Home in Hackham West destroyed in suspected arson attack
Firefighters have battled a house blaze at Morphett Vale this morning – after another home was destroyed last night in a suspected arson attack just a few kilometres away.
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SA crime and emergency services news for the week starting Sunday, July 26.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
FIRE TEARS THROUGH MORPHETT VALE HOME
A couple in the process of moving into their new Morphett Vale home have arrived to find it engulfed in flames.
MFS and CFS firefighters were called to the home on Powell Place just after 8am on Saturday.
The occupants, who the MFS says was just moving into the home, returned to find the property burning.
The blaze was extinguished in 30 minutes and crews managed to save two pet dogs and one cat. Two other cats died in the fire.
One occupant was treated at the scene for minor burns and smoke inhalation. They were taken to hospital for further treatment.
Fire Cause investigators say flammable items were left on a stove, which was mistakenly switched on – causing an estimated damage bill of $200,000.
Nearby resident Dawn Johncock said she saw thick, white smoke coming from the back of the burning property, blanketing the area on Saturday morning.
“Neighbours were sort of running everywhere and the owners weren’t home,” she said.
Ms Johncock said they saw the occupants moving into the home on Thursday.
“They took the removalist truck back and came home to the house on fire.”
A couple who were moving into their Morphett Vale house today have lost everything after a fire started in their kitchen. Sadly 2 of their cats didn’t survive @7NewsAdelaide pic.twitter.com/QFIDi6K9um
— Peter Caldicott (@pcaldicott7) August 1, 2020
HOME GUTTED IN SUSPECTED ARSON ATTACK
A home in Hackham West has been gutted in a suspected arson attack on Friday night.
The blaze broke out just before 9pm at a single-storey home on Narvik Crescent.
The home was engulfed, with flames shooting out of the windows, when 13 MFS firefighters arrived at the scene.
It took crews half-an-hour to fully extinguish the blaze, which police say is suspicious.
No one was home at the time of the fire. The damage bill is estimated at $200,000 and police are investigating the incident.
FRIDAY, JULY 31
VENUE FINED FOR BREACH
Another hefty fine has been dished out to a CBD venue for a COVID-19 breach.
On Friday, compliance officers fined a Hindley Street venue $5060 sanction for a breach of the Public Activities Direction.
The team investigated the business after a complaint from a member of the public.
Footage shows the venue operating as a nightclub in contravention of the State Coordinator’s direction.
Dancing, alcohol drinking and loud music was being played. Under the current directions this is banned.
The breach has been referred to the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner to consider potential disciplinary action.
Compliance officers will be out in force over the weekend.
CAR CRASHES DOWN HILL ON GORGE RD
A teenager has escaped with just a minor hand injury after crashing into a guard rail and plunging about 30 metres down an embankment at Paracombe on Friday morning.
The male driver, 19, of Paralowie, crashed his Mitsubishi sedan into the rail on Gorge Rd just after 1.30am on Friday.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and helped him back up the embankment.
His male passenger, 19, of Elizabeth East, was uninjured and standing on the road when crews arrived.
A tow truck took two hours to retrieve the car, which was removed by 11am Friday.
Police blocked the road while the wreckage was being cleared and assisted in co-ordination efforts. The passenger in the car at the time of the incident remained at the scene while it was cleared. He did not wish to speak to media.
MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED BREAK-IN
A man has been arrested for allegedly breaking into a Port Adelaide home and stealing a garden statue on Thursday night.
Police responded to an alarm activation on Dale St just after 11pm.
The man, 58, of Port Adelaide, allegedly broke in through the back door of the home.
When officers arrived, they found the man still in the back yard holding the garden statue, police say.
He was charged with serious criminal trespass and theft. He will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court in September.
THURSDAY, JULY 30
NIGHTCLUB FINED $5000 FOR COVID-19 BREACH
Police have slammed an Adelaide nightclub for blatantly ignoring COVID-19 restrictions and allowing revellers to mosh pit.
COVID-19 compliance officers fined the unnamed North Terrace club $5000 on Thursday for the “significant breach”.
Police were tipped off after a complaint from a member of the public.
Footage taken from the club shows people in close contact dancing and running into each other.
“The complete failure of the venue to comply, potentially puts the public at risk and the licensing sector at risk of further restrictions,” a police statement said.
The club’s breach has been referred to the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner to consider possible disciplinary action.
Police say compliance teams will be out in force over the weekend to catch other venues breaking the rules.
They can be fined, hit with legal action or be forced to close if found to be in breach of restrictions.
MOTORBIKE AND CAR COLLIDE
A motorcyclist has been taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries after his motorbike collided with a car at Salisbury Heights
The incident occurred on Main North Road just after 7pm on Thursday 30.
Police say the motorcycle rider suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and is being treated in the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
The man driving the car was not injured.
SERIOUS CRASH AT BIRDWOOD
Police are investigating a serious crash at Birdwood.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Randell and Peake Roads after reports a car hit a tree just after 5.40pm on Thursday.
The driver was seriously injured and taken to hospital in a stable condition. The passenger had minor injuries.
Major Crash officers examined the scene for several hours.
TRAFFIC STOP LEAD TO DRUG HAUL
Two men have been charged with drug trafficking during a routine traffic stop near Port Pirie on Wednesday.
Police stopped a silver Holden travelling north along the Augusta Highway around 2.15pm Wednesday. The driver, a 30-year-old Whyalla Sturt man allegedly returned a positive test to cannabis and methamphetamine. His sample will be sent to Forensic Science SA for further analysis. Police searched the car, and allegedly located 2.5kg of cannabis.
The driver, and a 38-year-old male passenger, also from Whyalla Sturt, were charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis.
They were bailed to appear at the Port Pirie Magistrates Court in October.
KESWICK CRASH CAUSES DELAYS
A two-car crash in Keswick caused delays for motorists this morning, as traffic was restricted to one lane in both directions while they cleared the scene.
Police and paramedics were called to the intersection of South Road and Richmond Road about 9.30 this morning after reports of a two-car crash.
Traffic was restricted to one lane in both directions at the intersection, but has since reopened.
🚨Traffic Alert🚨 There has been a 2 car crash at the intersection of South Rd / Richmond Rd #Keswick causing major traffic delays. South bound down to one lane, north bound flowing, but slow. Probably best to avoid if you can!
— South Australia Police (@SAPoliceNews) July 30, 2020
FATAL CRASH AT DUBLIN
A man has died and three other people were injured in a crash at Dublin on Wednesday evening. More details on the crash can be read here.
MAN ARRESTED ON CHILD SEX OFFENCES
A man has been arrested after he was allegedly found in possession of child exploitation material in the Riverland on Wednesday.
Detectives from the Public Protection Branch arrested the man, 33, for one count of possession of child exploitation material.
The man was refused police bail, and will appear in the Berri Magistrates Court later today.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
UNIT FIRE AT HACKHAM WEST
A person has been burned in a unit fire that engulfed the top level of a two-storey home at Hackham West.
The MFS received multiple triple-0 calls about flames coming from the unit on Pergeura Court just before 3pm.
Occupants evacuated but one person was burned. They have minor injuries.
Twelve firefighters used high pressure hoses to extinguish the threat in 15 minutes. A gas bottle that caught fire in the unit’s front yard was also extinguished.
The second storey is badly burnt while the ground level has smoke damage.
An MFS spokeswoman said the fire started when an occupant accidentally dropped flammable liquid on a radiator.
Damage is estimated at $80,000.
SERIOUS CRASH AT DUBLIN
There has been a serious two-car crash at Dublin with reports of injuries.
Police and emergency services responded to the intersection of Port Wakefield Highway and Port Parham Road just before 6.30pm on Wednesday.
Northbound traffic on Port Wakefield Highway has been impacted.
MORE TO COME
DRUGS AND CASH HAUL FOUND AT PORT ADELAIDE
Detectives have cracked an alleged criminal network operating out of a Port Adelaide business and say an interstate truckie was plotting to use his essential worker status to drive drugs worth millions of dollars across the country.
Three men were arrested on Tuesday over links to 160kg of cannabis, half a kilogram of cocaine and $20,000 uncovered at a Lipson St property located about 500m from Port Adelaide police station.
P-PLATER CRASHES INTO SEVERAL CARS
A back tyre of a Holden Commodore driven by a P-plater flew off and smashed into a parked car at Valley View on Wednesday morning, police say.
The male driver, 20, of Highbury, was spotted speeding on Walkleys Rd just before 12.30am.
Police lost sight of the car before it was seen again on Cornell Ave.
The 20-year-old crashed into a Nissan sedan parked on the street before crashing into a station wagon parked in a front yard.
Police say one of the rear tyres on the Commodore broke off and hit a Hyundai sedan parked in front of a house.
The P-plater was reported for driving without due care and fail to maintain vehicle standards due to the poor condition of the tyres.
He will appear in court at a later date.
POLICE TARGET ROAD USERS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT
Police will target road users risking their lives by not wearing a seat belt this weekend in Operation Belt Up. It comes after The Advertiser last week reported a quarter of people who died in a car crash this year were not wearing a seat belt.
Research conducted over a 10-year period reveals not wearing a seat belt is an active decision motivated by feelings of freedom, control, and enjoyment.
Superintendent Boy Gray, officer in charge of Traffic Services, said vehicle occupants are 10 times more likely to be killed in a crash if they’re not wearing a seat belt.
Operation Belt Up is a three-day statewide operation and Supt Gray said it would focus equally on regional areas as well as metro.
“Research shows that regional drivers are more likely to choose not to wear a seatbelt when they are transitioning from a private property to a public road,” Supt Gray said.
Nearly 70 per cent of road deaths occur in rural areas.
The operation will begin on Saturday and end on Monday.
DRINK DRIVER BLOWS FIVE TIMES OVER THE LIMIT
A disqualified driver who blew more than five times over the legal blood alcohol limit has been reported by police in Port Augusta.
Police patrols saw a Holden Commodore driving towards them in the centre of the road on Carlton Parade about 1.15am Wednesday.
Police conducted a U-turn, and pulled the car over to speak to the driver.
Checks revealed the 26-year-old Port Augusta man who was driving the car had a disqualified driver’s licence. The man returned a positive breath test of 0.281, more than five times over the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.05.
The man was reported for drink driving and driving disqualified. He was issued a 12 month loss of licence, and his car was impounded for a month.
TUESDAY, JULY 28
MAN WANTED OVER DELI ROBBERY
Police believe a masked man wanted over an armed deli robbery at Woodcroft was captured on CCTV when he boarded a bus after the incident.
On Tuesday, police released CCTV images of the suspect in a bid to uncover his identity.
The man allegedly used a knife to threaten staff and steal cash and cigarettes from the deli on Investigator Drive just before 1pm on July 14.
The suspect was wearing a dark grey hooded top and black trackpants. He fled south on foot along Investigator Drive afterwards.
Police say he boarded a bus a short time later when the images were captured.
Anyone with information on the robbery to asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
HOUSE FIRE IN STATE’S UPPER SOUTH-EAST
A Bordertown home has been badly damaged by fire.
Country Fire Service crews were called to a property on English Street just before 2pm on Tuesday.
More than 15 firefighters responded the house which quickly became engulfed in flames.
Crews were able to stop the fire from spreading to adjoining properties.
It is believed the blaze ignited in a front room. No one was home at the time.
Fire Cause investigators inspected the house. Damaged is estimated at $190,000.
MONDAY, JULY 27
INDECENT ASSAULT AT MILLSWOOD
A teenage girl was indecently assaulted at a park at Millswood on Sunday afternoon.
Police say the girl was attacked by an unknown man at Orphanage Park on Mitchell St before he ran off towards the creek area.
He is described as of caucasian appearance, about 20 years old, 170cm tall and with very short hair.
He was wearing a dark green jumper with red, yellow and black stripes and grey tracksuit pants.
Patrols searched the area and were unable to find the man but have released this image of the suspect.
Anyone who may have seen the man in the area on Sunday afternoon is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MAN ARRESTED OVER MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR THEFT
A man who allegedly scammed wine lovers out of almost $6m has been arrested.
Detectives from Serious and Organised Financial Crime Investigation Section arrested the man on Monday for theft and deception.
Police will allege the man received almost $6m for wine he failed to supply to victims.
The 51-year-old from the Barossa Valley was charged with 15 counts of theft and one count of deception.
He was bailed to appear at Tanunda Magistrates Court in September.
DUPLEX FIRE AT WOODVILLE SOUTH
A dog and cat have been rescued from a burning home after a fire ignited and caused $300,000 damage at Woodville South.
MFS crews were called to the duplex property on Fife Street after reports of flames coming from the roof just after 5pm on Monday.
Six trucks carrying 26 firefighters responded to the scene and found the house fully engulfed with flames threatening an adjoining home.
A dog and cat were rescued and reunited with their owner who wasn’t home when the blaze started.
The threat was contained in 15 minutes and took a further 45 to extinguish.
The second home has smoke damage.
Fire Cause investigators will examine the scene.
MAN ARRESTED OVER COVID-19 BREACH
A man who allegedly breached a COVID-19 direction by using a car with blacked out number plates to speed through a border checkpoint has been arrested in the state’s upper Mid North.
Police at the Oodla Wirra border checkpoint witnessed a blue Toyota and drive on the wrong side of the Barrier Highway and over the border about 7.15pm on Friday.
Police followed the vehicle and found it abandoned in bushes off a dirt road a short time later.
The alleged driver, a 30-year-old man from Elizabeth Downs, was arrested after he appeared from nearby bushes.
Police say the man was a non-essential traveller who returned to South Australia from New South Wales and was meant to be in quarantine at Elizabeth Park.
He was charged with failing to comply with quarantine under the Emergency Management Act, driving at dangerous speed, obscure number plate, driving unlicensed and breach of bail.
The man tested positive for methamphetamine, police say, before his car was impounded for 28 days.
He was refused police bail and was expected to appear at Port Pirie Magistrates Court on Monday.
‘DRINK AND DRUG DRIVERS’ CAUGHT
A man who allegedly drove over tram tracks with his lights off to avoid a breath test was more than six times over the legal alcohol limit when he was arrested on foot.
The man was one of 33 people caught drink driving during a police blitz over the weekend.
Police say the 30-year-old of no fixed address tried to avoid the Port Rd testing site and disobeyed directions from officers.
He allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.329 and had an expired driver’s licence. He was refused bail and was expected to appear in court on Monday.
Operation Stop Drink Drug Drive ran between from Saturday to Sunday across the state.
There were 17 positive results for drugs including a 26-year-old learner driver from Mount Gambier who tested positive for THC.
Police performed 4502 alcotests and 195 drug screening tests with 52 positive results.
Twenty drivers had their licenses cancelled on the spot while 21 vehicles were impounded.
SUNDAY, JULY 26
ELDERLY MAN DIES IN CRASH
An elderly man has died after crashing into a tree on a country road in the Adelaide Hills.
Police were called to Strathalbyn Road in Biggs Flat about 10.15am after a car crashed into a tree.
It is understood the driver and sole occupant of the car was left trapped in the crash.
The 88-year-old Stirling man died at the scene.
Strathalbyn Road was closed between Dolman Road and Hampton Road for several hours as emergency services responded the crash.
Major Crash investigators examined the scene.
This man’s death is the 57th life lost on SA roads compared to 66 at the same time last year.
TWO MEN KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS IN BRAWL
Two men have been left bleeding and unconscious on the street and another man is in custody after a brawl on Adelaide’s party strip.
Police security witnessed the fight start just after 2am on Sunday while viewing security cameras which monitor Hindley Street.
Police patrols and ambulance crews were sent to the scene where they found one man knocked out and another who had just regained consciousness. Both had been punched in the head during a fight.
Toseef Subhania witnessed the fight from his shop on Hindley St.
“They started shouting and pushing each other before throwing punches,” he said.
“Both men were bleeding, one had blood coming down the side of his head.
“A person came over and used a cloth to try and stop the flow of blood. People were coming over to try and help.”
Mr Subhania said Hindley Street was a great place to work most of the time but became scary when fights broke out.
Both men were taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment and their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
A 27-year-old Seaton man was arrested at the scene. He was already on bail not to enter Hindley Street.
He has been charged with two counts of assault as well as breaching bail.
He was refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.
Investigations are continuing into the fight and anyone who may have witnessed the brawl, or has mobile phone camera footage of the incident, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or by going online.
MAN ARRESTED FOR DRINK-DRIVING TWICE IN ONE NIGHT
A Mount Gambier man has been arrested and charged after being caught drink-driving twice on the same night.
The driver is accused of crashing into other vehicles and mounting the kerb in the township of Tarpeena about 12.40am on Saturday.
A patrol found the man still in his car at the scene of the crash. He returned a blood alcohol reading of .204, more than four times the legal limit.
He was reported for drink-driving, lost his licence for 12 months and had his vehicle impounded.
Only hours later police spotted the man again, this time behind the wheel of a different car not far from his Mount Gambier address.
He recorded a blood alcohol reading of .176, still more than three times the legal limit.
He was arrested and charged with drink-driving and driving disqualified. The second vehicle was also impounded.
He was granted bail and will appear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in August.