A bus driver completing a route returned to the Brookvale Depot and found a Samurai sword on his bus last week, 30 November. The Sword was left behind in a black sheath. Police were called, and they attended the Depot to collect the sword. The base of the blade was engraved with Asian characters and the handle trimmed with black and white chord.
Unless the person who carried the Sword on the bus had a reasonable excuse, the offence for this incident is Custody of knife in a public place Section 11C Summary Offences Act 1988. It carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.
Police are appealing for any information about the Samurai sword.
Elsewhere on the beat this week:
Car stolen during break and enter at Allambie Heights and pursued in Campbelltown
In the early hours of 30 November 2024, unknown offenders broke into an Allambie Heights home where they stole the keys to a VW Golf that was parked under a carport. The victim was home asleep. He reported the theft to police who created a stolen car alert for the Golf.
About 8:40pm on 30 November 2024, a Cumberland Highway Patrol car saw the Golf on the Hume Motorway, Campbelltown with three people on board.
The Golf travelled at excessive speeds on the highway overtaking other cars and drew the attention of the highway patrol officer, who confirmed the car was stolen. Police tried to stop the Golf, but the driver ignored the warning devices and engaged in a pursuit reaching speeds of 170km/h in a 110km/h zone.
The Golf continued near the Narellan Road offramp where police deployed tyre deflation devices, but the car kept going until front wheel damage caused the driver to stop on a grass verge. The Golf was surrounded by police and the 16-year-old male driver was arrested with the keys to the Golf in his possession. He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station where he was charged with offences including Police pursuit, Not stop at line at red light, Drive conveyance taken without the consent of owner and Never licensed person drive vehicle on road. He was granted bail to appear at Campbelltown Children’s Court on 16 December 2024.
The male passengers aged 18, 16 and 15 were all charged with Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. Inquiries are continuing to identify who broke into the Allambie Heights home.
Diverted mail a warning sign of scammers
On 26 November 2024, a Beacon Hill woman received a letter notifying her that Australia Post was processing an application to redirect her mail to a new address. This was news to the woman who immediately reported it to police. Thankfully, no mail was redirected.
Redirecting mail is a sure sign of the early stages of identify fraud scammers.
Police advised the woman to register with www.IDCARE.ORG, a free support agency that helps people who might be the victim of identify fraud.
Sexual extortion/blackmail
On 30 November 2024, a teenage boy reported online engagement with someone he thought was a young female. They exchanged intimate images and once the imposter received an intimate image, they demanded money and threatened to release images to friends and family. The boy did exactly what the eSafety Commissioner advises in these circumstances. He stopped all contact, did not pay and told someone he trusted, his parents.
This form of blackmail scam often originates overseas and, unfortunately, offenders are seldom caught. No money was lost on this occasion, and this incident is a reminder that a person loses control of a photo once it is shared online. Refer to the esafety.gov.au website under Deal with sexual sextortion for more advice on this crime type.
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.
