On the Beat

A 46-year-old man was charged with a series of offences last Thursday after he barricaded himself in a Casino home and threatened to burn it down with the occupants inside. The man allegedly entered the house in Convent Street around 9.30pm last Thursday and doused a 17-year-old girl and a bedroom of the house in petrol. Two officers entered the room and tackled the man, seizing a cigarette lighter. The man was taken to Casino Police Station where he was charged with nine offences including stalking, contravening and AVO and intention to cause grievous bodily harm.

Police are seeking information after calling off a search for a missing vessel at Ballina on Monday. Last Friday a small boat was reportedly seen about 500 metres off Lighthouse Beach, with witnesses stating that the vessel appeared to be in distress. However, neither the Brunswick Heads Marine Rescue nor the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter could locate a vessel after an extensive search of the area. Nobody has been reported missing or overdue from a fishing trip. Further searches of the area will only be conducted if new information is received. Anyone with information should phone Ballina Police on 6681 8699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are seeking witnesses following the theft of a boat from Hensley carpark in Lismore sometime between 11am Saturday and 3pm Sunday. The boat was a silver three-seater 12ft tinnie with reinforced gunnels. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599.

A 23-year-old Ballina man was arrested and charged on Saturday night for travelling at 132kph in a 100kph zone, drink driving, driving unlicensed and driving an unregistered vehicle. The man was stopped around 9.15pm on the Pacific Highway at Pimlico where he recorded a PCA of 0.160.

More than $5000 worth of equipment was stolen from a business in Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah, around 9.40pm on Sunday night. The offender/s caused damage to both a vehicle and the building. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599.

A $3000 ride-on mower was stolen from a property on Richmond Hill Road, Richmond Hill, sometime between 2pm Sunday and 7.30am Tuesday morning. The mower was stolen from an open pergola. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599.

Police are warning businesses to secure doors and personal property after a spate of thefts throughout the CBD over the last week. Goods stolen include handbags, wallets and mobile phones.

Police are seeking witnesses after a woman was robbed of her backpack at the Ballina Quays Shopping Centre in West Ballina last Wednesday. The robbery occurred around 3.30pm outside Bertie's Bargain Butchers and the alleged offenders were last seen heading towards Quays Drive on push bikes. Any information to Ballina Police on 6681 8699.

Witnesses are being sought following a break-in at a church in Canterbury Street, Casino, between 2pm Monday and 7pm Tuesday. Offender/s have entered the building and caused serious water damage to a large area of carpet and seating. Any information to Casino Police on 6662 0099.