987 white Ford sedan was stolen from Richmond Street, Wardell, at 10.01pm on Friday.

A1983 blue Mitsubishi Colt sedan, parked on the street in Kathryn Drive, Goonellabah, was stolen between 11pm Saturday and 8am Sunday. The car was unlocked and the keys were under the car's floor mat.

A 1991 white Holden commodore sedan in Waratah Way, Goonellabah was stolen between 2am and 7.30am Sunday.

A 32-year-old Kyogle man is facing a series of charging over the alleged stabbing of a man and woman in Kyogle on Monday night. Gordon Timothy Close appeared in Lismore Local Court on Tuesday charged with assault causing malicious wounding, assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and using a weapon. Police allege they were called to a property in Highfield Road at 4.45pm on Monday in response to the stabbing of a 27-year-old woman and 44-year-old man. Close had allegedly stabbed the woman in both arms using scissors and a long-bladed kitchen knife and when the man tried to intervene, he was stabbed in the back, as well as receiving wounds on his left arm and fingers.

The female was able to flee the scene and raised the alarm with police. She was treated at Kyogle hospital for lacerations. The male victim was transferred to the Lismore Base Hospital with a suspected punctured lung.

After the attacker fled the scene, a police dog was used to track him to a nearby property. Police allege that when they entered a dark bedroom, Close lunged at them with a large knife, but with help from the dog, they were able to subdue him, although two officers were hit during the struggle.

Close was refused bail and will reappear on October 11.

Alstonville police are appealing for witnesses following a break and enter in the Alstonville Plaza shopping centre between 10pm Sunday and 7.30am Monday. A personal computer, digital camera and power drill were stolen from a business. Contact police on 6628 0244.

A 66-year-old Ballina man was in his lounge room when a thief broke into his house in Tamar Street around 8pm on Monday. The man heard a noise in the kitchen, went to investigate and heard someone running down his hallway. The thief removed the fly screen on an open window to get in and stole two black handbags and a brown leather wallet.

Police have warned pushbike riders to wear approved helmets following a rise in the number of cyclists who aren't complying with the law. They have pledged to target riders flaunting the law.

Rural property owners are being reminded to lock up after thieves broke into a house on Rous Road, Tregeagle some time between 4pm Monday and 4pm Tuesday. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599.

A 44-year-old man has been charged over the theft of a Holden utility from a local caryard on Sunday morning. The ute was spotted by a caryard employee in Goonellabah on Tuesday morning. He followed it, giving police directions on his mobile phone and a pursuit began after the vehicle failed to stop for Police around Girrards Hill and the CBD. The man has been charged with a range of offences, including dangerous driving, theft and break and enter.