Two people arrested, charged after standoff at ‘Divine Creator’ property at Sandy Creek

Two people will face court after a routine audit escalated at a property north of Adelaide adorned with strange warning signs. But what do they actually mean?

Two people have been charged after a routine firearms audit escalated at a Sandy Creek property emblazoned with signs claiming “Divine Right” over the land.

Heavily armed STAR Group officers were called to the “high-risk incident” involving weapons at the Mugge Rd property, about 7km east of Gawler, around 8.30am.

There were fears at least one person in the home had access to firearms after threats were allegedly made.

Chief Inspector Lauren Leverington said officers had gone for a scheduled firearms audit but had been forced to fall back and call in STAR Group officers as the situation escalated and turned into a two-hour standoff.

Police at the Sandy Creek property. Picture Jason Katsaras

“When the patrol arrived, the occupants of the property became hostile towards police and as a result police withdrew from the premises,” Insp Leverington said.

Police retreated the property for safety reasons after they were threatened by occupants, and STAR group officers and negiotatiors assisted to safely remove them from the home without incident.

Two people from Concordia were arrested – a man, 41, and a woman, 42, who were in a relationship.

The woman was charged with threats to cause harm, assaulting a prescribed emergency worker and hindering police. The man was charged with failing to comply with a condition of a firearm licence, insecure ammunition, contravening a condition of the firearms code of practice and hindering police. The woman did not apply for bail and will appear in Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Friday. Her co-accused was bailed to appear in court in November.

Some of the signs outside of Sandy Creek property. Picture Jason Katsaras

The sign at the front of the Sandy Creek property. Picture Jason Katsaras

After the pair was arrested, police raided the property and seized 13 firearms including shotguns, rifles, a replica firearm and ammunition.

Signs at the property said anyone working for or loyal to the “Satanic State” was barred, as well as those “loyal to criminal Banking organisations”.

“This Living Land and all Divine Creation that lives here and all human creation that exists here, forms part of Our Divine Creators Kingdom under Divine Domain and lives under Divine Protection,” another sign read.

Police respond to a “high-risk incident” at Sandy Creek. Picture: Georgia Westgarth/Nine News Adelaide

DEVELOPING: A ‘high-risk’ incident is unfolding at Sandy Creek with police moving in on a home. Officers are conducting searches across the property. The latest in 7NEWS Adelaide at 4pm and 6pm on @ch7adelaide | https://t.co/8ftPfGgvkq#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/0Dz2dr4AQf

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) September 23, 2021

Police at the scene of a “high-risk incident” at a Sandy Creek property. Picture: Jason Katsaras

One of the sign on the ground outside the Sandy Creek property. Picture: Georgia Westgarth/Nine News Adelaide

Two other people at the property were detained but released without charge.

Another woman at the property, of Brooklyn Park, 33, assisted with police inquiries on Thursday afternoon.

The charged couple’s son reportedly told media on the scene that six officers initially arrived.

Inspector Leverington said the nature of the alleged threats to police were serious enough to warrant calling in STAR Group officers.

“Considering we were there for lawfully owned firearms that elevates us in how we respond to particular incidents.”

The Barossa Valley Way was closed for a short period of time between Williamstown Rd and Kalperri Rd but has since reopened to traffic.

Chief Inspector Leverington said the public was not in danger during the operation.

“In terms of how we respond, we certainly ensure people are safe in the area. We had a lot of police in the area this morning and there’s no further threats,” she said.