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This afternoon, the main street of Cessnock, located roughly 40 kilometers west of Newcastle, became the focal point of a significant police operation. Tactical units moved in following an incident where a man allegedly threatened to kill and assaulted a woman the previous day.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing several police Bearcat vehicles stationed around an apartment complex close to the intersection of Cooper Street and North Avenue. The heavy police presence drew considerable attention from local residents.
Authorities had initially responded to the complex at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. According to police reports, a man familiar with the woman residing there had forcibly entered the apartment and allegedly brandished a weapon, suspected to be a firearm, while threatening her.
“After allegedly assaulting the woman and making threats on her life, the man departed shortly thereafter,” police detailed in a statement released this evening.
The tense standoff concluded when police apprehended the suspect at the North Avenue unit around 4:30 p.m. This arrest followed a strategic closure of surrounding streets and the establishment of a secure perimeter to ensure public safety.
Heavily armed officers were seen pointing their firearms towards the building before several entered and headed up to the top floor.
The 34-year-old was charged with contravene an AVO, using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend, entering a dwelling with intent whilst armed with a dangerous weapon and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV).
He was refused bail to face Bail Division – Court 2 tomorrow.
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