SA crime and emergency services wrap: Fire at Mt Gambier sawmill extinguished
MFS and CFS crews worked overnight to control a significant fire at a Mt Gambier timber mill.
Police & Courts
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South Australia’s rolling police and emergency services news for the week starting Sunday, November 22, 2020.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28
SAWMILL FIRE IN SOUTH EAST
A significant fire that broke out at a Mount Gambier timber mill was contained early Sunday morning.
At least four MFS and CFS crews worked ovenight to control the blaze at the One Forty One Sawmill on Jubilee Highway, which started about 9pm on Saturday.
They were not able to tackle the fire until SA Power Networks arrived on the scene to isolate the power.
An MFS spokesperson said fire was in the electrical transformer but was contained to the yard.
“There is a fair amount of smoke drifting out of the southerly end of woodyards over houses so we’re just suggesting that people stay indoors and keep the window shut.”
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27
MAN DIES IN CRASH AT FREELING
A man has died after crashing into a tree in South Australia’s Mid North on Friday night.
Police say the man, 46, of Freeling, lost control of his Ford Falcon and hit a tree while driving southwest on Leske Road at Freeling.
A passer-by called emergency services after discovering the wreckage just before 11pm – but it is unclear exactly when the crash occurred.
The 46-year-old was found dead at the scene.
Major Crash officers examined the scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal smash.
The man’s death is the 82nd life lost on SA roads, compared with 101 at the same time last year.
TWO ARRESTS OVER SALISBURY NORTH SHOOTING
Hells Angels bikie was one of two people arrested over an incident which left a 26-year-old woman in hospital with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Police say the shooting allegedly occurred at a Salisbury North house, on Nangari Road, on Thursday at 2.30am.
The woman was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Following an investigation by the Serious Organised Crime Brance and Northern District CIB, police located and seized a white Ford Focus.
The driver, a 26-year-old Morphett Vale woman, was charged with discharging a firearm, threats to cause harm and failing to identify the driver of a motor vehicle. She was remanded to appear in court at a later date.
A Mile End man, 30, was charged with impending an investigation and charged with unrelated matters, including driving a defected car.
He was expected to appear in court on Friday.
POLICE INCIDENT HALTS TRAINS, BLOCKS CROSS ROAD
Train services have stopped between Adelaide and Mitcham due to an ongoing police incident at the Unley Park train station.
Services are still operating between Mitcham and Belair.
Police and emergency services are at the scene.
Cross Road is also closed for eastbound traffic at Goodwood Road, and westbound traffic at Unley Road.
Cross Road is currently closed for eastbound traffic at Goodwood Road and westbound traffic at Unley Road, due to a @SAPoliceNews incident.
— SA Infrastructure & Transport (@DFIT_SA) November 27, 2020
Please see an alternative route.https://t.co/o5dnUwkOhz
MORE TO COME
MAN BLOWS MORE THAN FIVE TIMES THE LIMIT
A man from the far north has been caught driving at more than five times the legal limit.
The 30-year-old allegedly blew 0.286 after police visited a service station on the Eyre Highway at Port August West after a call tipping them off about a possible drink driver.
He was also driving unlicensed.
The main was arrested and had his licence disqualified for another 12 months.
He was bailed to appear in court next April.
TWO ARRESTED AFTER SHOPPING SPREE WITH STOLEN DEBIT CARDS
A pair has been arrested after they allegedly went on a shopping spree in Campbelltown – using stolen credit cards to purchase thousands of dollars worth of electronic goods.
Police stopped a black SUV on Clairville Road at Campbelltown around 9.30pm Thursday for a routine traffic stop.
A search of the car uncovered numerous debit and credit cards in various names, and other forms of identification in a purse believed to be stolen. They also found up to $7000 worth of brand new electronic equipment still in new unopened packaging and several receipts which showed all the new items had been purchased with the stolen cards.
A 37-yea-old Adelaide man and a 35-year-old Kapunda woman were arrested and charged with unlawful possession of the credit cards and deception.
Both have been bailed with strict conditions to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.
Police seized all the electronic items and further inquiries will be conducted. .
SHED AND HAY DESTROYED IN BLAZE
A shed and prime mover have been destroyed in a fire in the state’s Mid North overnight.
About 34 volunteer Country Fire Service firefighters attended the Auburn fire at 10pm Thursday where a shed was fully involved in flames.
They were unable to save the hay bales and prime mover in the shed in the fire, which caused $500,000 in damages.
A CFS spokeswoman said: “The CFS have responded to a large number of haystack fires this season and again wants to remind primary producers, it’s really important to regularly monitor the temperatures of hay bales and remove and monitor any that are heating up or showing any signs of steam or smoke.”
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26
FIRE AT ST AGNES WEED HOUSE
Police are guarding a house at St Agnes after a hydroponic cannabis crop sparked a fire overnight.
Residents reported smoke coming from the house on Greenwood Drive around 9.30pm Wednesday.
Fire crews brought the fire in the bedroom under control, finding a hydroponic cannabis crop with around 20 plants and equipment inside the house.
Police guarded the house overnight and will seize the drugs and equipment today.
The fire’s cause is believed to be an electrical fault linked to the drug crop.
A woman, 24, has been reported for cultivating cannabis, possession of prescribed equipment and diverting electricity.
She will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
HOMEOWNER CATCHES STRANGER COOKING IN HER KITCHEN, MAN ARRESTED AFTER PRETENDING TO BE A STATUE
A woman received a shock after waking to find a stranger cooking in her kitchen at Seacombe Gardens. Meanwhile, an intruder has been arrested after pretending to be a statue at South Plympton.
BOYS CAUGHT ROCK THROWING AT MODBURY
Two boys are set to front court following a rock throwing incident on Tuesday morning.
At around 11.30am, three boys were scene throwing rocks at buses passing through the Modbury Bus Interchange.
One rock hit the windscreen of a bus, causing it to shatter.
Moments later, nearby Harkness Avenue, a man reported that his 2013 red and green Honda postie motorbike was stolen from his garage.
Police investigations found one of the youths were responsible for stealing the bike.
At 2pm on Wednesday, a 14-year-old boy was arrested at his Ingle Farm home. An 11-year-old boy at the same address was also reported.
Police are yet to locate the stolen Honda motorcycle with SA registration S01BDP and ask anyone with information on its whereabouts to call police on 131 444.
The 14-year-old boy was charged with being unlawfully on premises, theft of a motor vehicle, illegal use of a motor vehicle and property damage. He was refused police bail and appeared in the Elizabeth Youth Court on Thursday.
The 11-year-old boy from Holden Hill was reported for property damage.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25
MAN DIES AS CAR HITS TREE AND BURST INTO FLAMES
An elderly man has died and his female passenger has sustained serious injuries after crashing MORE INFORMATION
Kenton Valley Road is closed between John Fisher Avenue and Jackson Hill Road. The road closure’s expected to be in place for several hours and motorists are advised to avoid the area. @9NewsAdel pic.twitter.com/ioFz3FEMaZ
— Kate Lambe (@katelambe_) November 25, 2020
THREE ARRESTED AFTER SUMMERTOWN BREAK-IN
Three people have been arrested after police found them in possession of drugs and stolen property in the northern suburbs.
A Summertown business was broken into on Monday morning and power tools were stolen. The suspects fled the scene in a Honda 4WD which had been stolen from a Salisbury North home over the weekend.
Later that morning police stopped a car in Salisbury Downs and officers located some of the property stolen from Summertown. The 43-year-old Salisbury Downs man driving the vehicle was arrested and charged with theft. He appeared in court yesterday and was remanded in custody. Police searched a Salisbury address yesterday and found the remainder of the stolen property, glassware and chemicals consistent with a drug lab.
A man and woman allegedly fled from the house when police arrived but were arrested after a short foot chase.
A 40-year-old man of no fixed address and a 31-yearold woman from Salisbury were arrested and charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass, theft, illegal use of a motor vehicle and manufacturing a controlled drug. The were refused bail to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court today.
ROAD RAGE AT WOODCROFT
A man has been arrested following a road rage incident on Tuesday, where a man allegedly assaulted two people and damaged their car with a metal pole.
Emergency services made their way to Pimpala Road near the intersection of Panalatinga Road at Woodcroft, after reports of a rear-end collision between a 4WD and a van.
After the crash police say the driver of the van got out of his vehicle and assaulted the passenger, a 63-year-old man, and driver, a 67-year-old woman, who were in the 4WD.
He then allegedly hit their car with a metal pole before driving away.
The victims were not seriously injured in the incident and provided a description of the suspect and his registration number.
Police arrested the driver of the van, a 24-year-old Woodcroft man.
He was charged with driving without due care, two counts of aggravated assault, carrying an offensive weapon and property damage.
He was bailed to appear in Christies Beach Magistrate Court in December.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24
SERIOUS CRASH AT VICTOR HARBOR AND PORT NOARLUNGA
Three people were injured in two separate crashes at Victor Harbor and Port Noarlunga on Tuesday.
READ MORE HERE
THREE ASSAULT SHOP OWNER AT PARAFIELD GARDENS
Two teenage boys and a woman have been arrested after allegedly stealing cigarettes and assaulting a Parafield Gardens shop owner.
At around 11.45am, police allege the trio entered the shop on Martins Road and stole a pack of cigarettes.
The shop owner chased the alleged thieves and was punched several times and received injuries to his face and hands. He did not require medical treatment.
The three offenders were seen leaving the area in a silver Holden Astra, which was tracked to a Salisbury North home.
Police arrested a 24-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy all from Salisbury North.
The trio were charged with theft and aggravated assault and were bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court at a later date.
SERVO ROBBED AT KNIFEPOINT AT WELLAND
Two suspects are on the run after they threatened a service station worker with a knife and stole cigarettes at Welland this morning.
The holdup was reported by a worker at the Port Road service station about 2.30am Tuesday, after two teens wearing a cloth over their faces entered the store armed with a knife and demand cigarettes.
They were last seen on foot heading south on Port Road.
The first suspect is described as being of caucasian appearance, aged 17, 150cm tall and a solid build. He was wearing a black-hooded jumper and black pants. The second suspect is of caucasian appearance, aged 17, 170cm tall, with a skinny build and wearing a black-hooded jumper and black pants. Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23
WOMAN ARRESTED FOR DRUGS AND WEAPONS IN MURRAY BRIDGE RAID
A woman has been arrested after police uncovered meth, cannabis, cash and other weapons during a Murray Bridge raid over the weekend.
The Mulgundawah Road home was searched about 4.10am Sunday where officers say they located methamphetamine, dried cannabis, drug paraphernalia, a taser, knuckle dusters and more than $7000 cash.
The items were seized and the 53-year-old female occupant was arrested. She was charged with trafficking in a controlled drug, possessing equipment and two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon.
She was refused bail, to appear in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court later on Monday.
HIGH SCHOOL EVACUATED AT MODBURY
Modbury High School students were evacuated this morning after smoke began billowing from the main building.
Fire crews were called to the Pompoota Road school about 10.30am Monday, where they remain on scene.
A spokeswoman from the Metropolitan Fire Service said crews were yet to find the core of the fire but there are no visible flames in the building.
Crews used thermal imaging cameras to find the source of the fire but were unable to detect anything. The threat of fire has been removed and crews left the site around 12pm.
Students have evacuated the main building at Modbury High School this morning after smoke was noticed coming from the roof space. Fire crews are on scene. More to come. @theTiser
— Dixie Sulda (@dixie_sulda) November 23, 2020
DRIVER ARRESTED FOR SPITTING ON COP
A man has been charged after he allegedly spat in the face of a police officer during an arrest at Clare.
Police investigating the sound of a car hooning around Clare attempted to pull over a Holden for a defective tail light, about 11pm Saturday. The vehicle did not stop and continued to drive to a Clare address.
When the officer approached the driver at the address, he became agitated and was arrested for failing to stop, hindering police and resisting arrest. Police say the man spat in the officer’s face while being placed in the cage car.
A 22-year-old Clare man was further charged with aggravated assault of emergency services worker. He was bailed to appear in the Clare Magistrates Court in December.
His vehicle was inspected for defected light tyres, and structural damage.
ONE ARRESTED TWO ON THE RUN AFTER BREAK-IN
One man has been arrested while police hunt for two other suspects after an alleged break-in on a houseboat at the Riverland.
A member of the public disturbed two men and a woman loading items from a houseboat at Lyrup into a white Holden Astra, around 6am Sunday. Three people left hurriedly leaving some items behind. A check of the nearby houseboat revealed it had been entered unlawfully and numerous items were stolen. Police found the white Holden Astra speeding at Renmark West around 9am Sunday. The occupants refused to stop for police and were pursued for about 30 minutes, before heading south on Twenty Third Street.
Police arrested a 40-year-old Renmark West man on Twenty-First Street fro the alleged break-in. He was charged with serious criminal trespass, theft and breaching his bail. He has been refused police bail and will appear in the Berri Magistrates Court in November.
Investigations are continuing and the Holden Astra is yet to be located. Berri police are seeking information from the local community that may be able to assist with the identity of the remaining man and woman, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
NORTHERN SUBURBS MAN CHARGED WITH CHILD EXPLOITATION
A man from Adelaide’s north will face court today on child exploitation charges after breaching a written directive to not communicate with a child/.
The 28-year-old man was arrested on Sunday by the SA Anti Child Exploitation Team for two counts of possessing child exploitation material, communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity and breaching a written directive not to communicate with a child.
He was refused bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22
CAR ROLLS AT WEST LAKES
A driver who clipped another car and caused it to roll fled the scene of a crash on Saturday night.
At around 9pm, emergency services responded to reports of the collision at the intersection of Bartley Terrace and West Lakes Boulevard at West Lakes Shore.
Police found a woman trapped inside a Mazda hatchback. She was cut from the vehicle before being taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.
A blue Holden sedan was located abandoned nearby in Blue Lake Court, Tennyson.
It is believed to be involved in the crash and was displaying different front and rear registration plates.
Witnesses report seeing the driver run off, and he has not yet been located by police.
Police urge anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
DRINK-DRIVER ROLLS CAR AT HAPPY VALLEY
A drink-driver who rolled their car at Happy Valley attempted to run from the scene.
Police allege that at around 2.40am Sunday morning, a man rolled his Holden Rodeo ute on the corner of Happy Valley Drive and Taylors Road West.
The man fled the scene but was tracked to his house at Flagstaff Hill.
He was breath-tested and returned a positive reading of 0.168.
The 22-year-old man was reported for exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol and leaving the scene of a collision.
He was issued a 12-month immediate loss of licence and will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
FOOT CHASE ENDS IN ARREST
A man who ran from police after a home break-in has been arrested.
At around 4.15am on Sunday morning, police were called to Sullivan Street in Somerton Park after the resident had called saying there was an intruder in his home.
The resident also advised police that his phone and credit card had been stolen.
Police will allege the man fled the house after being confronted by the resident’s RSB guide dog, Primrose.
Primrose began barking at the man, waking up the resident and causing the intruder to flee.
🚨 GOOD DOGGO ALERT 🚨 RSB guide-dog, Primrose, scared away a home invader from her owner’s Somerton Park property this morning. The thief got away with a phone, credit cards and some medicine but was tracked down by police and arrested. @7NewsAdelaide pic.twitter.com/7qESbB700Z
— Rosie Barnett (@rosiebarnett_) November 21, 2020
The 46-year-old Port Adelaide man was spotted running from police and was arrested a short time later in the back yard of a property on Byrne Ave.
The man was charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass, theft, going equipped, illegal interference and unlawfully on premises.
He was refused police bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.
PORT PIRIE COUPLE WANTED
Police are seeking information over an alleged theft at a Port Pirie business.
The incident took place on Monday October 5 by a man and woman, who were captured on CCTV.
Anyone with information to identify the couple should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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