Police have charged three people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 15 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:
- Just before 3.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 29 April 2020), police stopped a Honda CRV on Valentine Avenue, Parramatta, for the purpose of a random breath test. Police will allege the driver gave a false name, before officers located the man’s wallet which identified him. The 21-year-old man was discovered to be a disqualified driver from Newcastle. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police located and seized a large bag containing cannabis. He was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with multiple offences, including not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19, drive whilst disqualified, and supply prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 15 July 2020.
- About 8.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 29 April 2020), officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command were conducting patrols in Pyrmont when they spoke with a 45-year-old man, who was unable to provide officers with a reasonable excuse for why he was there. Checks revealed the man had previously been warned for breaching the Ministerial Directions. During a subsequent search, police located and seized an amount of methylamphetamine and a knife. He was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug, custody of knife in public place, goods in custody suspected of being stolen, and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 30 April 2020).
The third person charged has been addressed in a separate media release.
Yesterday’s PINs include:
- About 1.30pm, officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command were patrolling Roslyn Street, Kings Cross, when a member of the public advised them about a physical altercation nearby. Police approached a man and a woman who were involved in verbal argument and it’s alleged they could not provide a reasonable excuse for being away from home. The 36-year-old man had previously been issued a warning and was issued a $1000 PIN. The woman was issued with a warning.
- About 12.45pm, officers from Central West Police District spoke to a 32-year-old man at Lake Cargelligo about the current Ministerial Directions. About 4pm the same day, police noticed the same man walking in Lake Cargelligo and had failed to return home as directed. Checks revealed the Murrin Bridge man had previously been given warnings for non-essential travel three times earlier in the month. He was issued a $1000 PIN.
- About 2.45am, officers from Central North Police District attempted to stop a vehicle on Mission Road, Walgett, however when it failed to stop a pursuit commenced. It was terminated and a short time later, two men – both aged 28 – were arrested nearby. The men told police they had been at a friend’s house drinking alcohol and were unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from home and were each issued a $1000 PIN. Investigations into the pursuit are ongoing.
- About 2.45pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command noticed a man sitting at the bottom of an escalator in Pitt Street, Sydney, that was cordoned off to the public. The 46-year-old man was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being in the area and checks revealed he had been issued with a warning on Sunday 19 April 2020. He was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
/Public Release. View in full here.
