On the Beat

A 31-year-old man has been charged over the alleged armed robberies of Lismore's Southern Cross Credit Union and Bananacoast Credit Union on June 10 and 14. The man, from The Entrance near Gosford, has been remanded in custody to appear in Wyong Local Court on July 27.

A 43-year-old man was charged with peep and pry and offensive conduct around 3.25am on Monday after taunting staff at a business in Dalley Street, East Lismore. It is alleged the man was hassling staff for several months by prowling around the complex and leaving offensive material at the premises.

Police are warning people to lock their doors before going to bed at night following several reports of prowlers in Lismore and Casino on Tuesday night. At around 10.40pm a 24-year-old Lismore woman heard her front unlocked front door being opened in High Street, Lismore. She called out and the prowler fled. In Sheppard Street, Casino, a man was awoken around 5.15am when a man tripped on his verandah. The man chased the prowler but lost him in a local park.

Police are seeking witnesses after a car was stolen from a house in Goonellabah and later smashed into a house in Oakshot Street, East Lismore. The 1990 Holden sedan, and some personal property, was stolen from a Wyreema Avenue home between 11.30pm Monday and 3.55am Tuesday. Police received several reports of the offender/s committing traffic offences and police then discovered the car had collided with the Oakshot Street home. The offender/s fled the scene. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599.

Police are seeking information after a car was burnt out in Cherry Street, Ballina, around 1.30am Wednesday. Someone attempted to steal the 1997 Holden station wagon that was parked in Cheery Street on Tuesday night, however, attempts were unsuccessful and the vehicle was only partially damaged. In the early hours of Wednesday a passing security officer saw the vehicle partially alight and called the fire brigade, however, the fire took hold quickly and soon engulfed the vehicle. It was totally destroyed. Any information to Ballina Police on 6681 8699.

Police are seeking witnesses after a letter box was destroyed by fire on the corner of Teven Street and Rous Road, Goonellabah, around 10pm on Tuesday night. Police and fire brigade were called to the scene, and several people said they saw a young man acting suspiciously in the area. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599.

Police have issued a strong warning to residents after discovering a series of chain letters being circulated throughout the region.

"Police have in their possession a chain letter which promises great rewards for little effort," said Richmond Local Area Command crime manager, Anne Langford. "If it sounds too good to be true, then most probably it is."

The chain letter promises people they can earn more than $78,000 within 60 days with an investment of $212 and five hours work.

Police say it is a pyramid scheme and people should ignore the letters. Anyone with concerns should phone Senior Constable Michael Hogan from Lismore Police on 6623 1523 or the Department of Fair Trading.

Police are seeking information regarding a break-in at a church in Canterbury Street, Casino, between 2pm Monday and 7pm Tuesday. The offender/s caused serious water damage to the carpet and seating area throughout the church. Any information to Casino Police on 6662 0099.

A 17-year-old Lismore man was charged with drink driving and riding whilst unlicensed around 3.25am on Sunday. Police saw the man riding a 1984 black Honda motorcycle at the intersection of Union and Elliot streets in South Lismore with no lights, a bald tyre and no helmet. He recorded a PCA of 0.060.