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12 charged during three-day operation - Operation Soteria

Thursday, 17 April 2025 12:35:44 PM

Twelve people have been charged during a three-day blitz under Operation Soteria, which was established to target youth crime in the western and northern regional areas of the state.

From Monday 14 April 2025 to Wednesday 16 April 2025, officers attached to New England Police District, as well as Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Youth Command, and Western Region Domestic Violence High Risk Team, were deployed to Armidale for the three-day operation.

During the operation, twelve people were charged with a total of 40 offences.

Incidents of note:

  • About 3.45pm on Tuesday 15 April 2025, police attempted to stop a sedan on Hitchcocks Lane, Armidale, and when it failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns. Police allegedly observed the sedan travelling at speed, and collide with a trailer being towed by an SUV. A foot pursuit ensued as the driver ran from the scene before hitting a power pole. The 22-year-old was arrested and taken to Armidale Police Station where he was charged with learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester, police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously and not give particulars to other driver. He was refused bail to appear before Tamworth Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 16 April 2025).

  • On Monday (14 April 2025), a 19-year-old man was arrested by virtue of two outstanding warrants relating to alleged assault and domestic violence offences. He was taken to Armidale Police Station where he was refused bail to appear at Armidale Local Court today the same day.

  • On Wednesday (16 April 2025), a 34-year-old man was arrested by virtue of three outstanding warrants for alleged assault and child abuse offences. He was taken to Armidale Police Station where he was refused bail to appear at Glenn Innes Local Court today (Thursday 17 April 2025).

  • About 9.10pm yesterday (Thursday 16 April 2025), a 25-year-old man was arrested by virtue of two outstanding warrants for alleged assault and drug offences. He was taken to Armidale Police Station where he was refused bail to Armidale Local Court today (Thursday 17 April 2025).