Man caught drink driving
/Police are continuing to crack down on drink drivers in Geraldton.
Tuesday evening around 9:30 (6/1/15) a 47 year old man was driving a Subaru Liberty on Chapman Rd.
Police stopped the vehicle, and ascertained that he had been drinking. The man was taken to the local Police station where he gave a final reading of 0.085 grams of alcohol per 100mL of blood at the time of occurrence.
The Geraldton man from will face Geraldton Magistrates Court on 29 January 2015.
38 year old woman caught peering through windows of home; charged with trespassing
/A 38 year old woman has been charged with trespassing after being caught on camera peering through the windows of a Drummond Cove home.
Police say that at around 6pm on 21 October 2014 the female entered the back yard on a home on Tailer Street.
The woman had two other people with her.
She entered the yard through an the side gate and proceeded to look through the windows at the rear of the home, before heading back through the gate and looking through the windows at the front of the home.
The CCTV footage showed her on the premises for approximately 8 minutes.
On 6 January 2014, a 38 year old female was charged with trespassing. She will face Geraldton Magistrates Court on 29 January 2015.
A 38 year old male has also been charged and will face Geraldton Magistrates Court on 8 January 2015.
Wounding
/An employee's fear has landed him in hot water after he slashed a tradesman who he thought to be a robber.
Police say that last night (Tues 6/1/15) two tradesmen were working late at a premises on Marine Terrace, completing renovations.
At about 10.35pm, one of the tradesman, who had been given a key to access toilets at the rear of the neighbouring shop, went to use the facilities.
A male employee who was still working in the neighbouring shop heard noises and went to investigate. As the tradesman reached through the gate to unlock it, the male fearing he was about to be robbed, slashed at the tradesman’s wrist with a knife, causing serious injury to the right wrist of the tradesman.
Police say the 35 year old tradesman will require further treatment in Perth.
A 51 year old male from Mt Tarcoola has been charged with Unlawful Wounding and will appear before Geraldton Magistrates Court at a later date.
Stolen Vehicle
/Sent in: "My car as been stolen from wonthella if anyone see it please call me on 0458154452 rego number is 1BHX-562"
Vehicle was reportedly stolen around 12pm today (5/1/15)
Geraldton Police can be reached on 99234555 if you know anything.
Car windows smashed and items stolen
/Just sent in to Everything Geraldton:
"Just had our car window smashed at St George's beach"
"Everything was gone through. Money, wallets, handbags, cameras, gone"
A passport was also among the items stolen.
If you know anything the owners asked to be contacted on 0428526555
Geraldton police can be contacted on 9923 4555
Replica Firearm Seized
/Around 9pm on Saturday (3/1/15) Police say they attended an address on Place Rd in Woorree, conducting inquiries into an unlicensed firearm.
There they found a short barrelled firearm wrapped inside a pillowcase and sheet, under a bush near the back patio.
A 23 year old man was arrested and charged with possessing a controlled weapon.
He will face the Geraldton Magistrates Court on Monday 5 Jan 2015.
Police say the replica firearm has been assembled from parts of other firearms.
WA Police have in the past expressed some of the dangers of replica firearms as they can with little effort be modified to fire a live round.
Under section 10 in schedule II of the WEAPONS REGULATIONS 1999, imitation firearms are "Controlled Weapons".
10. Imitation firearm
An article, not being an article that is clearly a toy, that has the appearance of being a firearm but is not capable of discharging a missile.
Male Charged over Breaking into a Vehicle
/At about 11.00am on 26 December 2014, police responded to a suspicious person call in the area of the Webberton Industrial Estate.
On arrival police located a male matching the description given and was spoken to on Place Rd, Webberton.
The male was searched, during which a MacBook Air laptop & Navman GPS system was located amongst other items. This property was subsequently reported and confirmed as being stolen from two vehicles which had been parked on Crawford Street, Webberton.
The 20 year old male from Waggrakine was charged with 2 x stealing and will face Geraldton Magistrates Court on 15 January 2015.
Youths trash house; Arrests made
/Around 11pm on Boxing Day (26/12/14) CCTV showed four male offenders entering a home in Karloo.
They stole alcohol from a fridge, and then used bolt cutters to cut a chain securing two motorbikes.
They stole the motorbikes, which were later found in bushland in Rangeway.
Brazenly, the youths returned with a fifth accomplice the following day (27/12/14). They were observed entering the rear yard where they stole gloves. They then broke into the home by smashing the rear glass sliding door.
All fives of the males entered the home, which was trashed and a bracelet and other items were stolen.
A 14 year old male from Rangeway was charged with
2 x Aggravated Burglary
2 x Steal Motor Vehicle
2 x Stealing.
He appeared before Geraldton Children’s Court on 29 December 2014.
A 13 year old male from Spalding was charged with
2 x Aggravated Burglary
2 x Steal Motor Vehicle
2 x Stealing.
He will appeared before Geraldton Children’s Court on 30 December 2014.
A 14 year old male from Northampton was charged with
1 x Aggravated Burglary
Stealing
He will appeared before Geraldton Children’s Court on 29 December 2014.
Police said inquiries are continuing in relation to this matter by officers of the burglary suppression team.
NY Resolution suggestions from Police
/New Years Resolutions suggestions brought to you by Leeman Police.
16 year old female driver tries to outrun Police and crashes into home
/
It was all hands on deck last night for Geraldton's finest, and the notable Police presence was welcomed by the community.
But Police were still busy this morning after being called to Woolworths car park having receiving numerous reports of a white Commodore driving in a reckless manner.
This was around 7:30 am.
Police say that while en route, they observed a white Commodore sedan on Durlacher Street. They signalled to the driver to stop but she failed to do so, instead accelerating away at speed.
A brief 45 second pursuit followed, but ended abruptly when the vehicle lost control as it attempted to turn into Hermitage St.
The vehicle crashed through a limestone wall and into a house on Durlacher Street.
The impact caused substantial damage to the home.
A 22 year old male passenger who owned the vehicle and a 16 year old rear female passenger both sustained injuries and were taken by ambulance to the Geraldton Regional Hospital.
The female driver who was just 16 was taken to Geraldton Police Station.
It was established the vehicle was involved in a series of offences, which included burnouts in the car park at the front of the Geraldton Police Station and a fuel drive off at a service station in Wonthella.
The 16 year old female driver was charged with:
Fail to stop under circumstance of aggravation
Dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm x 2
No Authority to Drive
and stealing.
Police said that further inquiries are continuing by Mid West Gascoyne Traffic in relation to the series of offences reported overnight.
Video: White Commodore filmed doing burnouts at foreshore approx 4:30am New Year's Day.
Geraldton Police commence Operation Archipelago
/Geraldton Police have announced on Twitter:
"Geraldton Police have commenced Operation Archipelago for NYE. Big police contingent through the mid-west. Welcome the new year safely."
Royal commission finds Christian Brothers knew about abuse and did nothing
/Courtney Bembridge for the ABC
"An inquiry into child sexual abuse at four Christian Brothers institutions in Western Australia has found that the organisation was aware of abuse allegations for decades - and the damage it could cause - but did not stop it."
Tardun was one of the locations where the abuse took place.
Perhaps most shockingly:
"Sixteen brothers were named as perpetrators of sexual abuse, but only four were ever charged and of those, only one was jailed."
Hit and run victim "begged for help" - Witnesses wanted
/A young man was riding his moped Christmas Day in the evening in Geraldton when he was hit by a vehicle.
The 18 year old, Bradley Wood, suffered a broken leg and was flow to Perth via the RFDS.
Bradley's mother, Ms Tania Barras, was reaching out to the community via Facebook to ask the public for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or knows anything to contact Police as soon as possible.
Police have apparently spoken to a man about the incident, but haven't laid charges yet.
The Grandmother of the victim posted this message on Facebook to the person who hit her Grandson:
"To the low life who hit my grandson on his moped last night you should be disgusted with yourself. He begged and begged you to help him but no you got in your car and drove away he even tried to give you his phone so you could call his mum but no you didn't even have the decency to do that, he lay scared on the middle of the road until ambos arrived. I sure hope you never need help or any of your kids. You will be charged over this if its the last thing I ever do.
"To the two men who stayed with my grandson and the nurse who lived across the road I cannot thank you enough for your kindness in making sure he was not alone until his mum and I got there, you are angels , and to all the medics and ambos and police a very big thankyou from my heart you do a wonderful job.
"To my grandson Brad stay strong mate we all love you, it may be a long road to recovery but we will be right along side you you are an awesome young man and you will see this waste of space brought to justice. I love you with all my heart Brad xxx"
Mr Capurso's side of the story: Regarding the story of a 74 year old man charged with interfering with lobster pots
/Everything Geraldton published a media release from the Department of Fisheries earlier in the week. It stated that Mr Capurso was charged with taking crays from other people's pots. His lawyer contacted us and said that Mr Capurso did not take any crays from anyone else's pots. He technically "interfered" with other pots, but this was only to check to see if they were his, and he had some go missing earlier.
According to Mr Capurso's lawyer, it's true he had an extra two crays, he checked his wife's pots while she was not on board, and he technically pulled up some other pots, which according to Mr Capurso was only to see if they were his.
Everything Geraldton incorrectly published the assertion that Mr Capurso had "raided" other people's pots. This was not stated in the press release from Dept of Fisheries, only that the pots had been interfered with.
Below is a release from Mr Capurso's lawyer published in full.
Mr Robert Bogumil and the fisheries Department have severely exaggerated the conduct of Mr Frank Capurso in their media release. They are guilty of highly unfair conduct towards him in order to facilitate the release of their propaganda warnings to the community.
Mr Capurso WAS NOT charged with “raiding other people’s Cray pots” as reported in “Everything Geraldton” on 21 December 2014.
He was charged with INTERFERING with pots. What does not appear in the media release from fisheries and Mr Bogumil was that 2 of the pots belonged to Mr Capurso’s wife and the fact that she was not on board at the time that he pulled those pots resulted in “technical” breach of the regulations. What was also not reported was that Mr Capurso only pulled another 4 pots by pulling two of them half way up and then letting them go and pulling two on board and then throwing them back. He did so to check if they were pots he had lost about 4 weeks before. He reasonably believed that they might be the pots which were missing because the ropes were covered in algae and slime. But by pulling them to check he was technically guilty of interfering with them.
The magistrate accepted that Mr Capurso’s conduct was at the very bottom of the scale for this type of thing and only fined him $500. The maximum he could have fined him for the charge alleged on 25 February 2014 was $25,000. This shows that the court did not treat the charges as being serious. His Honour said that it appeared that Mr Capurso’s “curiosity killed the cat”.
Fisheries and Mr Bogumil also did not say in their “press release” that they asked the magistrate to order forfeiture to the state of Mr Capurso’s boat, outboard motor, trailer and other gear and the magistrate refused to do so in the circumstances of this case and ordered that the equipment be returned to him including a shirt which was on board. The magistrate told the fisheries in court he was “not going to take the shirt off his back either”.
They did not say also that it took from 25 February 2014 to 27 October 2014 to charge him and only because his lawyer wrote to them about the boat and trailer and gear they confiscated at the time.
While everyone agrees that people should respect each other on the water in recreational fishing, this case of Mr Capurso, in the way it was reported, was entirely unsuitable to be used as a vehicle by the fisheries to warn the public about serious offending and complying with the regulations.
The authors of the release showed reckless disregard for and were prepared to sacrifice (for their own ends) the reputation of a 74 year old hard working member of the community and a highly respected family man (at Christmas time) who only retired from bricklaying when he reached 73 years old.
Mr Capurso has the upmost respect for the law and the community and his fellow recreational fishers said his lawyer Mr George Giudice. Mr Giudice said that the false reporting has caused his client and his client’s family much hurt and trouble at Christmas. People deserve to know the truth of the matter and Mr Giudice is hopeful that the publication of the accurate story will put the record straight and stop the abusive phone calls to his client’s home which have resulted from the unfair and deplorable publicity arising from the media releases not only to this forum but to Geraldton ABC radio which kindly published a retraction.
Update on Stabbing at Johnston St Geraldton
/
Geraldton Police say a man received multiple stab wounds in Geraldton.
According to Police an incident occurred some time between 3pm and 6pm on Monday 22 Dec 2014 at 28 Johnston Street.
The victim is a 32 year old man. He has been transported to Perth for further medical treatment.
Local residents were shocked to learn of the stabbing. One local said:
"The bloke dropped out the front of my sisters place with a huge stab wound. He was on a bike across the road and then fell, and then he managed to walk across the road and collapsed out the front, there was blood all over his bike."
Another local resident was unable to enter her home late last night, as Detectives were still carrying out their investigations.
Geraldton Detectives are requesting anyone with any information regarding the incident to please contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police are also advising motorists that Johnston Street remains closed this morning to traffic between Eastern Rd and James St.
Johnston St remains closed following serious incident
/
Police have confirmed that a male person is in hospital with serious injuries, and said investigations into the incident by Geraldton detectives is ongoing with further information to be released shortly.
Police are also advising motorists that Johnston Street remains closed this morning to traffic between Eastern Rd and James St.
Johnston St has been closed since before 8pm last night (23 Dec 2014) while Police conducted investigations.
Elderly lady has bag snatched on Marine Terrace - passer by chases offender
/Geraldton Police would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed a theft that occurred yesterday.
Police say that around 5pm on Sunday 14 December 2014, an elderly female was walking along Marine Terrace in the Geraldton CBD when her purse was stolen.
A passer-by who witnesses the event gave chase and the offender dropped the purse.
The offender is male, early to mid 20's, approx 5"10 and with dark ski. He was wearing a black t shirt and black track pants, with a red baseball cap.
Police are requesting anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 888 000.
Shop owners "not impressed" with tagging
/The street down the west end of Marine Terrace is looking fantastic. Everything Geraldton has been getting heaps of great comments about it.
But some shop owners have also reached out expressing their disappointment with tagging that's been occurring in town.
If you spot anyone defacing the shopfronts please contact Geraldton Police on 9923 4555.
Police investigating alleged sexual assault that occurred Sunday morning near Panaceum
/A 21 year old man from Wandina, a suburb of Geraldton, has been arrested and charged with two counts of sexual penetration without consent following an alleged attack on Sunday morning.
Investigators are seeking information from anyone that observed activity in or near the garden bed outside the Panaceum Medical Centre car park between the hours of 3:30am and 4:30am.
Detectives are particularly interested in identifying two females who were observed on CCTV at this time walking in a northerly direction on Lester Avenue towards Cathedral Avenue, and look in the direction of the incident.
The accused is due to appear in court on December 18.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Geraldton police on 9923 4555 (option 4) or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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