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Police have charged six people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 31 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.

Yesterday’s charges:

• Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling the CBD just before 2am (Sunday 19 April 2020), when they approached a woman on the corner of Goulburn and Cunningham Streets, who had price tags visible on her clothing. During a search of the woman, police located an array of clothing with price tags on them, suspected to be stolen. Checks revealed the woman had multiple warnings and a recent fine for breaching Ministerial Directions under the Public Health Act. She was subsequently charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and appeared in court yesterday, where she was convicted and given a $220 fine.

• About 2.15am police from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command spoke to a 22-year-old man on Luxford Road, Mt Druitt, who was walking with two other males. It was ascertained the man had been issued with two prior PINS for breaching the Public Health Act. The man was informed he would be issued with another PIN and instructed to walk directly to the Mt Druitt Railway Station and return home. The man was arrested after he ignored the direction. He was charged with not comply with noticed direction and granted conditional bail, due to appear in Mount Druitt Local Court on 13 May 2020.

• About 9am (Sunday 19 April 2020), a 50-year-old man attended Westfield Warringah Mall – allegedly in breach of a banning notice – and became aggressive with security officers before leaving. About 11.40am, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command located the man on Howard Avenue, Dee Why, seated on a bench drinking a beer. When asked about a jacket in his possession, the man stated it was stolen from the donation bins. The man was subsequently charged with breaching the Public Health Act, enter enclosed lands, larceny and goods in custody. He’s been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Monday 20 April 2020).

• About 1.15pm police from the Sutherland Shire Police Area Command attended a multi-story carpark in Croyden Street, Cronulla, responding to reports of a man who appeared to be unconscious in his car. As police approached the 50-year-old man he became aggressive. Police asked the man to participate in random breath test and he allegedly grabbed the officer’s arm and attempted to spit in his face. The man was removed from the car where it is further alleged he attempted to bite police. He was taken to Sutherland Police Station and charged with assault police and not comply with noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19. He was refused bail and is expected to appear via AVL in Parramatta Local Court today (Monday 20 April 2020).

• At 2.20pm police attached to the Mid North Police Area Command attended a service station on Smith Street, Kempsey following a theft. The 27-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Kempsey Police Station. The woman informed police that she had recently been tested for Covid-19 and was informed to self-isolate until she received results. She was charged with three counts of shoplifting, larceny, dishonestly obtain financial advantage, breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction. She was refused bail and will appear in Kempsey Local Court via AVL today (Monday 20 April 2020).

• About 4.10am yesterday (Sunday 19 April 2020), officers from Kuring Gai Police Area Command were patrolling the St Ives area, when they came across a group of youths congregating on Bedford Avenue. One of the boys, aged 16, was allegedly in breach of his bail conditions. The youths then ran from police before the 16-year-old boy was arrested. He was taken to Hornsby Police Station, where he was charged with breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear a Children’s Court on Tuesday 16 June 2020.

Yesterday’s PINs include:

• About 9.30am yesterday (Sunday 19 April 2020), officers from Burwood Police Area Command were called to a unit complex in Swan Avenue, Strathfield, over a noise complaint. On arrival, officers located six men allegedly having a social gathering. All six men – aged 21, 26, 26, 27, 27 and 31 – were issued PINs.

• Just before 1pm yesterday, officers from Central North Police District were patrolling the Kamilaroi Highway, when they stopped a vehicle at Brewarrina. Officers spoke with the driver, a 41-year-old woman, who could not provide a reasonable excuse for not being at home and allegedly had camping equipment. She was issued infringement notices for defected tyres, not obey police direction, exceed speed more than 20km/h, and fail to comply with notice direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID19.

• Officers from Murray River Police District were patrolling the West Albury area, when they came across a car parked in Kremur Street just after midnight yesterday. Inside the vehicle, officers located four men, aged 18, 20, 21 and 21, who were allegedly drinking alcohol and not following social distancing regulations. All four men were issued PINs.

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.