Handyman facing charges over theft from Dr Bill Griggs’ home amid arson inquiry

A handyman who did odd jobs around renowned medico Dr Bill Griggs’ Goolwa South home before it mysteriously burned down is facing charges over the theft of property from it.

A home handyman who did work on well-known trauma specialist Dr Bill Griggs’ Goolwa South holiday home is facing a string of charges over the theft of property from it just before it mysteriously burnt down.

The breakthrough in the case follows an investigation by Victor Harbor CIB detectives probing the cause of the million dollar blaze that gutted the luxury home on May 11 this year.

Goolwa South man Joshua Ryan Vogel, who is facing charges in connection with the theft of goods from the holiday home of well-known Adelaide trauma specialist Dr Bill Griggs. Picture: Facebook

Renowned SA medico Dr Bill Griggs. Picture: Sarah Reed

Dr Griggs was not staying in the Barrage Rd home at the time of the fire and was alerted by neighbours in the early hours of the morning. One of South Australia’s most experienced and respected trauma specialists, Dr Griggs retired as head of trauma services at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 2018.

Joshua Ryan Vogel, 35, of Goolwa South, has been reported for a variety of offences relating to the alleged theft and subsequent sale of property taken from Dr Grigg’s holiday home.

The offences are damaging property and dishonestly dealing with property without consent, serious criminal trespass, another count of dishonestly dealing with property and providing false information to a second-hand dealer.

Dr Bill Griggs’ Goolwa South was destroyed by fire in May. Picture: Edward Godfrey/Nine News Adelaide

The property damage and first count of dishonestly dealing with property relates to damaging a key safe and subsequent use of a key to enter the house while the remainder of the offences relate to entering the house and the alleged theft of a flat-screen television that was sold at a Port Noarlunga second-hand store.

Police will allege the property was stolen from the house in late April and then sold at the second-hand store on April 30.

Vogel will appear in Victor Harbor Magistrates Court on November 7 where he will be formally charged with the offences.

While Vogel has been reported over alleged incidents leading up to the fire, he is not facing any charges in connection with it.

The Advertiser does not suggest he was involved in the fire, and investigations into it are continuing.