On the Beat

Local police have established a task force to tackle the continuing break ins around the Alstonville area. Acting Crime Co-ordinator Sgt Steve Caldwell appealed to residents to forward any information no matter how trivial it may seem.

"Both uniformed and plain clothes Police have been tasked to the Alstonville area, knocking on doors seeking information relating to the recent spate of offences occurring in Alstonville," he said.

Last Wednesday evening, thieves broke into two Alstonville residences - in Coral Street between 2 and 4pm and in Tannamera Drive between 10 and 11pm. The thieves gained access through open doors while the elderly residents were at home. Small amounts of cash were stolen from wallets and handbags.

Phone Ballina Police on 6681 8699 or Alstonville Police 6628 0244.

Thieves used a stolen Commodore station wagon in a ram raid at the Northern Rivers Hotel, last Thursday around 12.50am. The raid caused considerable damage to the premises and the stolen car, but they only managed to get away with a small quantity of alcohol. The car was found a short time later at the Lismore showground. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599.

A similar attack was made on the Station Hotel on Tuesday, 12.25am and 12.36am. Police are appealing for witnesses after thieves used a Commodore to ram the roller shutters of the hotel in Casino Street, South Lismore, and stole a number of bottles of alcohol. The vehicle was then seen to drive west along Casino Street.

Vandals blew up a brick letterbox, valued at $900, in Ballina around 2.47am last Thursday. Several nearby vehicles received considerable damage from flying debris in the explosion. Information to Ballina Police on 6681 8699.

Casino Police were called to Sextonville Road and Figtree Street, Casino, around 2.40am on Monday after fireworks had been set off in both locations. Enquiries are continuing. Meanwhile, Ballina Police charged a Ballina youth with fireworks offences after he was previously cautioned for similar offences. It is an offence to possess and/or ignite fireworks without an authority.

Evans Head Police have charged a 51-year-old door-to-door salesman with malicious damage after he kicked a front security door in Broadwater. A 47-year-old woman was standing at the door when the disgruntled salesman lashed out. He is due to appear in Casino Court on February 9.

Thieves stole a $2000 Silver Dehaviland runabout from a property in River Drive, Wardell, between 2.50pm and 4pm on Sunday. After similar robberies in recent weeks, Police are reminding owners to ensure their boat is clearly marked with ID should it be found, since stolen property that cannot be returned to its owners is auctioned. Anyone with information on boat thefts should phone Ballina Police on 6681 8699.

Police are warning people visiting parks and beaches to guard their valuables following several thefts, including a $700 mobile phone stolen from a 21-year-old man on Monday between 2 and 3pm while he was skating at Missingham Park and a wallet, cash and cards stolen from Shelley Beach between 3.30 and 4pm the same day, while the 20-year-old victim was swimming.

A good Samaritan turned out to be a thief, robbing an elderly man he gave a lift to on Sunday. The 82-year-old Lismore man was given a lift from Magellan Street to Phillip Street around 3.45pm and when he offered the driver some money, his attacker grabbed the wallet and took a large amount of cash from it before returning the wallet. The thief is described as male, aged around 40, of heavy build, about 180cm tall, brown skin, brown hair, and driving a utility. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599.

A 21-year-old Lennox Head man had his Holden station wagon stolen and burnt on Tuesday night. The car was parked in Barrett Drive, Lennox Head, around 11.30pm, but around 3am Police were called about a car alight on the Teven Road, 2km west of the Highway. It was completely destroyed. Any witnesses should contact Ballina Police on 6681 8699.

An Alstonville teenager is facing a series of traffic offences after Police caught him speeding on his motorbike twice in three days. The 18-year-old Alstonville man had a female passenger on his Yamaha 250 motorcycle when Highway Patrol Police spotted him speeding around 2pm on Sunday at Wollongbar. He tried to hide in the toilet block at a service station. Then on Tuesday around 10.10pm, Police saw him accelerate to overtake two heavy vehicles on the inside lane on the highway near the Big Prawn. When the trucks saw the Police they pulled to the left, nearly colliding with the motorcycle.

The man has been charged with speeding offences and driving whilst suspended and will appear at Ballina court on February 3.

A 52-year-old man is facing numerous drug offences, including the possession of plants and seeds, and cultivating both hydroponic and bush cannabis after a police raid on a property on Blue Knob Road, Nimbin on December 24. Police allegedly seized 291 cannabis plants, 2kg of leaf and several containers of cannabis seeds.