Riverina man arrested in statewide police operation targeting domestic violence

A Riverina man with a learner’s licence was charged with assaulting a police officer during a statewide operation last week. Photo: NSW Police.

A Riverina teen was among 600 people arrested across the state during a four-day police operation targeting domestic and family violence.

During Operation Amarok III, police laid more than 1000 charges and seized over 20 firearms and 40 prohibited weapons during their search of people, properties and vehicles between Wednesday (12 July) and Saturday (15 July).

Operation Amarok III, an intelligence-based policing strategy led by each region’s Domestic Violence High-Risk Offender Teams (DVHROT), involved officers from all police area commands and police districts in NSW, as well as various proactive and specialist units.

Just before midday last Wednesday (12 July), officers attached to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were conducting patrols in Wagga Wagga as part of Operation Amarok.

During the patrol, police saw a wanted man driving a vehicle with unauthorised registration plates. When the driver allegedly failed to stop as directed on Olympic Highway, a police pursuit followed, travelling through Ashmont, Glenfield Park, Mount Austin and Tolland before the vehicle stopped in Parkhurst Street, Tolland, and the driver fled on foot.

Police allege that 18-year-old Riley Haisell spat during the arrest, and that they found a large knife in the car.

The Yerong Creek man fronted Wagga Wagga Local Court the next day charged with multiple offences including not stopping during a police pursuit, driving dangerously, driving recklessly, speeding in a dangerous manner, being a learner driver unaccompanied by a driver/police officer/tester, not displaying ‘‘L’’ plates, using a class-A vehicle with an unauthorised number plate affixed, using an unregistered class-A motor vehicle on the road, using an uninsured motor vehicle on the road, having custody of a knife in a public place and assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty.

Police arrested the 18-year-old driver following an alleged foot pursuit. He was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with multiple offences. Photo: Traffic and Highway Patrol Command – NSW Police Force.

Magistrate Phillip Stewart refused Haisell’s bail and set the next court date for 24 July at Wagga Wagga Local Court.

During Operation Amarok III, police engaged with high-risk domestic violence offenders on 1169 occasions, made 315 applications for Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs), served 500 outstanding ADVOs, and completed 4882 ADVO compliance checks and 1465 bail compliance checks.

Officers also conducted 116 firearm prohibition order (FPO) searches at properties linked to those who are subject to FPOs.

Following the operation, 1107 charges were laid and of those 592 arrested, 139 were identified among NSW’s most dangerous domestic violence offenders and 103 of those had outstanding warrants for violent offences.

Riley Haisell was among 600 people arrested across the state during a four-day police operation targeting domestic and family violence in July. Photos: NSW Police.

Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism Yasmin Catley said domestic violence figures showed that it was an epidemic and an issue that could not be overstated.

Of the 139,000 calls police receive yearly for assistance, more than 33,000 are domestic-related assaults.

“We know domestic and family violence is one of the most underreported crime types,” Ms Catley said.

“The police have my full support on this. I back the government agencies working together to stamp out this type of behaviour. Operation Amarok sends a strong message to offenders that they’re in the sights of police.

“You’ve been warned. Your predatory behaviour will be policed to your door.”

Follow the link to find information about the NSW Police Force response to domestic and family violence.

Victims of domestic and family violence can find information about support services by contacting or visiting 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Reports of domestic and family-related crime or abuse can be made by contacting or attending your local police station. In an emergency, contact Triple Zero (000).

Anyone with information relating to domestic and family-related violence is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.