On the Beat

Two youths will appear in Ballina Children's Court on January 21 charged with the sexual assault of a young girl at Lennox Head on New Year's day. The teenage girl was allegedly assaulted on the beachfront opposite Lake Ainsworth shortly after midnight and detectives are now confident of making further arrests. Investigators are awaiting the outcome of a DNA analysis on forensic material. Police investigations also suggest a number of people were in the immediate vicinity at the time of the assault and Police believe they may be able to assist with enquiries. Any information to Ballina Police on 6681 8699.

Police are looking for two thieves who broke into a property in South Street, Alstonville, last Wednesday between 12noon and 5pm. Witnesses saw two men, who may be able to help Police with their enquiries. The first is described as aged 19-20, 175-80cm tall, thin build, Caucasian, in beige long pants, but not wearing a shirt. The other man was aged 17-18, 160-170cm tall, with shoulder length hair and wearing an orange shirt. The males were seen carrying stolen electrical items. Cash and a doona were also stolen. The men were seen in the South Street and Geoff Watt Oval areas. Any information to Alstonville Police on 6628 0244 or Ballina Police on 6681 8699.

A Goonellabah man with a serious mental illness was arrested last Wednesday night after he allegedly attacked his mother and threatened to shoot neighbours. The man, aged 22, was arrested with an aluminium baton and replica pistol following an altercation in Campbell Crescent, Goonellabah, at 8.50pm. Police came to the rescue of three people during the incident. The man has been bailed to appear in Lismore Local Court on February 7.

Lismore Police are appealing for help after a 1997 Green Hyundai was stolen from High Street, Lismore, last Wednesday night between 10pm and 3am. The car had NSW plates UWE-418. If sighted, do not approach it, and contact Lismore Police immediately on 6623 1599.

Three teenagers from Queensland have been arrested over the recent thefts of solar garden lights. The youths, aged 17, of Urungan, had been on a stealing spree taking numerous lights from Graeme Avenue, DA Olley Drive and Barham Streets, Lismore, before they were caught by residents during another theft in Barham Street. Lismore Police now have numerous lights from the thefts. Contact them on 6623 1599.

Police have confiscated a car they caught doing burnouts in Wollongbar on January 8. Highway Patrol officers from Ballina executed a search warrant on the Bruxner Highway last Saturday, January 15, and confiscated a 1998 Ford sedan belonging to a 26-year-old Wollongbar man. If caught doing burnouts, Police have the power to confiscate a vehicle for three months at the owner's cost. Drivers caught doing a second or subsequent burnouts can have their vehicle confiscated and sold, with the proceeds going to the NSW Government.

Police are warning rural residents to look out for thefts from sheds and unattended houses after 40 bales of hay were stolen from a hay shed at a property at Wiangaree some time between last Wednesday and Saturday. Kyogle Police are seeking information about the driver of a blue and white truck who may be able to help them with enquiries.

Two Lismore teenagers, aged 15 and 17, have been charged with break, enter and steal following a break-in at a house in Apo Street, Goonellabah, on Monday afternoon. Neighbours alerted Police to the break-in and when Police spotted them leaving the scene carrying items suspected of being stolen, the 17-year-old fled. Officers chased the youth on foot through backyards until he was arrested in Oliver Avenue. They appeared in Lismore Children's Court on Tuesday.

Police are warning motorists to slow down in the wet following a series of accidents during the rain this week, including a crash at an intersection at Skennars Head on Monday and another four hours later on Angels Beach Road, Ballina.

Thieves broke into a property on Invercauld Road, Goonellabah, around 9pm on Monday, stealing a large amount of loose coins. Police are warning shop owners to look out for anyone unfamiliar buying goods with large quantities of coins who does not regularly shop at the store. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599.

Casino Police are seeking information after galvanised roof trusses measuring 6x12 metres and valued at $1200 were stolen from a building site in Irving Drive, Casino. The theft occurred between Christmas Eve and when builders returned to work this week. Any information to Casino Police on 6662 0099.

Thieves have stolen a number of hand tools, a CD player, CDs and a can of paint from a premises being renovated in Bright Street, Lismore, between 6.30pm Monday and 10am Tuesday morning. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599.