Finally: Tougher Home Burglary Laws pass Parliament

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After making the promise at the last state election to toughen home burglary laws the Liberal party has at long last delivered something. After spending many months in the upper house, the WA parliament finally passed the legislation. Full press release from Ian Blayney's office follows:

The Liberal National Government has re-affirmed its commitment to making WA communities safer after its tough home invasion and burglary laws passed Parliament last night.

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said in delivering this election commitment, the toughest penalties in Australia would be imposed for serious home invasion offenders.  Mandatory sentencing laws for serial home burglars would also be tightened. 

“These tough new laws protect the people targeted for home burglaries and those that are terrorised and attacked during a home invasion,” Mr Blayney said.

“The Liberal National Government promised residents of Geraldton that we would be tough on crime and we have delivered on that commitment today.”

Mr Blayney the legislation mandated minimum jail terms of 75 per cent of the maximum sentence for an adult offender who committed serious physical or sexual assault during a home burglary. This means: 

• an offender who breaks into a house and sexually assaults someone will face a minimum of 15 years jail;

• an offender who breaks into a house and physically assaults someone causing serious harm will face a minimum of seven years, six months jail; and

• an offender who breaks into a house and indecently assaults someone will face a minimum of five years, three months jail.

Mr Blayney said the three strike rules would also be tightened to stop offenders being able to have all their offences bundled together as one strike.

“Under the new laws, if an offender has committed three burglaries, on three days that is three strikes and they’re going to jail,” Mr Blayney said

“We know that the majority of home invasions are committed by prolific offenders. To get these offenders off the streets and into a prison cell will help burglary rates decrease.”

Mr Blayney said the Liberal National Government was dedicated to making communities safer through tough laws and by providing police with the resources they needed to combat crime and anti-social behaviour.

Juvenile Arrested in Wonthella

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On Saturday 12 September 2015 12.45pm a 15 year old male was arrested by Geraldton Police near Wonthella.

Police allege the 15 year old male stole a moped near the athletics centre in Spalding. The male travelled across the athletics oval, into the car park then across Eighth Street towards Wonthella.

Police stopped the male shortly after and he was conveyed to Geraldton Police Station where he was later charged with Steal Motor Vehicle and No Authority To Drive.

The male will appear in Geraldton Children’s Court. 

Man Attempts To Gain Entry To Rear Of Police Station

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Update: Police asking for public assistance

On Friday 11 September 2015 at approximately 10.00pm a 57 year old male crashed his vehicle at the intersection of Chapman Road and Forrest Street Geraldton, the rear of Geraldton Police Station. The vehicle involved was a 2004 white Holden Commodore. 

The male immediately exited the vehicle and ran through the rear security gate of the Police Station whilst a Police vehicle exited. 

Police are seeking public assistance and asking for any information regarding the crash. Please call Geraldton Police Station on with any information 9234555.

 

On Friday 11 September 2015 at approximately 10.00pm a 57 year old male crashed his vehicle at the intersection of Chapman Road and Forrest Street Geraldton, the rear of Geraldton Police Station.

The male immediately exited the vehicle and ran through the rear security gate of the Police Station whilst a Police vehicle exited.

Police allege the male was yelling as he ran through the gate before approaching the security door that allows entry into the police station where he kicked the glass panel door causing it to crack severely.

The police vehicle that was exiting at the time quickly approached the male who was now holding a folding knife and a paint scraper. The male dropped the items when requested by police and was subsequently arrested.

During a search of the male, Police located a small clip seal bag containing cannabis in his pocket.

The male will appear in Geraldton Magistrates Court charged with Trespassing, Criminal Damage, Being Armed in a Way That May Cause Fear and Possess Prohibited Drug (cannabis).

Police are continuing investigations into the circumstances of the traffic crash. 

Armed Robbery – Marine Terrace Geraldton

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On Thursday 3 September 2015 at approximately 9.50am, a Minelab metal detector worth $10,000 was stolen from a store on Marine Terrace in Geraldton.

Staff members approached the man who had stolen the metal detector after he had left the store. A knife was produced and a threat was made towards the staff members.

The man left the scene in a red Holden Commodore sedan.

If you have any information about this offence make a report online or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, where all calls are strictly confidential, and rewards are offered. 

Wire across Rd in Wandina, residents warned

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This was just sent in to EG

"I was driving on Herbert Street in wandina, the new area.  When I almost didn't see this wire going across the road,  could of been some serious damage to someone's car,  or even worse an accident. Especially if someone was on a motorcycle.  I'm assuming kids did this,  I don't know how dumb they can get. Absolutely no reason to be doing this sort of thing,  think about what could happen next time you do something so stupid!"

Assistance sought from community

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Geraldton police are seeking the public’s assistance in relation to a Burglary incident that occurred in Bluff Point on Wednesday 02 September 2015, the second in a week.

At approximately 1.45am a female forced entry into a hotel on Chapman Road and gained access to the function centre. The female was spooked by the alarm and was last seen running from the lobby area.

The female is described as fat to solid build.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call Geraldton Police on 9923 4555. 

Arrests following pursuit

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During the night of 26 August 2015, a Holden Commodore utility and a Mazda hatchback were stolen during a burglary in Caversham, Perth. 

On 27 August 2015, the Holden Commodore was sighted by police, travelling along Indian Ocean Road, Jurien Bay. It will be alleged that following attempts to intercept the vehicle, the vehicle failed to stop and continued towards Geraldton. 

After an effective deployment of the “stinger” it is alleged the youths abandoned the vehicle in a paddock near Dongara. Geraldton Police Dog Handler and Police Dog Bucky, with the assistance of Jurien Bay Police, Dongara Police and Mid-West Gascoyne Traffic Enforcement Group, apprehended four youths running from the stolen vehicle.

A 14 year old male from Nollamara was charged with Steal Motor Vehicle x 2 and receiving, another two 14 year old males from Mirrabooka and Koondoola were charged with Steal Motor Vehicle x 2 and a 15 year old male from Lockridge charged with Steal Motor Vehicle x 2 and No Authority to Drive. All four males were conveyed to Geraldton Police Station and will attend Geraldton Children’s Court at a later date. 

PD BUCKY at the scene

Police seek assistance

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At about 1:00am on of Friday 28 August 2015, a window was smashed to gain entry into a fast food outlet in Spalding.

Five people dressed in black hoodies, wearing caps and gloves were seen in the area heading south east.

Police would like to speak to anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident who may have seen the incident or anyone acting suspiciously. Anyone with information is asked to call Geraldton Police Station on 9923 4555.

Weapons Charge

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At about 7:30pm on Monday 24 August 2015 a male person was walking along Pass Street, Wonthella.

Following several reports regarding the male person received from the public, police attended the area and subsequently located the male. It is alleged that following a search of his person, a 73cm machete was located. The weapon was subsequently seized and the male person was arrested without incident.

The male, a 28 year old from Utakarra, will appear at the Geraldton Magistrates Court at a later date charged with carry or possess weapon other than controlled or prohibited with intent to cause fear. 

Man on the run following fiery crash

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Geraldton Police are on the lookout for a man who fled from this wreckage following a pursuit. 

They tweeted a moment ago: 

"Police on the hunt for a man who fled the scene after a pursuit #luckytobealive #6monthsjail #whenwefindhim "

According to witnesses the crash occurred on the corner of Horwood and Edward Rd.  

 

Vehicle theft at Geraldton Cemetery

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The Geraldton Cemetery is asking for the public's assistance following the theft of a ute early this morning. 

This morning between 1.32 and 1.48am a work ute was stolen from the Geraldton Cemetery Compound. It is a 1999, V6 petrol, silver Holden Rodeo DX, aluminium tray-back 2WD.

The two thieves, wearing hoodies, cut through the compound fence, jemmied open the new shed, hot-wired the utility and drove it through the locked compound gates. CCTV footage is being examined and Geraldton Police have been informed. If anyone has any information or spots the utility could they please contact Geraldton Police. This is just another occurrence of ongoing vandalism at Geraldton Cemetery.

Geraldton Police can be contacted on 9923 4555. 

Firearm and ammunition seized during vehicle search

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At about 4.30am on Wednesday the 12th of August 2015 Geraldton Police were patrolling Durlacher Street Geraldton when they conducted a traffic stop on a Hyundai sedan.

Police searched the 5 male occupants and the vehicle, it will be alleged an unlicenced air rifle and 2 boxes of air rifle pellets were found in the boot of the vehicle.

The air rifle and pellets were seized by Police and a 26 year old Gosnells male was interviewed in relation to the items seized.

Further inquiries are being conducted and charges are pending the outcome of the inquiries.

Serious assault arrest

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On Saturday the 4 th of July 2015 a 45 year old male from Woorree was at a function at the Active West Basketball Stadium in Wonthella.

It will be alleged a 22 year old male from Rangeway approached the 45 year old and the pair began to argue.

Police will further allege the 22 year old punched the victim to the face with enough force to cause multiple fractures to the victim’s jaw.

The victim was flown to Perth and required surgery to have screws and plates inserted in his jaw.

On Tuesday the 11th of August 2015 the male offender was interviewed and charged with Grievous Bodily Harm, he was released on bail to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on the 3 rd of September 2015. 

Robbery arrest

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At about 1.10pm on Monday the 10th of August 2015 a 33 year old male from Spalding was walking along Durlacher Street in Geraldton talking on his mobile phone.

It will be alleged a 37 year old male from Utakarra approached the 33 year old and accused him of stealing his mobile phone.

The 33 year old informed the Utakarra male that he did not take his phone, however without warning the 37 year old punched the victim to the face with a closed fist cutting his lip and causing him to drop his mobile phone.

Police will further allege the 37 year old picked up the victim’s phone and left the scene.

Officers from Mid-West Gascoyne Traffic Office were patrolling the area when a member of the public who witnessed the incident pointed out the alleged offender to the officers who apprehended the male after a short foot chase.

It will be further alleged the victim’s mobile phone was recovered from the apprehended male’s pocket.

He was arrested and will appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on the 11th of August 2015. 

Weapon Charge

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At about 11:30am on Tuesday 4 August 2015 a male person was riding his bicycle on the corner of Utakarra Road and Rifle Range Road, Rangeway. Police stopped the male person after it appeared that the he was attempting to conceal himself behind a tree. It will be alleged that following a search of his person, a throwing knife in a black sheath was located in the front of his tracksuit pants. The knife was subsequently seized. The 36 year old male from Rangeway will appear at the Geraldton Magistrates Court at a later date charged with carry or possess a controlled weapon. 

Letter to the editor - Suggestion for crime problems

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I have recently returned to Gero after spending 7 years away and I am living back in Rangeway and things have sure changed. 

Instead of whinging about everything everyone already knows about the crime rate, i have always thought that as a Great Grandmother the children are the ones that are aimless, bored and most with no home life to go home to; Noisy drinkers, druggies and no study or peace. Let's entertain the kids and re-educate, slice a chunk off the crime rate.

- Allana Johansen

Dongara Police seize meth and $27k cash in traffic stops

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It's been another busy weekend for Police. This time Dongara Police have announced large seizures of drugs and cash. 

Moments ago via Twitter they announced:  

In separate traffic stops over w/e, drugs incl. 25 grams Ice, Property and more than $27k from drug sales seized 

Drivers under the influence of drugs is also still a recurring problem in the Mid West, with Police regularly reporting positive drug tests of drivers.  

Geraldton Police also reported finding meth on a driver Friday evening. 

At about 8.35 pm on Friday the 7th of August 2015 Police stopped a vehicle on Chapman Road, Drummond Cove.

Police say they had cause to search the occupants of the vehicle, and alleged the passenger concealed a small clip seal bag containing a crystal substance down his pants weighing approximately 0.57grams.

The 37 year old male from Spalding admitted the substance was methylamphetamines, and he was arrested for possessing a prohibited drug and was released to bail to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on the 20th of August.