The North Shore Police Area Command has released its January 2026 North Shore media crime wrap-up, and its makes for interesting reading. Who would have thought that officers responding to a report about illegal gel blaster rifles would find a clandestine drug laboratory and a freshwater crocodile?
North Shore Police Area Command officers were called to a property on Hawthorne Avenue, Chatswood, at 7 pm on 3 January 2026. Police will allege they found four gel blaster rifles at the premises.
A further search of the property allegedly located a clandestine laboratory in the garage. As a result, the police obtained a crime-scene warrant. While executing this warrant, police allegedly located an additional black Glock-style pistol gel blaster, which was then seized.
In the backyard, police will also allege they found a juvenile freshwater crocodile.
A 44-year-old Chatswood man was arrested and taken to Chatswood Police Station.
Police will also allege the Chatswood man did not have the appropriate licences to house a protected native animal.
The NSW Native Animal Keepers’ Species List contains the names of all native animals that may be kept under licence. The list specifically notes that some “animals are not suitable to be held under a Native Animal Keeper Licence, including all species of Crocodylidae (crocodiles)”
The police relocated the crocodile.
The man was charged with four offences, including:
- Possess unauthorised firearm
- Acquire firearm part without authority to do so
- Deal in or attempt to deal in protected animal
The Chatswood man was given strict conditional bail and is due to appear before Hornsby Local Court on the 3rd of February 2026.
Investigations are ongoing into the clandestine laboratory, and further charges are likely.
North Shore Police Area Command reminds the public that it is illegal to own or possess a gel blaster in NSW without a valid firearms licence or permit.
In other news…
Armed robbery – Chatswood – 5/1/2025
A 15-year-old girl from Chatswood has been charged with serious offences following an incident in the area.
At 4:40 pm on 5 January 2026, police were called to the Chatswood interchange after reports of two females fighting.
Upon arrival, police spoke with witnesses who informed them that a girl had allegedly demanded the bag of a 14-year-old Northbridge girl who refused. As a result, the girl allegedly produced a knife and slashed the victim on the arm before fleeing the scene.
The 14-year-old Northbridge girl was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital for treatment.
At 8:00 pm the same day, while conducting high visibility patrols of Chatswood Interchange, police allegedly located the 15-year-old Chatswood girl. She was arrested and conveyed back to Chatswood Police Station.
At Chatswood Police Station, the 15-year-old Chatswood girl was charged with “assault with intent to rob armed with an offensive weapon”.
The 15-year-old Chatswood girl is due to face Surry Hills Children’s Court on 10 March 2026.
Robbery – St Leonards – 17/1/2026
Two 15-year-old girls, one from Willoughby and the other from Sefton have been charged after an alleged robbery in St Leonards.
At 6:30pm on 17 January 2026, two 15-year-old girls allegedly approached a 14-year-old Roseville girl and demanded her handbag. The Roseville girl refused, and the two 15-year-old girls allegedly physically attacked the 14-year-old, knocking her to the ground before forcefully taking her handbag and fleeing.
Police attended and spoke with the Roseville girl who suffered minor injuries. Police were able to find the 15-year-olds girls in Chatswood where they were arrested a short time later.
During a subsequent search of the Willoughby girl, police will allege they located a small amount of cannabis in her possession. Both the Sefton girl and Willoughby girl were taken to Chatswood Police Station.
At Chatswood police station the Sefton girl was charged with “Robbery in company”. The Willoughby girl was charged with “Robbery in company” and “Possess prohibited drug”.
Both girls were given strict conditional bail and are due to appear before Surry Hills Children’s court on 3 February 2026.
E89586453 – possess stolen goods – 17/1/2026
Police have dealt with a 17-year-old Chatswood boy under the Young Offenders Act after allegedly locating stolen property in his possession.
At 3:00pm on Saturday 17 January 2026 police were conducting high visibility patrols in the Chatswood Central Business District.
Police will allege they observed the 17-year-old Chatswood boy smoking a lit cigarette and as a result had cause to speak with him.
Checks on the boy revealed that he was wanted for unrelated matters. The Chatswood boy was arrested and during a subsequent search police will allege they located seven pieces of clothing with security tags in his possession. Police allege the clothing was stolen. The Chatswood boy was taken to Chatswood Police Station.
At Chatswood Police Station the boy was charged for his outstanding offences and dealt with under the Young Offenders Act for the offence of “Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen”.
Break and enter house, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, Trespass – Chatswood– 17/1/2026
A 23-year-old Artarmon male has been arrested and charged with numerous offences after allegedly being caught leaving a retail store he had just broken into.
At 4:13am on Saturday 17 January 2026 police received reports that a male had broken into a luxury jewellery store in Victoria Avenue, Chatswood.
Upon arrival police will allege that they located the Artarmon male crawling out from under the front roller door of a nearby store. The male was arrested and during a subsequent search of the male police allegedly located a large amount of cash and numerous gift cards which police will allege in court were stolen.
The Artarmon male was taken to Chatswood police station where he was charged with “break and enter house etc steal value <= $60000” x 2, “Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen”, and “Enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse”.
The Artarmon man was refused bail and was due before Hornsby Local Court on 28 January 2026.
Breach of bail, drive while suspended – Neutral Bay – 18/1/2026
A 19-year-old Baulkham Hills man has been charged with multiple offences.
At 4:50am on 18 January 2026 police were conducting proactive patrols of Neutral Bay when they will allege in court that they saw a silver BMW driving at speed in heavy rain.
Police stopped the vehicle on Clarke Street Neutral Bay. Police spoke with the 19-year-old Baulkham hills man who was driving the vehicle.
Police will allege that the Baulkham hills man could not produce his driver’s licence when requested. Police enquiries revealed that the Baulkham Hills man’s driving licence was suspended until November 2026, and he was subject to strict bail conditions including an overnight curfew.
The Baulkham Hills man was arrested and taken to Chatswood police station where he was charged with “Drive motor vehicle while licence suspended” and “breach of bail”.
The Baulkham Hills man is due before Manly Local Court on the 24 February 2026.
Firearms offence – Mosman – 20/01/2026
Police have dealt with a 15-year-old Mosman boy under the Young Offenders Act after police allegedly found him in possession of an AK-47 replica gel blaster.
About 7:00pm on 20 January 2026 police received reports of a boy on Carrington Avenue, Mosman riding an E-Bike while allegedly holding a firearm.
Attending police were able to obtain footage of the boy riding the E-Bike and holding the alleged firearm. Police were able to identify the boy and subsequently went to his home in Mosman. Police allege that the boy was still in possession of the firearm which turned out to be an AK- 47 replica gel blaster, which was seized by police.
The Mosman boy was dealt with under the Young Offenders Act for the offence of “Possess unauthorised firearm”.
Breach of bail – Northbridge – 25/1/2026
A 16-year-old Hinchinbrook male and 18-year-old Glenfield male have been arrested and charged after members of the public saw them acting suspiciously around the Northbridge area.
About 2:40am on Sunday 25 January2026, police received several reports of three male youths acting suspiciously on Dorset Road, Northbridge. The reports included that the males were looking into vehicles and wearing balaclavas.
A large amount of police resources attended the Northbridge area immediately including officers from North Shore Proactive Crime Team, North Shore General Duties, Highway Patrol officers and Officers from the Dog Squad.
A short time later police stopped a rideshare vehicle on Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge which contained three young persons including the 16-year-old Hinchinbrook male and the 18-year-old Glenfield male. The three males were spoken to by police and subsequently searched. Checks revealed that the 16-year-old and 18-year-old were subject to strict bail conditions and were in breach of these conditions.
They were arrested and conveyed to Chatswood Police Station. A third 15-year-old boy from Bow Bowing was also taken to Chatswood Police Station where he was later collected by his Next of Kin.
The Hinchinbrook male was charged with breaching his bail.
The Glenfield male was charged with “contravene non-association, place restriction order” and is due to appear before Hornsby Local Court on 11 March 2026.
Licence expired – Mosman – 26/01/2026
A 20-year-old Mosman man has been issued an infringement notice after police allegedly observed him using his car horn inappropriately.
At 1:10 pm on 26 January 2026, police will allege they saw a white Volvo on Bradleys Head Road, Mosma,n where the driver was using the car horn inappropriately. Police stopped the vehicle and spoke with the 20-year-old Mosman man. Police will allege the man could not produce his driver’s licence when requested. Police enquiries revealed that the Mosman man’s driving licence had expired.
The Mosman man was issued a $704 infringement notice for “licence expired within the last 2 years – first offence”. He was issued a verbal warning in relation to the use of his horn.
Why Local News Matters
In the Cove delivers independent Lane Cove news every day — 100% free, with no paywall.
We write for the community, from within the community.
We are a proud member of LINA – the Local & Independent News Association, which supports small, independent publishers who serve their communities with reliable, accountable, local journalism.
Why local news matters:
Local news strengthens community connection, keeps residents informed, spotlight issues that bigger outlets overlook, and holds local decision-makers accountable. When local news disappears, communities lose transparency, trust and shared understanding. Your support ensures Lane Cove continues to have a strong, independent voice.
Independent reporting takes time, resources and a huge commitment to our community. Every contribution helps us continue covering the stories no one else does.
Support Independent Community News
Shout ITC a Coffee (one-off): buymeacoffee.com/inthecove
Contribute Any Amount: inthecove.presspatron.com
Advertise with Us: inthecove.com.au/advertise
