Two men have been refused bail and another released under strict conditions amid an investigation into a social media event that descended into chaos at Mayfield last weekend.
Brothers Mark Di Stefano, 25, and Lochlan Di Stefano, 20, fronted the virtual Bail Division Court 2 on June 20, each charged with seven offences.
Both have been accused of rioting, using violence to cause fear, driving without a licence, having a stolen motor vehicle in their custody, and destroying or damaging property, among others.
Specialist officers from the Northern Region Operations Support Group backed Newcastle police as they raided a property at Wallsend about 7am on Friday, June 19.
Police allegedly discovered and seized four motorbikes, a scooter, taser, 0.55 grams of methamphetamine, helmets, clothing, and electronics.
Officers arrested three men, the Di Stefano brothers and 22-year-old Noah Steven Hewitt, and took them to Waratah Police Station.
The police prosecutor told the court that Mark Di Stefano allegedly placed "himself and others at risk" and allegedly placed the "community in great danger" during the events at Dangar Park on Sunday June 14.
The police prosecutor also said the brothers were accused of offending at the park and then riding through Newcastle for 13 kilometres with "a significant number of traffic offences" that allegedly included driving on the wrong side of the road and going through red lights.
He also said much of the alleged offending was captured on PolAir footage and other videos.
The court heard that Lochlan Di Stefano was on parole at the time of the incident.
The Bail Court judge described the string of charges as "dangerous" and said that Lochlan Di Stefano allegedly played a "very important role" in the incident.
She said the pair allegedly attempted to flee police on the day.
Lawyers for both men sought bail applications on the basis of their personal circumstances and their families but the court rejected bail due the dangerousness of their alleged activities on the Sunday.
Noah Steven Hewitt was charged with six offences including damaging or destroying property, rioting, using violence to cause fear, having a stolen motor vehicle in their custody, and driving without a licence.
His lawyer told the court that time in remand would be "quite onerous" to him and he was the sole breadwinner for his family.
The police prosecutor objected to releasing him on bail pointing to the seriousness of the alleged offending.
The court granted Mr Hewitt bail under strict conditions which included being released into the care of his partner, and reporting at Belmont police station three times a week.
He was instructed not to enter or go within 100 metres of Dangar Park, not to contact Mark and Lochlan Di Stefano or anyone else charged with offences linked to the Mayfield incident, and was not allowed to take any non-prescribed drugs or to consume alcohol.
He was told not to occupy the driver's seat of a motor vehicle.
All three men will face Newcastle Court on July 15.
Police intelligence led them to launch an operation targeting an event being promoted on social media by streetwear brand Bad Apples at the skate park at Dangar Park on Sunday, June 14.
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Police attended about 1pm, including officers from the riot squad and the PolAir helicopter, after reports a large group had gathered.
Officers found up to 200 people had converged on the park, where Bad Apples was promising cash and merchandise giveaways.
Police allege up to another 40 people were riding unregistered trail bikes in parkland and on surrounding streets.
Officers were forced to close nearby streets to restore order, and deployed capsicum spray after a brawl broke out. One woman was arrested at the scene before being released pending further inquiries.
Police seized two unregistered motorbikes on the day and they were undergoing forensic examination.
Newcastle police vowed to invest significant resources into finding those responsible for causing the chaos and endangering the community. They launched Operation Horizon to investigate and have been trawling through footage.
Operation Horizon investigations continue and anyone with footage or information should contact Newcastle police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
