Freshwater Archives - Avalon News

Avalon Beach has become a focus of a police warning following reports that objects were thrown at passing vehicles near the suburb’s skate park precinct. Northern Beaches Police say incidents involving eggs, rocks and water balloons have prompted an operation targeting offenders and renewed concerns about youth behaviour across parts of the Northern Beaches.

Police Respond to Reports Across the Northern Beaches

Local police are cracking down on a dangerous trend of youths throwing eggs, rocks, and water balloons at moving vehicles, warning that the behavior is a serious crime, not a harmless prank.

The warning follows months of growing community concern regarding large groups of teenagers gathering around skate parks, shopping precincts, and popular local hangouts during evening hours.

Northern Beaches Police Area Command Superintendent John Duncan stated that officers are currently investigating multiple reports, with a heavy focus on community awareness and prevention.

The Real Danger: Crashes and Confrontations

Police emphasise that the risk extends far beyond minor property damage. The primary danger is the unpredictable reaction of a startled driver. A sudden swerve, harsh braking, or temporary loss of concentration can easily trigger a serious crash involving other motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians.

Furthermore, authorities reported several volatile incidents where drivers stopped their cars after being hit, leading to direct confrontations between motorists and groups of young people.

A Call to Parents and Witnesses

With investigations ongoing, Northern Beaches Police are urging parents to step in and have serious conversations with their children about the severe legal penalties and physical consequences of these actions.

Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Police Command/Facebook

Can you help? Police are asking anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of these incidents to contact local authorities immediately.

Published 15-June-2026

An Avalon woman’s routine trip to the local shops turned into a community-wide search when her car was stolen with her beloved dog, Amico, still inside. The incident, which unfolded across several Northern Beaches suburbs, left residents both shocked and captivated by the strange sequence of events that followed.

The unsettling discovery occurred on Sunday, 19 January, when Virginia, an Avalon local, left her Hilux Dual Cab briefly unattended outside Palm Beach Wine Co., with her keys in the ignition and Amico, a Kelpie crossed Border Collie, in the backseat. Within ten minutes, her car was gone, sparking an emotional ordeal that stretched over two tense days.

A Strange Phone Call and a Car Left Behind

Despite immediate police involvement, no trace of the vehicle or Amico was found that day. But the mystery deepened the next morning when Virginia received an unexpected call on her landline—a number known only to those with access to her missing phone, which had been inside the stolen vehicle.

The man on the line claimed to have seen a black dog jumping in and out of a car at Nolan Reserve, Manly, before abruptly hanging up. Although his identity remains unknown, Virginia suspects he may have been the car thief himself. Acting on the tip, she located her Hilux thoughtfully parked under a tree near the reserve. However, Amico was nowhere to be seen.

Amico the rescued dog from Avalon — *Photo Credit: What’s On Avalon/Facebooka*

A Community Comes Together

The search for Amico took a hopeful turn the next day when Annie Johnson, a local social worker, spotted a distressed black dog darting around Oliver Street in Freshwater. Exhausted and visibly shaken, the dog willingly jumped into Annie’s car. Realising the dog was far from home, she brought him to Harbord Vet and posted a photo in the popular Facebook group, ‘Avalon What’s On.’

By the time Annie arrived at work, her post had exploded with comments from concerned community members. It wasn’t long before the connection was made to Virginia’s earlier plea for help, leading to a heartwarming reunion between Virginia and her beloved Amico. Despite being shaken, Amico was safe, ending the ordeal with relief and gratitude.

Unanswered Questions Linger

While Amico’s return brought joy, the case remains unsolved. Police examined Virginia’s vehicle for fingerprints and reviewed CCTV footage from Palm Beach Wine Co., but no solid leads have emerged. The identity of the mysterious caller—whether a good Samaritan or the thief with a guilty conscience—remains unknown.

Virginia has since reflected on the incident with a simple but stern message to her community: never leave your keys in the car, even in familiar places.

Published 5-February-2025

Tag: Freshwater

Avalon Beach Named in Police Warning After Reports of Objects Thrown at Passing Cars