Two people have been arrested and another remains outstanding following a police operation in Kotara this morning.
About 3.50am today (Wednesday 3 March 2021), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to a home on Park Avenue, Kotara, following reports a 24-year-old woman had been held against her will.
Police have been told two women – aged 24 and 30 – and two men – aged 29 and 36 – were inside the home before the younger woman managed to escape and contact police.
The two men and woman then threatened an 88-year-old male resident, who was asleep at the time.
A perimeter was established, and specialist units were deployed to assist in the operation – including police negotiators and the dog unit.
The 88-year-old man was able to leave the home and was taken into police care about 5.50am; he was uninjured.
A 36-year-old man fled the home on foot a short time later, before he was arrested near Howell Street.
He was taken to Waratah Police Station.
A 30-year-old woman was also arrested at the property a short time later.
She was taken to Newcastle Police Station.
Both the man and woman are assisting police with their inquiries.
A 29-year-old man escaped the home and remains outstanding; officers attached to Newcastle City PD, Northern Region Operational Support Group (Op Utah) and other police resources are conducting extensive inquiries to locate the man.
An investigation into the circumstances leading up to and during the incident is now underway, including allegations the younger woman had been held against her will in the days prior to today's incident.
Anyone with any information with may assist investigators is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Inquiries are continuing.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
