About 2:45am on 24 November 2024 police were patrolling at Collaroy when they saw a white Kia sedan that drew their attention due to the manner of driving. Police attempted to stop the vehicle and activated their lights and siren. The driver sped away and engaged police in a pursuit through to Lynwood Avenue, Dee Why where the driver and passenger leapt out of the car and ran off leaving the engine running.
Police located and arrested the 16 year old male passenger behind a hedge. A perimeter was established and the Dog Squad was called to the scene. The police dog located the 16 year old male driver hiding in a nearby yard. Both teenagers were taken to Manly Police Station where inquiries revealed the car was recently stolen from Collaroy.
The driver was charged with one count of Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, one count of Drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, and one count of Never licensed person drive vehicle on road. He was initially refused bail by police and appeared at court the following day and granted conditional bail to appear at Surry Hills Children’s Court on 13 January 2025.
The passenger will be officially cautioned for the offence Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner in accordance with the provisions of the Young Offenders Act 1997.
Elsewhere on the beat this week:
Obscene exposure during court
On 28 November 2024, a 36 year old Northern Beaches man appeared in Manly Local Court via ‘audio video link’ (AVL) from Parklea Goal. The outstanding court matters were shown on viewing screens in the Court Room. The man was frustrated by the Court’s decisions and was muted after making inappropriate comments.
While on mute the man stood up, pulled down his pants and exposed his penis to the Court. The incident was witnessed by the Police Prosecutor and Court Sherriff.
The man was charged with one count of Wilful and obscene exposure in a public place and he remains in custody.
He is expected to appear at Manly Local Court again on 4 December 2024.
Facebook Marketplace listing leads to stolen motorcycle
About 10pm on 28 November 2024 residents returned to their Collaroy home and found their garage door wide open. They soon realised that thieves broke in and stole their property including a mountain bike and KTM 450cc off road motorcycle that was valued about $2,000. The KTM was recently advertised for sale on facebook Marketplace however no one had been to the home to see the motorcycle and the address was not published on Marketplace.
Police are aware that cunning thieves do zoom in on photos of advertised material and use features, particularly outdoor photos, to search online and identify an address.
This is an opportune time to remind advertisers on Marketplace or similar outlets to be conscious of the background when taking photos of things for sale.
Disaster averted during lithium battery fire
About 10am on 22 November 2024 a man charged a lithium battery to use on a pressure washer at his Narrabeen apartment. The charger he used had a higher output and it turned out it was for another device.
The lithium battery was on the floor in his living room and overheated due to the incorrect charger voltage causing it to catch fire and explode. The man saw the battery on fire and kicked it out the open door to his balcony. The battery continued to explode and the man was able to dump the battery in a bucket of water.
NSW Fire and Rescue attended and made sure the battery fire was out. They used fans to clear the smoke from the living room. The premises was not damaged due to the quick actions of the resident.
The NSW Fire and Rescue are on record stating lithium-ion batteries are the fastest growing fire risk in New South Wales. Safety tips on their website include:
- Make sure a working smoke alarm or heat alarm is installed in areas where devices or batteries are charged or stored.
- Avoid leaving batteries or devices unattended while being charged or charging overnight.
- Once the indicator shows that a device or battery has been fully charged, disconnect it from the charger.
House fire at Seaforth
About 1am on 25 November 2024 emergency services responded to calls of a house on fire at Seaforth. An alert neighbour called 000 and NSW Fire and Rescue, Ambulance and Police were all activated due to the belief a resident was trapped inside the garage that was well alight.
Neighbouring houses were evacuated and the firefighters extinguished the fire about 45 minutes later. Emergency services confirmed no one was in the garage.
Two elderly residents of the main home were taken to Northern Beaches Hospital for smoke inhalation. NSW Fire Investigators and NSW Police Crime Scene Officers examined the scene and determined the fire was not suspicious and possibly triggered by an electrical fault.
Thankfully no one was seriously injured and this incident serves as a reminder to install smoke detectors at home.
Crime Watch Northern Beaches is a weekly wrap up of local crimes and incidents from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command. If you saw or can help with any of the below incidents, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or here. All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. You can also contact Dee Why Police Station 9971 3399.
Following from last year’s inaugural Northern Beaches Walk Against Violence local community, council and government members, the Police and students are invited to wear orange and march from Queenscliff to Shelly Beach to acknowledge those killed or affected by domestic and family violence.
The walk is part of the United Nations 16 Days of Activism.
A brief ceremony at Queenscliff lagoon (adjacent to the playground) will be held, then everyone will walk along the beachfront to Shelly Beach.
Everyone in the community is invited to attend, to support those with experience of domestic and family violence and to educate the community.
Please join us. The walk is at no cost but please register (here) to assist in the day’s organisation.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can contact the 24 hour crisis line: 1800 65 64 63
