On the Beat

Ballina Police are appealing for information following an attack on a car in Kerr Street last Wednesday night. Around 7.20pm three people smashed the Toyota sedan with cricket bats and iron bars before fleeing the seen in a white vehicle.

Most of the windows had been smashed, and the roof had a large dent, as well as the bonnet. Any information to Police on 6681 8699.

A digital camera and cash were stolen from a home in Coomera Place, Goonellabah, between 1.30 and 2.55pm last Wednesday. Lismore Police are seeking further witnesses. A young male, aged 16 to 18 years, was seen in backyards in the area at the time of the offence. Any information to Police on 6623 1599.

A 33-year-old Ballina man has been charged with several malicious damage offences, offensive language, resisting arrest and breaching bail. Police arrested him last Wednesday after he had damaged a metal fence, an advertising sign, a glass door and a display with his skateboard while yelling abuse at passers-by. He will appear in Ballina Court on November 19.

Police are reminding people to lock their doors after break-ins on the weekend. On Sunday between 12noon and 1pm, thieves gained access to a River Street business through open and unlocked security and rear doors. A backpack containing a watch, university books, and clothes was stolen from the office. That night thieves also entered a Fox Street premises between 8.15pm and 10.30pm via a security door and unlocked glass door. A backpack and wallet and were stolen.

Youths stole a new pair of basketball shoes from the side of Lismore Lake Swimming Pool whilst the 12-year-old owner was swimming at around 3.30pm on Sunday. Any information to Police on 6623 1599.

A crackdown on drink driving on the weekend led to nine people being charged with a range of offences, including high range PCA.

One man, aged 33, had a blood alcohol level of 0.175 when tested on the Coast Road in Ballina. Two brothers, aged 16 and 17, where charged with driving unlicensed, unregistered and uninsured. The first brother was stopped on the Pacific Highway at 6.30pm and the other brother 15 minutes later in Aspley Street, Ballina. Two other Ballina men in their 20s were charged with low-range PCA, and another, aged 21, with driving while unlicensed.

An Alstonville man, aged 23, was charged with mid range PCA for a 0.07 reading on Tanamera Drive. In Lismore, a 36-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman were charged with drink driving offences, while a 21-year-old Lismore man was charged over burnouts in Dawson Street. In Nimbin, a 49-year-old man gave a 0.13 reading, while a Sydney woman, aged 21, was charged after giving a false name.

More cattle have been stolen - this time five head (3 x Simmental, 2 Simmental-Guernsey cross), worth $3500, from a property on Marom Creek Road, Meerschaum Vale, some time after 6pm on Saturday. Any information to Alstonville Police on 6628 0244. Cattle owners are reminded to be on the lookout for strange or unusual stock movements in their area and to contact Police immediately.

A lawn mower, locked under a house in Walker Street, Casino, was stolen some time between 12pm Friday and 10am Saturday. Any information to Casino Police on 6662 0099.

A Playstation, games, cash and a digital camera were stolen from a unit in Nature Court, Goonellabah, on Monday. The break-in occurred between 8am and 5.30pm. A Playstation, DVDs and a backpack were also stolen from a place in Figtree Drive, Goonellabah between 10.30am and 11am the same day. Police are seeking any information on people offering similar property for sale. Phone police in confidence on 6623 1599.

Alstonville Police are seeking information over the theft of two large shade sails from a residence in Whipps Avenue, Alstonville, between 7am and 2.30pm on Tuesday. Phone 6628 0244.

Alstonville Police have raised concerns over young people who caused a disturbance while congregating at Geoff Watt Oval, Alstonville, on Saturday night. Around 70 to 80 juveniles were there between 8.40pm and 9.10pm, and Police heard smashing bottles and offensive language as they approached. But the youths scattered when officers arrived. Police found a large number of pre-mixed alcoholic cans and beer bottles - some smashed on the oval. The youths returned to the oval on three separate occasions. They also congregated in the carpark in Alston Avenue, attracting a number of complaints from residents.

Police have several concerns, including the welfare of the youth, the damage caused to the oval, where the alcohol was obtained, and where did parents believe their children were that night.

A 33-year-old Lennox Head man who crashed his motorbike in front of an off-duty police officer is facing a range of serious charges after he was found to have a blood alcohol reading of 0.22. The accident occurred near the intersection of North Creek Road and Blue Seas Parade, Lennox Head, around 6.40pm on Tuesday. He was treated by ambulance officers for minor injuries. He has never held a license and has been charged with unlicensed driving, as well as riding an uninsured and unregistered motorcycle.

Students at a dance class in Keen Street, Lismore, had their wallets and other personal property stolen between 1.30pm and 3.30pm on Tuesday. Police are appealing for any information. Phone 6623 1599.

An elderly Ballina man was robbed while mowing his lawn on Monday. The 70-year-old was working in the garden between 11.30am and 1pm when thieves got into his home via the open garage door and stole a considerable amount of cash from his wallet. Information to Ballina Police on 6681 8699.