Two people have been charged and 14 issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) in seven separate incidents across NSW over the weekend.
Officers from Police Transport Command were patrolling in Surry Hills when they stopped a vehicle on Elizabeth Street about 8.40pm on Friday (28 August 2020).
Police spoke with the driver and sole occupant, a 47-year-old man, who indicated he had a learner’s permit, and after checks revealed the man had an outstanding warrant and his licence was disqualified, he was arrested.
Officers also established that the man had been at the home of a woman with whom he had an AVO, and it was her car he was driving.
Further inquiries also revealed the man had been given a direction to self-isolate after being identified as a close contact with a known case of COVID-19.
The man was taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
He has been formally refused bail and is due to re-appear at Central Local Court on Wednesday (2 September 2020).
In a separate incident, security at BankWest Stadium, Parramatta, requested police to assist with the removal of a man during the A-League Grand Final last night (Sunday 30 August 2020).
The 24-year-old man allegedly became argumentative and once outside the stadium, officers from North West Metropolitan Region issued him with a move-on direction.
Police will allege in court that the man started to walk away but turned around and spat at one of the officers.
He was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station, where he was charged with common assault, not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19, and assault police officer in execution of duty.
The Bronte man was banned from the stadium and is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 14 October 2020.
About 10.25pm on Saturday 22 August 2020, officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District attended a licensed premises in Mudgee, to conduct a COVID-19 compliance check. Police will allege that a number of patrons were not maintaining social distancing. Following further inquiries, the venue was issued with a $5000 fine on Friday (28 August 2020), for failing to comply with requirements of a Public Health Order – COVID-19.
On Wednesday (26 August 2020), officers from Auburn Police Area Command received information a 26-year-old man had breached a direction to self-isolate. Police spoke with the man at his Lidcombe home, who provided documentation that he was not required to self-isolate after Tuesday 25 August 2020, but it was established that he had attended a hotel on Sussex Street, Sydney, on Monday (24 August 2020), to work a shift as a security guard on the hotel quarantine operation, but was sent home by his supervisor. Following further inquiries, police issued the man with a $1000 PIN on Friday. He has since been stood down from working on the hotel quarantine operation.
About 12.40pm on Friday, police attended Fisher Avenue at Camperdown in relation to an unauthorised protest, which was in breach of the Public Health Order. Officers from Inner West Police Area Command, along with neighbouring commands and specialist units, attended to monitor the group. Approximately 150 people had gathered for the protest, in breach of COVID-19 restrictions. The group was issued a move-on direction; however, 10 people failed to comply and were subsequently issued $1000 PINs for ‘fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9-COVID-19.
Officers from Lake Illawarra Police District attended a restaurant at Shellharbour on Friday and issued the 29-year-old male licensee with a $1000 PIN after receiving prior warnings for not having effectively implemented a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
About 10.45pm on Friday (28 August 2020), officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were patrolling at Gol Gol, when they stopped a Holden ute with an unsecured load on the Sturt Highway. After speaking with the occupants – a 26-year-old man from Mildura, Victoria, and 27-year-old Euston man – it was established that both men were in breach of their permits to enter/re-enter NSW for work. The younger man was escorted back into Victoria, while the older man was directed to self-isolate at his home. About two hours later (12.45am on Saturday 29 August 2020), police attached to Operation Border Closure stopped the 26-year-old man at a checkpoint on the Sturt Highway, Buronga, as he again attempted to cross the border into NSW. He was issued a $1000 PIN and immediately returned to Victoria.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: Information is treated in strict confidence.
