Tuggerah Lakes Police will commence a search of bushland today as
part of investigations into the disappearance of a man who was reported
missing from Wyong almost 18 years ago.
Ronald Penn, then aged 61, was last seen in Wyong on 12 October 1995.
Police from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command have conducted extensive
investigations into Mr Penn’s disappearance.
Investigations have revealed Mr Penn, who would now be 77 years old, had
only a few of his clothes and personal belongings with him when he vanished;
none of his bank accounts have been accessed; and his driver’s licence has
not been renewed since he went missing.
Mr Penn’s motor vehicle was found burnt-out in bushland on 27 October 1995
on Berkeley Road, Berkeley Vale. After receiving fresh information, police
will again conduct a search of this area on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19
September 2013.
“Mr Penn disappeared nearly 20 years ago and police continue to follow a
number of lines inquiry in the hopes of determining what happened to him,”
Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Inspector David
Waddell, said.
“We are confident that someone knows what happened to Mr Penn and we
continue to appeal to the public for any information in relation to the
matter,” he said.
“Please – if you know where he is, or what has happened to him – come
forward and speak with police.
“Ronald’s family need you to provide any information about his movements or
current whereabouts – they need closure.”
Police are urging anyone with information about this incident should call
Granville Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers
online reporting page:
https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We
remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and
Twitter pages.
Tuggerah Lakes police have searched a Bateau Bay property
looking for evidence in the disappearance of Ronald Penn 17 years ago
and now believe it is linked to the shooting of a woman at Wyong Court
in 1995.
The shooting was on November 21 of that year when a 24 year old man
walked into Wyong Court House and shot a woman involved in an apprehended
violence proceedings.
It is understood that Ronald Penn was to have been a witness in that
court case.
Ronald Penn was last seen at a home at 15 Mitchell Drive in Bateau Bay
on 12 October 1995. He was aged 61 at the time, and has not been seen or
heard from since.
This is the second major search in relation to the disappearence with
investigators combing bushland off Berkeley Road in Berkeley Vale on
September 18 and 19 - at the location where Mr Penn's burnt-out car was
found on 27 October 1995.
Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command crime manager, Detective Inspector
David Waddell, said the recent searches had been prompted by fresh
information.
"Over recent months we have received some strong support and useful
information from the community," Det Insp Waddell said.
"Yet we do believe there are a number of people out there who know
what has happened to Mr Penn but are either afraid or unwilling to share
that information with police.
"If you know where he is, or what has happened to him, please give us
a call.
"We don't need to know who you are; all we need is the information you
have to hand. You can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously and your call will
be treated in the strictest of confidence.
"Ron's poor family deserve to know what happened to him; after 17
years, they are desperate for closure."
Investigations have revealed Mr Penn, who would now be 77 years old,
had his clothes and personal belongings with him when he vanished. Mone of
his bank accounts have been accessed and his driver's licence has not been
renewed since he went missing.
SHOOTING DESCRIBED IN PARLIAMENT
In the NSW Parliament Hansard on the day of the Wyong Court House
shooting, then Attorney General Jeff Shaw spoke about the incident.
"Honourable members may be aware from press reports that there was a
shooting incident at Wyong courthouse today. The full facts are yet to
emerge, but I can inform the House that the preliminary report from the
court indicates that a woman involved in court proceedings was shot within
the precincts of the court.
"I am informed that she has suffered injury to the upper left shoulder
and arm, forearm and face. Ambulance officers attended the court and
stabilised her condition. On the information available at this time, it is
hoped that she will recover from this dreadful attack. I am informed that
the woman was involved in seeking an apprehended violence order.
"The respondent to that order is not the person who shot the woman,
although I understand that the shooting arose from that case. As charges
will undoubtedly be laid as a result of the incident, I do not intend to
fully outline the facts of the matter. I can advise the House that the
alleged perpetrator of the shooting was apprehended by a corrective services
officer and secured until police arrived.
"No other person was injured in the incident. The court has been
closed for the day and the staff have been relieved of their duties. Three
officers from Gosford Local Court have gone to Wyong, and business will
resume tomorrow.
"The department has also arranged for a counsellor to counsel the
court staff. Comprehensive security arrangements at Wyong courthouse include
duress alarms and a closed-circuit television system. I am advised that
these alarms functioned during this morning's incident, ensuring that police
were quickly on the scene. The shooting is indeed a tragic and deplorable
event. It is indicative of the difficulties in providing absolute protection
to persons involved in domestic violence situations.
"The Attorney General's Department has recognised the need for
improved court security, and a program is presently under way to install
duress alarms in courtrooms, chambers and public counters in all
courthouses. The program is two-thirds complete. I can confirm to the House
that such facilities are included at Wyong, with the alarm being directly
connected to the local police station. While there will now be a need to
further review court security in this State, it is a sad fact that this
incident could have taken place in any location. I will shortly bring before
Parliament proposals for legislative change arising out of the review of the
apprehended violence order provisions of the Crimes Act."
Police investigating a car and
three men linked to disappearance of Ronald Penn
-
Errol Smith
- Central Coast
Gosford Express Advocate
-
May 02, 2014
12:29AM
Detectives investigating the disappearance of a Central Coast man 18
years ago have released descriptions of a car and three men that may be
linked to the case.
Ronald Penn was last seen in Bateau Bay on October 12, 1995. He was aged
61 at the time and has not been seen or heard from since.
Two weeks later, on October 27, Mr Penn’s white Mazda van was found
burnt-out in bushland on Berkeley Rd, Berkeley Vale.
As part of their ongoing investigation, detectives from Strike Force
Rankmore — which was formed to investigate Mr Penn’s disappearance — have been
told three men may have been in the near vicinity of Mr Penn’s car shortly after
it was set alight about 10pm on October 27, 1995.
Two of the men are described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander
appearance, while the third man is described as being of Caucasian appearance.
All three were seen leaving the scene in a red Ford Laser hatchback.
Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command crime manager Detective Insp David
Waddell said police believed there were people who knew what happened to Mr Penn
but were either afraid or unwilling to speak to police.
``If these descriptions ring a bell, or you have any other information
concerning Mr Penn, please do get in touch.
``We don’t need to know who you are; all we need is the information you
have to hand. You can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously and your call will be
treated in the strictest of confidence.”
Investigations have revealed Mr Penn had his clothes and personal
belongings with him when he vanished. None of his bank accounts have been
accessed and his driver’s licence has not been renewed since he went missing.
Police are urging anyone with information about the case to contact
Tuggerah Lakes Detectives
Or you can phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to the Crime
Stoppers online page at: https://www1.police.nsw .gov.au
Police have two previous searches relating to the case, one of a Bateau
Bay property , and the other of bushland at Berkeley Vale.
SEARCHES AT BATEAU BAY AND BERKELEY VALE
Tuggerah Lakes police searched a property at 15 Mitchell Drive, Bateau Bay
in December 2013 looking for evidence in the disappearance of Mr Penn.
At the time they said it was believe it is linked to the shooting of a
woman at Wyong Court in 1995.
The shooting was on November 21 of that year when a 24 year old man walked
into Wyong Court House and shot a woman involved in an apprehended violence
proceedings.
It is understood that Ronald Penn was to have been a witness in that court
case.
Ronald Penn was last seen at a home at 15 Mitchell Drive in Bateau Bay on
12 October 1995.
Investigators also combed bushland off Berkeley Road in Berkeley Vale on
September 18 and 19 - at the location where Mr Penn’s burnt-out car was found on
27 October 1995.
Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command crime manager, Detective Inspector David
Waddell, said at the time that those searches had been prompted by fresh
information.
“Over recent months we have received some strong support and useful
information from the community,” Det Insp Waddell said.
“Ron’s poor family deserve to know what happened to him; after 17 years,
they are desperate for closure.”