SA police news: Rock climber rescued in Flinders Ranges | Skydiver hurt in landing at Lower Light
A rock climber has been rescued after being injured in the Flinders Ranges. Meanwhile, a skydiver is being treated by paramedics at Lower Light after he suffered a heavy landing.
Police & Courts
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South Australia’s rolling police and emergency services news, starting Sunday, September 19.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2
ROCK CLIMBER RESCUE
A delicate 12-hour long rescue mission was undertaken to retrieve an experienced rockclimber who got into trouble in the Flinders Ranges.
A distress signal was sent out about 6.45pm Friday after the man, who was in a group, was hit by a rock while climbing a cliff face at Arkaroo Rock near Wilpena Pound.
A paramedic was among a team that hiked to the scene to treat the 20-year-old, who suffered facial and head trauma.
The SA Ambulance Service, State Emergency Service, SA Police and Country Fire Service all attended the scene after a medical helicopter was not able to be deployed due to weather conditions.
Rescuers stayed with the man overnight and brought him food and blankets.
The patient was winched to safety and transported to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a rescue helicopter on Saturday morning in a stable condition.
SKYDIVER INJURED LOWER LIGHT
Paramedics are treating a skydiver who injured himself while landing at Lower Light.
The man, 46, is an experienced skydiver and came down too quick on his decent about 1pm Saturday at the Port Wakefield Highway site.
Crews were called to the scene, and are treating the victim who suffered leg and hip injuries.
The man was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a stable condition.
WOMAN DIES AFTER CRASH
An elderly woman has died after a crash at Lonsdale earlier this week.
The car veered off Dyson Rd about 9.30am Wednesday.
The driver, a Seacombe Heights woman, 91, was taken to the Flinders Medical Centre but died from her injuries on Friday.
Major Crash Investigators attended the scene and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Her death is the 73rd life lost on South Australian roads so far this year, compared to 64 at the same time last year.
MAN ARRESTED FOR AFFRAY
A man was arrested after allegedly threatening people with a knife in Glandore.
Concerned members of the public called police about 1.15pm Saturday, reporting a man with the offensive weapon on South Rd.
Police attended and found the man walking on Read Rd.
When he spotted police the suspect jumped over a fence into a rear yard.
A short time later the man was arrested on nearby Naldera St.
The Seaton man, 25, was arrested and taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatement of injuries sustained while jumping the fence.
A search of nearby homes locatred the alleged weapon.
He will likely be charged with affray.
LARGE SEARCH FOR MISSING WOMAN CHARLENE WARRIOR
A large-scale search for a missing woman on the Yorke Peninsula recommenced on Saturday morning.
The search was launched on Friday after Charlene Warrior, 21, was reported missing.
Ms Warrior was last seen at Bute in the Yorke Peninsula on Saturday, September 18.
Police, with police helicopters, STAR Group officers, the Mounted Operations Unit, the State Emergency Service and Country Fire Service recommenced the search for Ms Warrior about 7am Saturday. The search stopped just after 1pm. It is not known whether it will recommence on Sunday.
Police are seeking help from the Bute community, asking people to check their properties, including sheds and outbuildings.
Ms Warrior is described as 157cm tall with a slim build, brown eyes and long black hair. She has a tattoo on her collarbone saying: “Every dark night has a brighter day” and a lower left arm tattoo: “Family is forever’.
Anyone who sees Ms Warrior, pictured below, or has any information on her whereabouts is urged to contact police on 131 444.
CARAVAN ROLLOVER AT ST IVES
A caravan and car have rolled causing a traffic hazard on the South Eastern Freeway.
The crash happened about 12.40pm Saturday at St Ives, near Jakem Farm 4WD park.
There are no reported injuries but motorists should drive with care in the area while tows are being arranged.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1
SHED FIRE AT CUDLEE CREEK
At 6:17am on Friday, CFS crews were alerted to a shed fire in Redden Drive, Cudlee Creek by triple-0 callers, who reported popping sounds and smoke coming from an industrial shed.
Seven CFS crews arrived to find a fire burning through the 15mx30m shed.
Crews quickly set about protecting three nearby homes and were able to remove a caravan and recreational vehicle from the shed before either were damaged by the blaze.
The fire was contained to an office section and crews set about extinguishing hot spots.
After confirmation that a laser cutting machine was damaged in the fire, damages have been estimated to be $300,000.
Fire cause investigators will attend the scene later on Friday.
FAKE $50 NOTES, WEAPONS, DRUGS SEIZED
Counterfeit $50 notes, along with weapons and drugs, were seized in a Port Lincoln raid.
Police attended the home on Thursday afternoon in relation to an ongoing investigation, and smelled a strong cannabis scent coming from the home.
They searched the home and found six cannabis plants being grown hydroponically, with a taser, two laser pens, cannabis seeds and 250g of dried cannabis.
Officers located 56 counterfeit $50 notes, which have distinct symbols indicating they are fake.
Police are not aware of any attempts to pass the notes as payment but the public and businesses are asked to be aware of their existence and be vigilant in checking any $50 notes they receive.
A Port Lincoln man, 26, was reported for cultivating cannabis, possessing a dangerous article and possessing a prohibited weapon. He was also issued a fine for possessing cannabis and possessing equipment for smoking cannabis. He will appear in court at a later date.
ARSON AT LARGS NORTH
A man was burned in a deliberately lit house fire at Largs North.
The Kolapore Ave home’s bedroom was ablaze about 5pm on Thursday.
Fire crews contained the blaze, which caused $100,000 damage.
Two male occupants escaped. One was not injured while the other was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital after sustaining smoke inhalation and minor burns.
He will undergo a mental health assessment.
Investigations are ongoing and police believe the cause was arson.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
MAN CHARGED OVER CBD SEXUAL ASSAULT FACES COURT
A man charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Adelaide’s CBD on the weekend has appeared in court for the first time.
Harpreet Singh Chahal, 30, of no fixed address, was arrested on Wednesday, and appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday.
He did not apply for bail and is yet to enter pleas to two counts of engaging in sexual intercourse with a person without consent.
Police will allege a woman was sexually assaulted on Flinders St, near the intersection of Gawler Place, between 12.50am and 1.15am on Sunday, September 26.
An investigation into the alleged assault is continuing and police want to speak with a man they believe witnessed the incident.
The accused man will return to court in February.
DRUG TRAFFICKING ARRESTS AT OTTOWAY
Three people were arrested and one reported after police raided a property at Ottoway on Wednesday.
Acting on information regarding a firearm and illicit drugs, Western District police, with the assistance of STAR Group and Police Dogs Taco and Harriet, searched the premises about 1pm.
Officers allegedly found methamphetamine, fantasy, cannabis, cannabis resin, steroids and about $21,000 in cash.
A 37-year-old Ottoway man was arrested and charged with four counts of trafficking in a controlled drug and money laundering. He was refused police bail and will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court today.
A 29-year-old Ottoway man was arrested and charged with three counts of trafficking in a controlled drug and possess prescription drug. He was bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on 14 November.
Officers also found and seized a metal toy gun.
Also located at the property, a 42-year-old Modbury woman who was arrested and charged with breach of bail and a 35-year-old Seaton man who was reported for deception.
Anyone with information on the manufacture, sale or supply of illicit drugs or illegal firearms can report it anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
ROADS FLOODED NEAR TEPKO
Mannum Rd at Tepko is expected to be closed for up to two weeks following damage caused to the road surface by recent flooding.
It comes after wild weather lashed the Adelaide region yesterday, wreaking havoc in the hills.
Motorists are advised Mannum Rd is closed between Wagenknecht and Tepko roads.
THREE TEENS ARRESTED AFTER POLICE PURSUIT
Three teens were arrested after a police pursuit with a stolen car in the southern suburbs overnight.
About 1.30am on Thursday, patrols spotted a Toyota sedan on Kenneth Rd, Morphett Vale. It had been involved in a drive-off at an Old Reynella petrol station earlier in the evening.
The vehicle was pursued through the backstreets of Morphett Vale and Christie Downs, driving through a reserve near Jermaine St, Morphett Vale where it burst a tyre. The Toyota was followed at a slower speed until it came to a stop in a reserve near the Christie Downs Railway Station.
The three occupants of the car ran off into a nearby skate park but were quickly apprehended by police.
A 15-year-old old boy from Christie Downs, who police will allege was the driver, was charged with drive unlicensed, illegal use, dangerous driving to escape police pursuit, making off without payment and refuse bail. He was refused police bail and will appear in the Christies Beach Youth Court today.
Two 13-year-old boys from Morphett Vale were charged with illegal use and were bailed to appear in the Christies Beach Youth Court on 18 November.
Inquiries revealed the car had been stolen from the driveway of a home at Flagstaff Hill earlier in the evening.
MAN ARRESTED OVER CBD SEXUAL ASSAULT
Investigators from the Public Protection Branch have arrested and charged a man today in connection with a sexual assault in the CBD over the weekend.
Between 12.50am and 1.15am on Sunday, September 26, a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by an unknown man on Flinders St, near the intersection of Gawler Place.
On Wednesday night police arrested and charged a 30-year-old man of no fixed address with two counts of rape. He has been refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday
Investigations are continuing and police would still like to speak with a witness to the alleged assault who is described as being male, Indian in appearance, about 30 years old, about 170cm tall, of medium build and wearing a turban.
Anyone with information regarding this alleged assault is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestopperssa.com.au. You can remain anonymous.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
POLICE CAR AND SEMI-TRAILER COLLIDE
Occupants of a police car and semi-trailer avoided serious injury when they collided near Napperby.
The vehicles collided outside a Mobil service station on the Augusta Highway just after 4pm on Wednesday afternoon.
Neither the police car’s occupants or truck driver suffered serious injuries.
The collision blocked north and southbound traffic and motorists were asked to avoid the area.
HOMELESS MAN INJURED AT SHELTER
A homeless man was injured at a Whitmore Square shelter.
Police say the man presented with a laceration to his lower back about 2.30pm on Wednesday.
Earlier reports said the man had been stabbed, but further police investigation revealed this was not the case.
The 46-year-old of no fixed address was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police are no longer looking for a suspect.
YOUTH ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING
A 14-year-old driver has been arrested after allegedly crashing at Port Willunga.
The car he is accused of driving ploughed into a tree on Port Rd about 11.50pm Tuesday.
No-one was injured.
The Croydon Park boy was charged with failing to truly answer and driving without a licence.
He was bailed to appear in the Christies Beach Youth Court in December.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
GROUP WREAKS HAVOC AT SHOPPING CENTRE
A police officer was punched and a security guard assaulted as three people were arrested at a shopping centre in Adelaide’s north on Tuesday afternoon.
Just after 4.30pm, police and paramedics were called to Arndale Shopping Centre at Kilkenny after reports two men and a woman had threatened a guard.
Police arrived and, as they were arresting the trio, it is alleged one of the men punched an officer and the woman assaulted a guard.
Neither was injured.
Investigations revealed a member of the public had also allegedly been threatened by one of the men, who was armed with a knife, a short time before the arrest.
Both men – a 26-year-old from Renown Park and 25-year-old from Mount Barker – were charged with aggravated assault, hindering, resisting, disorderly behaviour and carrying an offensive weapon.
Both were refused bail and will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The woman – a 24-year-old from Renown Park – was taken to hospital to be medically assessed, and is expected to be charged with aggravated assault.
STOLEN CAR CRASHES
Three men have been arrested after a stolen Porsche crashed in the northern suburbs on Monday.
The blue SUV Porsche was seen driving erratically on Main North Rd at Salisbury East by patrols in the police helicopter at about 4.45pm.
The speeding car continued on the Northern Expressway before crashing on Womma Rd at Penfield.
Police cordoned off the area and police dog Rusty found two suspects in a nearby shed, and a third in a nearby paddock.
The alleged driver, an Andrews Farm man, 26, was arrested and charged with illegal use, driving disqualified, driving in a dangerous manner, aggravated driving without due care and drink driving.
His passengers, a Christie Downs woman, 24, and a Munno Para West man, 26, were arrested and charged with illegal use.
The driver and male passenger were refused bail and will appear in court on Tuesday.
The woman was bailed to appear in court in November.
The Porsche was stolen in a break-in at Glenelg on Sunday.
HACKHAM BREAK-IN
Three men have been arrested following a church break-in at Hackham West.
Alarms were activated at a church on Beach Rd about 11.30pm Monday.
Police found suspects had forced their way in through a window.
CCTV revealed three men had arrived at the church on bicycles before entering the building and stealing power tools.
Three men matching the description of the suspects in the CCTV were found at Morphett Vale and arrested.
One of their homes was searched, and the stolen property was recovered.
Two Morphett Vale men, 32 and 36, and a Hackham West man, 40, were charged with serious criminal trespass and theft.
They were refused bail and will appear in the Christie Beach Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault in Adelaide early on Sunday morning.
Between 12.50am and 1.15am on Sunday, a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by an unknown man on Flinders St, near the intersection of Gawler Place.
The suspect is described as being male, of subcontinental appearance, about 30 years old, and tall with a slim build. He was wearing a dark long-sleeved top with a white top underneath, and dark jeans.
There was a witness to the alleged assault, who is described as being male, of subcontinental appearance, about 30 years old, about 170cm tall, of medium build and wearing a turban.
Police ask anyone who saw men matching these descriptions in the area on Sunday morning, or who have any information regarding the alleged assault, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestopperssa.com.au. You can remain anonymous.
PAIR ALLEGEDLY HIRED CAR AND BOOKED HOTEL ROOM UNDER FALSE ID
Two men were arrested in a city hotel room for dishonesty offences on Monday.
Police tracked a stolen hire car to a North Tce hotel and two men in a room – a 25-year-old man of no fixed address and a 31-year-old Macclesfield man- were arrested.
It will be alleged the hire car and hotel room were booked under a stolen identity and the hire car was not returned. Police allegedly found numerous identities, stolen mail and ammunition in the hotel room.
The pair were charged with produce prohibited material (identity theft), possess ammunition and hinder police. The younger man also had an outstanding warrant.
Both men will be refused police bail and are expected to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Police thanked the MFS for its assistance in retrieving evidence thrown from the balcony onto a roof below.
POLICE SEEK SUSPECT AFTER ASSAULT ON 80-YEAR-OLD MAN
Police are seeking public help to help identify a man wanted over an attack on an 80-year-old man on a bus in the city.
About 9.30am on Wednesday, September 22, on the 200C bus, the elderly man was assaulted, and required hospital treatment after sustaining a cut to the eye and bruising.
The suspect alighted from the bus at stop D1 on King William St in the city, outside the Commonwealth Bank building.
He is described as of African appearance, dark complexion, 175cm tall, medium build, with short brown-and-blonde dreadlocks.
The man was wearing an olive green coat with a fur-lined hood, patterned shirt, dark pants and white sneakers with red laces. He was carrying a red Auskick backpack and a pink shopping bag.
Anyone who recognises the man or has information that may lead to his identity is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au
TRUCK CRASH KNOCKS OUT POWER AT MARLESTON
A truck has struck a Stobie pole, knocking power lines on to the road, on Galway Ave, Marleston.
The accident, which happened just after 7am, has caused power outages across the suburb, with SA Power Networks saying the estimated service restoration time is 5pm on Monday.
There are no reports of injuries, but motorists are asked to avoid the area.
Meanwhile, in other traffic news, the Eyre Highway was blocked in both directions about 30km west of Nullarbor Roadhouse on Monday, after a road train jackknifed.
Trucks and cars were held up until a heavy tow vehicle arrived.
Motorists were asked to put on their hazard lights to warn approaching drivers.
SERIOUS ASSAULT DURING BREAK-IN
A man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after being assaulted during a break-in north of the CBD on Monday morning.
About 4.15am, two men and two women allegedly broke into a home on Hazel Grove at Ridgehaven and assaulted the residents.
Police said items were stolen from the home before the group fled in a vehicle.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
MAN AND WOMAN FAIL TO STOP FOR POLICE
A man tested positive to cannabis and a woman was also arrested after the pair allegedly failed to stop for police between Kingston SE and Middleton.
Police say they attempted to pull over a Ford sedan on Princes Highway at Kingston SE, about 7.15pm on Friday night, before the car allegedly sped off.
The car was spotted again by police at Hatherleigh, where its tyres were spiked.
It continued to drive slowly on its rims, before eventually becoming bogged on Facey Rd at Millicent.
The driver, a 27-year-old Millicent man, was arrested and charged with driving unlicensed, driving dangerously to evade police and driving in a reckless manner. He also tested positive to cannabis.
His passenger, a 21-year-old Mount Gambier woman, was also arrested and charged with aid and abet dangerous driving to evade police, fail to wear a seatbelt and commit acts likely to cause harm.
Both were bailed to appear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on November 17.
The vehicle was impounded for 28 days.
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