Welcome to The Daily Telegraph’s The Incident Room – Police Briefing.
Your quick wrap of the major police, crime and emergency services stories from the past 24 hours and overnight, so you can start the day up to speed.
No jargon, just the facts.
Taree
An investigation is underway after hundreds of thousands of juvenile oysters worth an estimated $350,000 were allegedly stolen from an oyster farm near Taree.
Police were alerted about 11am on Tuesday after officers received a report of a theft at an oyster farm at Scotts Creek, Oxley Island.
Police were told about 320 aquaculture oyster bags containing approximately 400,000 juvenile oysters were allegedly stolen from the property earlier this year.
The stolen oysters have an estimated total value of about $350,000.
A crime scene has been established as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft.
Investigators are appealing for anyone with information about the incident, including CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact Manning/Great Lakes Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Sydney Harbour Tunnel
The Sydney Harbour Tunnel has reopened in both directions after a car fire caused major delays during the morning peak.
Fire and Rescue NSW received a Triple-0 call just after 8am on Wednesday after a car caught fire in the tunnel’s southbound lanes.
The tunnel’s automatic sprinkler system was activated and three fire trucks were sent to the scene.
The fire has since been extinguished and the vehicle has been towed from the tunnel.
One person was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital as a precaution.
Both northbound and southbound lanes have now reopened, however motorists are being warned of significant residual congestion across the network.
The Gore Hill Freeway was backed up past Artarmon, while traffic was also building on the M1 and approaches to the tunnel.
Authorities have urged motorists to allow extra travel time and avoid the area where possible.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Baulkham Hills
A man is due to face court after being charged over an alleged home invasion in Sydney’s northwest earlier this month.
Police were called to a home on Sarah Crescent in Baulkham Hills shortly before 1.30am on August 3 after two men allegedly forced their way inside.
The men were allegedly armed with an electronic stun device and a metal pole and threatened residents while demanding cash.
The occupants were left distressed but were not physically injured.
Detectives established Strike Force Lanrik and began investigating the incident.
Following inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a unit on Brighton Boulevard in North Bondi just after 5.30am on Tuesday.
A 32-year-old man was arrested and taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where he was charged with special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – weapon.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in Bail Division Court 6 on Wednesday.
Investigations are continuing.
Lane Cove North
A man has been taken to hospital after a car fire broke out at a unit block in Sydney’s north.
Emergency services were called to the Lane Cove North property after reports a car had exploded in a garage.
About 50 people were evacuated from the building as emergency crews responded to the incident.
A man was taken to hospital for treatment.
The circumstances surrounding the fire, including what caused the vehicle to ignite, remain under investigation.