Man detained in vehicle; three charged at Wallsend

Raptor North officers have charged three people after a man was allegedly detained and threatened in Newcastle last month.

About 1am on Thursday 16 February 2023, a 31-year-old man arrived at the carpark of a fast food restaurant on Cowper Street, Wallsend, and met with a 29-year-old man known to him.

A short time later, another man entered his vehicle and allegedly threatened the older man with a knife.

He demanded cash before the 31-year-old man was able to escape the vehicle.

The armed man then left the car and drove from the scene in a separate vehicle.

The older man returned to his vehicle and later reported the incident to Newcastle City Police District, with the matter being referred to officers from the State Crime Command’s Raptor North.

Following extensive inquiries, Raptor North police arrested a 32-year-old man on the Esplanade, Speers Point, about 1.40pm yesterday.

Police then executed three search warrants at homes in Speers Point, Adamstown, and Macquarie Hills, from 2pm yesterday (Thursday 9 March 2023), where they seized about $25,000 cash, steroids, mobile phones, knuckle dusters, and suspected fraudulent documents.

A 29-year-old man was arrested at Macquarie Hills and a 34-year-old woman was arrested at Adamstown.

All three were taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and deal with the proceeds of crime.

They were all refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court later today (Friday 10 March 2023).

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