News

Boy knocked out as thief fled from store

A BOY was knocked unconscious by an alleged thief who was being chased by staff and shoppers at a Lidcombe shopping centre.

Police allege that on Sunday, about 2.40pm, a 30-year-old man went to the centre to buy a mobile phone but when the store attendant was unable to process the purchase due to the transaction being declined, the man ran from the store with the phone.
The store attendant, assisted by members of the public, chased after the man and detained him for a short time, before he broke free and ran off through the centre, colliding with a five-year-old boy and causing him to lose consciousness for a short time.
The man was again detained by bystanders until police arrived.
The boy was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital in a stable condition with minor head injuries.
After being taken to hospital for treatment for injuries, the man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stealing, dishonestly obtain property by deception and two counts of goods in custody.

Illegal protest charge
POLICE have charged a man from Merrylands who allegedly organised two unauthorised protests that did not comply with Public Health Orders.
The 36-year-old man was arrested by police investigating to unauthorised protests in Parramatta on January 16 and 23.
He was charged with two counts of fail to comply requirement Public Health Order – Covid-19.

Armed gang bashing
A MAN was sitting out the front of his house in Victoria Street, Granville, when he was attacked by up to five men, all wearing masks and armed with bats and sticks, last Wednesday night.
The men attacked the 36-year-old about 11.40pm and when he retreated inside, they followed him and continued the assault. The men were last seen running west on Victoria Street.
The man was treated at the scene for a laceration to the head before taken hospital in a stable condition.
Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Arrest 14 for stabbing
FIVE men and nine juveniles, including an 18-year-old from Guildford, have been charged after a man was allegedly stabbed on a train last Tuesday afternoon.
Police were told two 18-year-old men were involved in an altercation with a large group of males on a city-bound train between Flemington and Strathfield, before one of them suffered a stab wound to his thigh and his shoulder.
Two of the 18-year-olds were taken to hospital, where one was treated for facial injuries while the other was in a serious condition.
A 17-year-old Marsden Park boy was charged with reckless wounding in company, wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, reckless grievous bodily harm in company and two counts of affray; five 18-year-old men and eight juveniles – aged 15, three aged 16 and four aged 17 – were charged with two counts of affray; and a 16-year-old youth from Willmot, was also charged with custody of knife in a public place.

School zones are back
DRIVERS are being urged to take extra care and slow down with school zones back in force.
Minister for Transport and Roads, Andrew Constance, said with students returning to the classroom after a disruptive 12 months, “we really need everyone to be extra vigilant”.
“Drivers need to remember school zones are now active. We all need to slow down and stick to that reduced speed limit,” he said.
“It’s also really important to remember the rules apply around school buses.
“When you see those flashing lights on the back of the bus, remember to keep an eye out for children.
“By law it’s a requirement to drop down to the 40 kilometre an hour speed limit.”