Police blitz seeks public help to find 20 fugitives including SA suspects Stuart Pearce, Samuel Tamati and Jennifer Hassarati
A NATIONWIDE blitz calling on the public to help track down Australia’s top 20 most wanted fugitives, including three South Australians, begins today.
A NATIONWIDE blitz calling on the public to help track down Australia’s top 20 most wanted fugitives, including three South Australians, begins today.
Operation Roam focuses on suspects most likely to have fled interstate to avoid being caught and includes accused murderer Stuart Pearce, alleged aggravated robber Samuel Tamati and fraud suspect Jennifer Hassarati.
“They could be your neighbours, they could be in your workplace or they could be visiting your local shops when you are there,” Assistant Commissioner Phil Newitt said.
He said the three South Australians were included in the Crime Stoppers operation because there was a “strong likelihood” they had fled interstate and urged all people in SA to familiarise themselves with each of the 20 suspects listed.
“Conversely, the other 17 people highlighted as part of this operation may now be in South Australia, so we urge the community to check out the images and call police if you see one of these people,” he said.
Hassarati is a new addition to the list this year and the only woman listed among 19 men.
She is accused of the “elaborate deception” of a southern suburbs telecommunications business into providing several iPhones and iPads which she then onsold to members of the public.
Mr Newitt said she had previously committed other frauds interstate and was also wanted in NSW.
He said Tamati was wanted over an aggravated robbery involving a knife which occurred in June 2013.
“It’s been alleged that he, together with another man, approached a gentleman on Torrens Rd, Kilkenny,” he said.
“A knife was produced and the victim was robbed of some personal possessions, some jewellery items.”
His co-accused has been tried and convicted for the crime.
Police are yet to speak to Pearce who is wanted over the murder of his wife and three of his four children at Parafield Gardens in 1991.
“It’s a very well-publicised case obviously well known to many South Australians ... it’s vital that he is spoken to so the murders can be investigated properly.”
Crime Stoppers SA Chair Sharon Hanlon said community support was vital for police to find and apprehend the fugitives.
“These people are wanted on a range of very serious offences, and could very well be in your neighbourhood,” Ms Hanlon said.
“Someone, somewhere knows where these people live or places they frequent.
“Even the smallest piece of information can be vitally important, so if anyone knows their whereabouts, we are urging them to make an anonymous call to 1800 333 000 or to go online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.”
To view photos and details of each of the suspects, visit the Crime Stoppers website here.
A reward of up to $1000 is offered for tips leading to the arrest of wanted people, while the South Australian Government is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the suspected murders of Pearce’s wife and three children in Parafield Gardens in 1991.
In 2014, Crime Stoppers wrote 113,000 intelligence reports from 252,000 contacts which led to 5419 arrests and 16,022 charges nationwide.
Crime Stoppers, an independent, not-for-profit community organisation working in partnership with police, began in SA in 1996.
It encourages people to come forward with information that helps to solve crimes, providing a toll-free hotline and a website that guarantees anonymity with the option of a reward.