SA Police news: Elderly couple missing, last seen near Ceduna | Two men burned in Hackham house fire, Golden Grove fire
An elderly Victorian couple reported missing since Wednesday have been found safe near the WA border.
Police & Courts
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Rolling South Australia Police and emergency services news starting Sunday, July 11.
SATURDAY, JULY 17
ELDERLY VICTORIAN COUPLE MISSING
A Victorian couple who travelled through South Australia have been found after being reported missing by their family.
Police had urged the public to assist in the search for Valerie, 73, and Laurance Elliott, 76, who were travelling from Victoria to Western Australia before they went missing.
They last spoke to their family on Tuesday, July 13 when they told them they arrived at Ceduna, police said.
Valerie and Laurance told family they were intending to drive towards the WA border on Wednesday, 14 July.
Family held grave concerns for their welfare after not being able to contact them.
WOMAN ALLEGEDLY BLOWS NEARLY THREE TIMES LIMIT
A woman lost her license after being involved in a crash and allegedly drink-driving at St Marys.
Police were called to Ayliffe’s Rd at about 3.30am on Saturday morning to check on a driver who had been involved in a crash.
The woman hit a kerb, and was breath tested.
Police allege she returned a positive reading of 0.136. nearly three times the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.05.
The 41-year-old from Hove lost her license on the spot for six months and was reported for drink driving. She will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
FRIDAY, JULY 16
MAN IN HOSPITAL IN HACKHAM HOUSE FIRE
A man has been taken to hospital with burns on his feet after a fire broke out in his Hackham home.
The blaze was sparked by clothes or bedding too close to a heater at the Higgins St home about 3.30am Friday.
Fire crews prevented the blaze from spreading to neighbouring properties but half the home was destroyed, causing $200,000 in damages.
The 44-year-old man was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment of the burns, and was this morning in a serious but stable condition. He has since been discharged.
A spokeswoman from The Metropolitan Fire Services warned residents not to leave combustibles near heaters.
“The MFS reminds the public to keep any items that can burn well clear of heaters and fires,” the spokeswoman said.
Meanwhile, a man was burned and two females suffered smoke inhalation in a blaze at Golden Grove.
The fire started at the Wentworth Crescent unit about 3.45pm Friday, sparked by a candle.
Half the property was saved in the blaze and damages are estimated at $50,000.
Two females were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and a man was taken to the Lyell McEwin Hospital for treatment of burns.
THREE ARRESTED IN RAIDS
Three men have been arrested during raids by police while performing compliance checks with the Australian National Child Offender Register.
On Thursday and Friday police from the Public Protection Branch attended multiple homes, and arrested three men, including:
-A western suburbs man, 51, for failing to comply with reporting obligations, and breach of bail. He was refused bail and appeared in court on Friday.
-A southern suburbs man, 29, for possessing child exploitation material, and seven counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations. He was refused bail to appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates on Monday.
-A southern suburbs man, 23, for three counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations he was refused bail to appear in Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Monday.
Detective Superintendent James Blandford said: “We make no apologies for actively policing compliance with the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act. We will hold those with obligations to account, reinforcing compliance and placing those before the counts who choose not to abide by their legislated obligations.”
WOMEN ARRESTED AT BROMPTON
Two women were arrested at a Brompton service station after they allegedly stole a car from Torrensville on Wednesday.
Police spotted the car at about 12.30am on Friday morning at a Torrens Road service station.
The plates were checked against the system, that showed the silver Holden sedan was stolen from a Torrensville address on Wednesday after the offenders entered a home and allegedly stole keys.
The car was blocked from leaving the service station and police spoke to two women in the car.
Both woman were arrested and charged.
A 33-year-old from no fixed address was charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle, breach of bail and drive unlicensed. She was refused bail and will appear in Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday.
Another 33-year-old woman, from Mount Barker, was also charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle. She was granted police bail to appear in court at a later date.
THURSDAY, JULY 15
FATAL CRASH AT PORT KENNY
A nine-year-old boy has died following a single car rollover at Port Kenny on the Eyre Peninsula.
The car left Pygery-Port Kenny Rd about 4pm on Thursday afternoon, police said.
The nine-year-old boy, who was seated in the back of the Toyota RAV4, died at the scene.
A 16-year-old boy, also in the back of the car, sustained minor injuries and was taken to the Streaky Bay Hospital.
The driver, a 46-year-old woman, and the front seat passenger, a 47-year-old man, both from Findon, received minor injuries.
DRUGS AND LOADED GUN FOUND IN FINDON RAID
Two men have been arrested after police found drugs, stolen property and a loaded gun in a Findon home.
Police raided the property on Thursday under the Firearms Act, and found a loaded semiautomatic handgun, with a stolen motorcycle, cannabis and methamphetamine.
Two men at the property were arrested, including a 34-year-old, who was charged with aggravated possession of a class H firearm without a licence, breaching bail, theft, and possession of a controlled drug.
A 19-year-old man was also charged with firearms offences.
They were refused bail to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday.
DRIVER SOUGHT IN PETROL DRIVE-OFFS
Police are hunting a driver and vehicle involved in a hit-run crash and multiple petrol drive-offs on the Limestone Coast.
From July 6 police have received multiple reports of a green/blue Holden Commodore being involved in petrol drive offs in Millicent and Mount Gambier.
The vehicle is either bearing no plates or unassigned plates during while offending.
A vehicle matching the same description was involved in a hit-run crash in Mt Gambier on Thursday July 8, where it lost is front bumper.
Police have released an image of the suspect vehicle.
Recent sightings of the vehicle in recent days indicated the vehicle now has spotlights fitted to the roof.
Anyone who recognises the vehicle or knows the driver should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
DRIVERS CAUGHT DRAG RACING
Two 18-year-olds caught driving 199km/h in a 100km/h zone at Lonsdale have been reported and had their cars impounded.
About 8.30pm Wednesday, police were conducting speed checks on Lonsdale Road when the two Holden Commodore sedans were spotted travelling side-by-side on a double lane stretch.
The cars were stopped by police when they had to slow down due to traffic.
Police allege the drivers, from Seaford Rise and Aldinga Beach, know each other. They both held provisional licences and were each carrying a passenger.
Both cars were towed from the scene and will be impounded for 28 days.
The teenagers have been reported for aggravated engaging in a street race, driving at excessive speed and breaching the conditions of their provisional licence.
They will be summonsed to appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court at a later date.
MAN CHARGED OVER UNLEY ASSAULT
A man is in hospital with serious head injuries after he was assaulted in one of Adelaide’s leafy suburbs on Wednesday night.
About 8pm, emergency services were called to a home on Thomas Street at Unley following reports of an assault.
On arrival, they found the injured 43-year-old man, who was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
He is in a serious but stable condition, and his injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Following investigations, police arrested a 52-year-old Unley man over the incident.
He has been charged with aggravated assault causing serious harm.
The man was refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Although investigations into the incident are in their early stages, police do not believe the incident was random.
They said the two men involved were known to each other.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
WANTED MAN FOUND
Wanted Whyalla Norrie man Nathan Pedler has been found by police.
The 38-year-old was arrested on Wednesday night at Whyalla.
He has been charged with breaching bail conditions, and other matters, and will appear in the Whyalla Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Police thanked the public for their help in locating Mr Pedler.
CAR DRIVES INTO FRONT OF UNIT
A disqualified driver refused to be breath tested after crashing into an Elizabeth Park unit overnight.
The 38-year-old Smithfield Plains man smashed through the front wall of the property at about 12.30am.
It caused significant damage to the front of the house and a Toyota RAV4 parked in the driveway.
Falling debris also damaged another car in the driveway.
The man was arrested and charged with refusing a breath analysis, driving disqualified and driving without due care.
The occupants of the unit were uninjured. The crash also knocked out power to the six units and SA Power Networks attended to conduct repairs.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 14
TEEN REPORTED OVER EXTREMIST MATERIAL
A teenager has been reported for possessing extremist material by South Australia Police.
The 16-year-old boy was reported by the Counter Terrorism Security Section, for two counts of possessing the material.
He will appear in the Adelaide Youth Court in August.
BLAIR ATHOL ARSON CAUGHT ON FILM
Police have released CCTV of the moment a suspect set fire to a Blair Athol home last month in a bid to identify them.
The suspect smashed a front window of the Marmion Ave home using a chair, and placed accelerant inside before setting it alight about 1.15am on Monday, June 28.
The male occupant escaped without injury,
Witnesses saw the man wearing a motorcycle helmet running from the house, towards Prospect Rd after the incident, and later heard a motorcycle speeding away from the area.
Anyone who recognises the suspect in the CCTV or has any other information relating to the case should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
CAR THIEF ARRESTED AT CROYDON
A man carrying a knife and driving a stolen car has been arrested at Croydon.
Police discovered the vehicle, a Nissan Pulsar, was stolen after conducting a registration check at the drive-through of the Hungry Jack’s fast food restaurant on Torrens Rd at about 12.30am.
Police allege the man resisted efforts to immobilise the car.
The driver, a 32-year-old Brompton man, was arrested and searched.
A knife was allegedly found in his clothing, and a second blade was found in the car.
The driver was charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle, fail to obey police direction, resist arrest and carry offensive weapon.
He was granted bail to appear before the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court Friday, August 13.
The vehicle was an unreturned hire car that was taken on Monday, June 14.
WANTED MAN ARRESTED WITH DRUGS AND FIREARMS
A man who had a warrant out for his arrest has been arrested during a random traffic stop at Murray Bridge.
The BMW was pulled over on Swanport Rd about 8pm Tuesday, which had been defected.
The driver, a Murray Bridge man, 37, had an active warrant and found in possession of a quantity of meth and an ice pipe.
An uncovered and insecure gel blaster was found in the boot.
He was charged with driving contrary to defect, possessing drugs, possessing equipment for drugs, and possessing an unlicensed, unregistered firearm.
He was refused bail to appear in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
CAR AND CASH STOLEN AT DOVER GARDENS
A man was allegedly robbed of his car and cash while at a friend’s house at Dover Gardens.
The man was accosted by a group of four to six men who threatened him with a knife, demanded he transfer money to a bank account and handover his car keys while at a friend’s house, just after 1.30am on Wednesday morning.
The men then took his black Holden VY Calais sedan, with registration S860AEP, and also left in a grey sedan.
The 29-year-old male victim received facial injuries during the incident.
When police attended the address, a 15-year-old Dover Gardens boy was arrested for a warrant and a 23-year-old Dover Gardens woman was arrested for hinder police, as she tried to prevent the arrest.
The boy will appear in the Youth Court on Wednesday.
The woman was bailed to appear at a later date.
MAN ARRESTED OVER FAST FOOD RESTAURANT ROBBERY
A man was arrested after allegedly taking cash from a Hungry Jack’s at Morphett Vale overnight.
Police allege the man entered the restaurant on the corner of Pimpala Rd and Booth Ave about 9pm on Tuesday night, before he threatened staff with a knife and demanded cash.
The man left with cash from the till and fled the scene in a getaway car.
Witnesses reported the registration of the car to police, who tracked it to the owner’s address.
The car was intercepted as it entered the driveway, and a 33-year-old man from Old Reynella was arrested.
He was refused police bail and will appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
TUESDAY, JULY 13
PRISON ESCAPEE ARRESTED
A prisoner who has been on the run for 36 hours after escaping from the Port Augusta Hospital has been arrested.
Kurtley Doolan, an inmate at Port Augusta Prison, was receiving medical attention at the hospital when he escaped about 8pm Sunday.
Police with the assistance of the Special Tasks and Rescue Group, and the Dog Operations Unit, searched a Port Augusta home about 1.15pm Tuesday and arrested Doolan without incident.
He will be charged with escaping lawful custody and assault.
STOLEN CAR LEADS TO GROW HOUSE
A grow house was uncovered at Waterloo Corner after police followed a stolen ute on Monday morning.
A service station worker at Paralowie first raised the alarm about the Toyota HiLux after noticing a man acting suspiciously while trying to fill up his car.
The worker found the plates did not match the car and called police.
The ute was later seen by officers on the Salisbury Highway at Mawson Lakes and followed by a police helicopter, but the ute sped off.
It was followed to a Waterloo Corner property, where a 33-year-old Virginia man and a 30-year-old Two Wells woman – who did not live there – jumped out and hid in a shed.
They were found by a police dog, arrested and charged with illegal use.
The Hilux was reported stolen from Mile End in May.
Police also found five hydroponically-grown cannabis plants at the property.
They are investigating the drugs and questioning the occupants of the property.
MONDAY, JULY 12
JUVENILES ARRESTED AFTER COOBER PEDY CRIME SPREE
Eight people – most aged under 15 – have been arrested following an investigation into a crime spree in Coober Pedy last month.
Police in the area received multiple reports including illegal interference of motor vehicles, property damage, arson and theft offences.
Police arrested seven juveniles all from Coober Pedy, who all received bail to appear in local court in August.
Four boys, aged 13, 11, 14, and 12, and a girl, 14, were all charged with arson, illegal interference, property damage, throw missile, unlawfully on premises and theft.
Two boys, aged 14 and 15 were charged with breaching bail, and a Port Augusta man, 35, was also charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass and theft. He was remanded in custody and faced court on Monday.
HUNT ON FOR PRISON ESCAPEE
The search is on for a prisoner who escaped from Port Augusta Hospital while receiving treatment.
Kurtley Doolan was being treated in a hospital ward when he escaped about 8pm on Sunday, police said.
Doolan, 27, is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, about 170cm tall, with a slim build, brown eyes and brown hair.
He has distinctive tattoos on both sides of his neck and was last seen wearing a blue hospital gown.
Anyone with information on Doolan’s whereabouts or possible sightings is advised not to approach him, but to contact the police on 131 444 or in an emergency triple-0.
SUNDAY, JULY 11
MURDER CHARGE OVER MOUNT GAMBIER’S WOMAN’S DEATH
A man has been charged with murder over the death of a woman at Mount Gambier.
Just after 7.30am Sunday, police and detectives were called to a house on Chestnut Close after the body of a woman, 44, was found inside.
A 34-year-old man, who is known to the woman, was later charged with murder and he is expected to appear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Monday.
Major Crime detectives are investigating.
DRINK DRIVER CRASHES IN THE CBD
A woman will face court after she was caught driving with a blood-alcohol content reading more than three times the legal limit.
About 10.35pm on Friday night, mounted police attended a two-car crash on Grenfell Street in the CBD.
Fire crews helped clean-up the crash, and no injuries were reported.
Both drivers were breath tested and one, a 47-year-old Edwardstown woman, returned a reading of 0.171.
She was issued a 12-month loss of licence and reported for aggravated driving without due care and drink driving.
The woman will be summonsed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.
SUSPECTED DRUG LAB UNCOVERED
A suspected drug lab has been detected inside a business premises north of Adelaide.
Police found the suspected lab at a commercial property on Port Road at Queenstown.
Officers in hazmat suits removed materials from the site on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters were also at the scene.
It is expected police will release more further details on Monday.
LUXURY CAR IMPOUNDED
A 60-year-old man has had his luxury car impounded after he was caught speeding and driving while suspended in the South East.
About 4pm Saturday, a state traffic enforcement police officer riding a motorcycle was conducting rural traffic policing duties when a black Mercedes sedan was detected speeding on the Dukes Highway at Tintinara.
Police said the car was travelling 135km/h in a 110km/h zone.
The driver, from Thebarton, had also had his licence suspended on medical grounds.
He was reported for speeding and driving while suspended, and will be summonsed to appear in court on a date to be set.
His car has been impounded for 28 days.
Sergeant Watts from the SA Police state traffic enforcement section said the man had behaved irresponsibly on the road.
“The selfish and irresponsible driving behaviour of this man, who was suspended from driving on medical grounds, increased the risk of a serious injury crash or fatality,” he said.
“State traffic enforcement motorcycle officers will continue to maintain a strong visual presence on South Australian roads to prevent and detect dangerous driving behaviour.”
MAN ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING STOLEN CAR
A man has been arrested after he crashed a stolen car north of Adelaide, then attempted to flee the scene.
About 9.45pm on Saturday, police on patrol saw a silver Hyundai i30 travelling at high speed on Days Road at Ferryden Park
They followed the car through the backstreets of the suburb, before they saw it fail to negotiate a turn at the intersection of Orkney Street and Wright Street.
The Hyundai crashed into a parked car, and the driver got out and ran from the scene.
However, police chased him down and arrested him in nearby Ridley Grove.
Further investigations revealed the i30 had been stolen from a Woodville Gardens address last Thursday night.
The 23-year-old arrested man, from Woodville Gardens, has been charged with illegally using a motor vehicle and failing to stop at a crash scene.
He is expected to be refused bail.
MAN ASSAULTED IN CBD FIGHT
A man has been taken to hospital after he was knocked unconscious in a fight on Sunday morning.
About 5.10am, police and emergency services were called to Currie Street in the CBD after a fight broke out between two men near Leigh Street.
When police arrived, the 48-year-old Port Noarlunga man was unconscious on the road. He was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Officers later stopped a grey BMW in Austin Street and arrested a 32-year-old Devon Park man in connection with the incident.
He is expected to be charged with assault causing harm.
TEEN ARRESTED ON STOLEN BIKE
A 14-year-old boy will face the Youth Court after he was caught riding a stolen motorbike through the southern suburbs.
Just after 11pm Saturday night, traffic police spotted the red Honda on Bahloo Ave at Mitchell Park.
They stopped the bike to speak to the driver, and checks revealed it had allegedly been stolen from Edwardstown sometime that afternoon.
The boy has been charged with illegally using a motor vehicle, driving unauthorised, stating false personal details and breaching bail.
He was refused bail and will appear in the Youth Court on Monday.
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