Two teenage girls are to appear in court after police officers were allegedly assaulted in McDonald’s in Harrogate.
The incident happened at the restaurant on Cambridge Road on April 1 this year.
North Yorkshire Police said two community support officers were allegedly assaulted while responding to an incident at around 7pm.
A 13 year-old and 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been charged and will appear in court on October 28.
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Another girl, 14, was referred to a youth outcomes panel following the incident and was dealt with by an out of court police disposal.
The panel, which is a partnership between police, North Yorkshire Youth Justice Service and York Youth Offending Team, decides what action, if any, is most appropriate to pursue.
It encourages a restorative approach with victims and looks to address the causes of the young person’s offending.
Missing man from Harrogate district found safeA missing man from the Harrogate district has been found safe.
North Yorkshire Police issued an appeal this afternoon for information to find the man, who was last seen leaving his home on Tuesday this week.
But the force reported tonight that the man had been traced.
We have therefore updated this article and removed the man’s name and photo.
Some good news!
The 40 year old man from the Harrogate area has been found safe and well.
Thank you for your support with the appeal. pic.twitter.com/7YlsbsISE7
— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) September 28, 2022
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Missing Harrogate schoolgirl found safe
Police said this evening that a missing Harrogate schoolgirl has been found safe.
North Yorkshire Police issued an appeal for information this afternoon after the girl had failed to return home since Thursday.
But officers said tonight she had been “found safe and well”.
We have consequently updated our coverage by removing details of the girl in order to conceal her identity.
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Police seize suspected cocaine in Ripon house raid
A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of possessing cocaine following a drugs raid by North Yorkshire Police.
Police used a warrant to enter a house in Ripon and seized a large quantity of powder, believed to be cocaine.
According to officers, a number of other items including scales, mobile phones and cash, were also seized during the operation in the south of the city on Friday.
A local man and woman, both in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of possessing class-A drugs with intent to supply and taken into custody.
They were interviewed and have been released under investigation to allow further enquiries to be carried out, including forensic tests of the substances.
Inspector Penny Taylor said:
“Information from communities is vital to help us tackle drug offending, and I’d urge anyone who has information about drug activity to share it with us.
“All reports are taken seriously and could help us make a real difference in your community.”
Anyone with information about drug dealing in their community can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, and select option 1 to speak to the force control room.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and the charity will share the information with North Yorkshire Police.
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Police appeal after man exposed himself to 16-year-old girl in Harrogate
A man exposed himself in front of a 16-year-old girl in Harrogate yesterday afternoon.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place on Wheatlands Road East, between Rayleigh Road and Hornbeam Crescent, at 4.15pm.
The man is described as white, in his late teens, with strawberry blonde short hair. He was around 5ft 9ins tall and described as slim build, wearing baggy clothes, a black hoody and grey jogging bottoms.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:
“We’ve launched a full investigation and are asking anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information that could assist to please come forward.”
To provide information to the police, call 101, select option two and ask for David Kaye, or email david.kaye@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting reference 12220170157.
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Wanted Harrogate man arrested
Police have arrested a wanted Harrogate man.
Officers issued an appeal for the whereabouts of a 30-year-old man, who was believed to be in either the Harrogate or Knaresborough area.
The force has since confirmed that he has been arrested in the Blackpool area on suspicion of offences connected to a serious assault.
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Man trying door handles in Harrogate arrested after police chase
A suspected thief has been arrested after police responded to reports of a man trying car door handles in Harrogate.
Officers spotted the suspect inside a vehicle in the Knaresborough Road area at about 8.20pm last night.
According to North Yorkshire Police, the man ran off when he saw police and was detained following a short foot chase. Officers then found what are believed to be stolen items in his possession.
Further enquiries showed he was also wanted by police in connection with burglaries and he had only just been released from prison.
The man, who is in his 20s and of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle, vehicle interference and burglary.
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He has been taken into custody where he remains while enquiries continue.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:
Suspected Ripon rogue trader receives court ban“We regularly patrol areas where vehicle crime has been reported, both on foot and with vehicle patrols.
“The two officers who dealt with this incident were able to apprehend a suspect very quickly and a full investigation is now under way.
“Anyone who has had items stolen from their vehicle, or has seen anyone acting suspiciously or trying door handles, should contact us on 101. If you witness a crime taking place, it’s 999.”
A suspected rogue door-to-door seller has received a dispersal order in court banning him from operating anywhere in North Yorkshire.
Police received complaints about a rise in aggressive and suspicious door-to-door traders calling at homes in the Ripon area uninvited.
During village patrols, two PCSOs found the man from Teesside, who has not been named, operating in Grewelthorpe.
According to a North Yorkshire Police statement, “a number of other things” concerned officers, “including his reason for being in the area”.
The man been issued with a dispersal notice covering all of North Yorkshire. He was also reported for summons regarding the certificate and is due to appear in court at a later date.
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A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:
“Many legitimate organisations use doorstep sellers.
“But some criminals also use this tactic to catch victims off guard, get personal information or gain entry to people’s homes.
“Knowing how to respond could prevent you from becoming a victim, so we’re sharing the following information to help people make informed choices if someone knocks on their door.”
Police advice on dealing with doorstep callers
North Yorkshire Police issues the following guidelines:
- When answering the door, use a peephole or door chain if you have one. Never invite a stranger who calls unannounced into your home.
- If a caller is legitimate, they will be happy for your to check their identity. Ask for ID and call their company. To verify a police officer’s identity, you can call 101.
- Take your time to make decisions about buying – ask for contact details so you can get back to them when you’ve had a think. Research the price elsewhere.
- Never give out personal information and don’t feel bad about saying no and closing the door.
- If you have concerns about doorstep callers where you live or have been visited by someone you think may be bogus, please tell us using the ‘report it’ link on the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling the force on 101.
- If someone calls at your home, becomes aggressive and you fear for your safety, call 999 immediately.
Police have revealed they found murderer Vitalijus Koreiva asleep in the same flat as his victim when they went to investigate.
Gracijus Balciauskas, 41, was killed on Mayfield Grove on December 20, 2021.
Vitalijus Koreiva, 37, and Jaroslaw Rutowicz, 39, were jailed for murder and manslaughter respectively at Leeds Crown Court this morning.
After the sentencing, North Yorkshire Police described how the shocking incident unfolded.
Supermarket staff dialled 999 after being approached by a man who told them “someone is dead”.
Rutowicz took officers to the flat on Mayfield Grove where they found the body of a man wrapped in a large rug in a bedroom. A post mortem later showed he had suffered severe injuries to his head and torso.
Koreiva, who was asleep on the sofa, was arrested along with Rutowicz.
The crime scene at the flat on Mayfield Grove in December 2021.
Police analysed Rutowicz’s phone and found “disturbing and graphic videos” showing assaults on the victim on the day of his death.
In one clip, filmed at 5.52am, the victim was kicked in the head and in the ribs, and cried out in pain.
In another clip, filmed at 7.02am, Rutowicz, who was holding the phone, tried to roll the victim over and give him a cigarette. A clip filmed at 7.21am showed the victim lying on the floor with his eyes closed.
In interview, Koreiva told police he had gone to sleep and when he woke up he found Mr Balciauskas dead on the floor, and got a rug to put over him.
Separately, Rutowicz told officers that Koreiva had assaulted him before attacking the victim. But both Koreiva and Rutowicz were charged in connection with his death.
North Yorkshire Police today released CCTV showing Koreiva and Rutowicz buying alcohol hours before the attack happened.
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Jailing Koreiva for life this morning, Judge Rodney Jameson KC told him the attack need not have been fatal “had you not tried to drunkenly cover up what you had done”.
Rutowicz was jailed for 12 years for the manslaughter of Mr Balciauskas.
Guilty: Jaroslaw Rutowicz (left) and Vitalijus Koreiva.
DCI Jonathan Sygrove, from North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team, said:
“The level of violence used against Gracijus Balciauskas was nothing short of brutal. The victim was subjected to a horrific assault, which led to his death. And shockingly, Mr Balciauskas was filmed with a mobile phone while he lay dying.
“When they were interviewed, Koreiva and Rutowicz blamed each other, but ultimately the evidence showed their involvement. It is right that they have now been brought to justice, and must face the consequences of their actions.”
‘A friendly and jovial person’
In a statement issued following today’s sentencing, Mr Balciauskas’ family said:
Dog walker seriously injured in collision with motorist near Ripon“As a family we have been deeply affected by Gracijus’ death. We will always remember him as a friendly and jovial person. Even as the months pass, the pain of his loss still remains.
“We want to deeply thank the officers and investigators at North Yorkshire Police with the investigation and doing everything they could to bring justice for him and for all of us too. We also give thanks to Victim Support for supporting us through something that no family should ever go through.
“We also thank everyone at the Harrogate Homeless Unit for supporting Gracijus any way they could when he was still alive.”
A dog walker was taken to hospital with serious injuries after he was hit by a vehicle near Ripon.
The driver failed to leave any details and police are now trying to trace him.
The victim was walking his black Alsatian dog when a vehicle struck him and his dog.
The dog is believed to have been injured and ran off.
The incident happened at around 6pm on Sunday, September 11 on a country lane at Gate Bridge Road, which is between Grantley and Galphay.
The driver is described as a white man with short brown hair, a local accent, a short stubble beard and aged 30 to 40 years old.
He drove the victim to Harrogate District Hospital, left him outside and drove off without leaving any details.
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The victim, who is in his 30s, cannot recall the make of vehicle but remembers it was black.
He suffered serious injuries, which are not life-threatening. The dog has yet to be found.
North Yorkshire Police today urged anyone who has information, dashcam footage from surrounding roads at the time, or saw anything in the moments leading up to the incident is asked to email craig.taylor@northyorkshire.police.uk
You can also contact Traffic Constable Taylor on 101, select option 2 and ask for Craig Taylor.
Quote reference 12220163189 when sharing information.