Molotov cocktails thrown in Whyalla Playford | Man reported for multiple L-plate breaches, including drink driving
Police are seeking information from the public about a fire they say was sparked by two molotov cocktails thrown into someone’s driveway this morning.
Police & Courts
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SA crime and emergency services news for the week starting Sunday, August 9.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
MOLOTOV COCKTAILS SPARK WHYALLA BLAZE
Police are appealing to the public for information on a fire in a residential driveway in Whyalla Playford they say was caused by two molotov cocktails.
Police were called to Field Street about 4.45am on Saturday, after reports of two loud bangs outside a resident’s home. When the resident went outside, he found a small fire in his driveway – which he quickly extinguished.
Police at the scene determined two molotov cocktails had been thrown at a caravan parked in the driveway of the property. No damage was caused to the caravan or driveway.
Anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MAN REPORTED FOR BREACHING LEARNER’S PERMIT FOUR TIMES
A man has been reported for breaching his learner’s permit driving conditions four times, after he was pulled over for a random breath test.
Police pulled over a Ford at North Moonta about midnight Saturday for a random breath test.
The 21-year-old Maitland driver returned a blood-alcohol reading of 0.117, more than two times over the usual legal blood alcohol limit of 0.05.
In SA, drivers with an L or P licence must have a zero alcohol concentration.
The man was also reported for four counts of breaching learner driver conditions, after police discovered he held a Queensland learner’s permit. The breaches were recorded when he could not produce the licence when requested, that he had no supervising driver present, and he was not displaying a learner’s plater on the vehicle.
The man’s car was impounded for 28 days. He was suspended from holding a driver’s licence for six months, and he will be summonsed to appear in the Kadina Magistrates Court at a later date.
BUSINESSES DAMAGED IN SUSPICIOUS WOODCROFT FIRE
An arson attack targeting a Woodcroft hairdressing salon has gutted the premises, and damaged multiple other businesses in the block of shops on Saturday morning.
MAN STABBED AT CRAIGMORE AND DAVOREN PARK
Police are investigating an incident where a man was stabbed multiple times in his buttocks and robbed at Craigmore on Friday night. Meanwhile, a man was taken to hospital with lacerations to the head after he was stabbed on Saturday night, before being dumped in Davoren Park.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
BIKIE ARRESTED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
A member of an outlaw motorcycle gang has been charged with drug trafficking and money laundering.
Police allege the man, 41, of Penfield Gardens, sold methamphetamine and laundered money between March 27 and August 21.
Crime Gangs Task Force officers arrested the bikie on Friday and seized more than $10,000 in cash and 150 grams of meth.
He was refused bail to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon.
Detective Superintendent Steve Taylor said: “Outlaw motorcycle gangs are synonymous with crimes such as illicit drug trafficking and dishonesty offences such as money laundering”.
“SAPOL will continue to target these criminal organisations and disrupt their illegal activities.”
It was unclear what gang the bikie was a member of.
ROAD WEATHER ALERT FOR ADELAIDE HILLS
Motorists are asked to take care when driving around the Adelaide Hills on Friday morning, due to low cloud and fog reducing visibility.
The alert was first issued on Thursday night and reissued just after 5.10am, with SA Police advising people to slow down and turn on headlights.
It comes amid wet and gloomy weather, with up to 8mm forecast on Friday. Hail was also reported in some of Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
More than 20mm of rain fell at Mount Lofty over the last 24 hours, while some hail was seen in certain Adelaide suburbs on Friday morning.
The wild weather caused a tree to fall over and block Gorge Road, near Corckscrew Road, in all directions at Paracombe.
A front will bring fresh winds, showers, cold temps and small hail to the agricultural area overnight and tomorrow. Storms are also possible about southeastern districts. A Road Weather Alert has been issued for the Adelaide Hills. For current warnings: https://t.co/lkCBCr10p9 pic.twitter.com/TQSngMm9Lu
— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) August 20, 2020
MAN ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING INTO HOUSE
A man has been arrested after crashing into a parked car, a fence and a house at West Lakes in the early hours of Friday morning.
It is alleged the man, 31, of West Lakes, crashed his Honda sedan into a parked car on Lochside Drive just before 1.30am.
He then crashed into a nearby house and a fence before speeding off.
Police pulled the man over after a short pursuit and he was charged with multiple traffic offences, including driving under the influence and aggravated driving without due care.
Images released by SA Police show significant damage to the front of the car, which has L-plates visible.
The 31-year-old was bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court next month.
MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN KIMBA CRASH
A man is in hospital after rolling his Ford sedan in a paddock near Kimba on Thursday.
The man, 77, of Kimba, was driving on the Eyre Highway, about 3km west of the rural town, when he left the road and rolled his car several times.
He suffered serious injuries and was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
WOMAN CRITICAL AFTER SWAN REACH SMASH
A woman is in a critical condition after becoming trapped in a car for 90 minutes after a crash at Swan Reach on Thursday.
The driver of a Holden Commodore smashed into a tree on the Stott Highway, near Netherleigh Road, about 3.30pm.
A 58-year-old Loxton woman in the passenger seat became trapped in the car for 90 minutes, before she was freed and rushed to the Mannum Hospital. She was then flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a critical condition.
The driver of the car – a 37-year-old man from Loxton – suffered only minor injuries and was taken to the Angaston Hospital for treatment.
Major Crash Officers from Adelaide are investigating the incident.
The Stott Highway was closed to traffic, but reopened about 10pm on Thursday.
SA MAN ARRESTED FOR BORDER BREACH
A Plympton man was found driving a van without number plates on the South Eastern Freeway after re-entering the state illegally, police say.
The man, 26, was travelling from Victoria and refused entry at the Naracoorte border checkpoint at about 11pm on Wednesday.
Police say he did not have a valid permit or reason to enter SA, so he drove back into Victoria.
However, just a few hours later, just before 3am on Thursday, the man was spotted driving a Nissan van without number plates on the South Eastern Freeway.
He was pulled over near Mount Barker, heading towards Adelaide.
Police allege he entered the state illegally.
The man was charged with failing to comply with a direction under the Emergency Management Act and driving an unregistered, uninsured motor vehicle.
He was refused bail and appeared in the Mount Barker Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon.
WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER ‘LOW-SPEED PURSUIT’
A young woman has been arrested for allegedly leading police on a low-speed pursuit through three different parks in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
Officers initially spotted the woman, 20, of Craigmore, driving a gold Holden Commodore on Kanimbla Crescent just after midnight on Thursday.
Police followed the car, and was about to pull it over, when she drove through a reserve toward Turner Drive and then on to Yorktown Rd.
The police patrol activated its emergency lights, but the woman allegedly refused to pull over, sparking a low-speed pursuit.
She was followed on to Blair Park Drive then Carinya Street, before she drove through another park near Chowilla Court.
After leaving the park, police say the 20-year-old crashed into a stationary excavator, as officers moved in and stopped behind her.
It was at this point, police allege, she reversed into the police car, causing damage.
She continued to drive off and into a third reserve, crashing into a parked car in the process.
Her vehicle eventually broke down and came to a stop on Currawong Crescent – but she allegedly tried to escape officers one more time, this time on foot.
She was swiftly arrested by police and taken to hospital as a precaution.
The Craigmore woman is expected to be charged with several offences, including dangerous driving to escape police, failing to stop and driving while disqualified.
ONE INJURED IN MORPHETT VALE FIRE
A man was injured in a house fire at Morphett Vale on Thursday morning.
The blaze broke out on Brigalow Rd about 4.40am.
More than 25 MFS firefighters rushed to the scene to find flames at the front of a single-storey home.
A pet dog sadly perished in the blaze.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
DRUG LAB FOUND AT MORPHETT VALE
A clandestine drug laboratory has been uncovered at Morphett Vale.
Drug and Organised Crime Task Force detectives found the lab at a house on Cocks Avenue about 10pm on Tuesday.
A 42-year-old Morphett Vale man was arrested at the scene and was charged with manufacturing a controlled drug, and trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
MAN ARRESTED OVER MOBILITY SCOOTER THEFT
A man who allegedly stole a mobility scooter from a Vietnam veteran with no legs has been arrested after police chased him down.
The red Pide electric mobility scooter was stolen from an open carport at Para Hills last week.
Ian Condon, 78, lost his legs in a parachuting accident at the Randwick Army Barracks in NSW and relies on his scooter to move around.
After a replacement scooter was donated to Mr Condon while the theft was investigated, a tip-off from the public led police to an Ingle Farm home, where they found a scooter about 1pm on Tuesday.
Officers chased down a 30-year-old Ingle Farm man from the house and he was arrested.
He was charged with theft, unlawful possession and breach of bail.
He was refused bail and appeared at Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
He will reappear in court in September.
ELIZABETH DOWNS HOME GUTTED
A suspicious fire has gutted a vacant house in Elizabeth Downs.
MFS crews rushed to Loftis Road late on Tuesday night when a duplex home was engulfed in flames.
It took 12 firefighters just 10 minutes to contain the blaze but the home was gutted.
Flames that spread to a neighbouring home were extinguished before causing significant damage.
The exact cause of the fire is unknown but the MFS believes it started in the kitchen of the vacant home. Police suspect the fire was deliberately lit.
The damage bill is estimated at $150,000. No one was injured.
Fire Cause Investigators are expected to arrive on Wednesday morning to examine the scene.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
ARREST AFTER RISDON PARK ASSAULT
A man has been arrested after he allegedly seriously assaulted another man police say was known to him. in Risdon Park.
Police were called to Plenty Street about 4pm Tuesday after reports a man had been seriously assaulted by another man, who had allegedly broken into the victim’s house before fleeing the premises prior to police arrival.
The male victim was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries not considered life threatening.
The suspect was located at a Risdon Park house nearby around 6.30pm Tuesday, following investigations.
The 25-year-old Port Augusta man was arrested and charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass, aggravated assault causing harm, and aggravated threats to kill.
He was refused police bail, to appear in Port Pirie Magistrates Court today.
Witnesses are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
PIZZA BAR DESTROYED IN ARSON ATTACK
A pizza bar at the Happy Valley Shopping Centre was destroyed in an arson attack on Tuesday morning, in what is the third attack in as many years against the same eatery.
More than 20 firefighters, from the MFS and CFS, rushed to the scene, on Kenihans Rd, just after 3.30am.
Crews extinguished the blaze in just 15 minutes – but the inside of Zak’s Pizza & Grill was gutted by flames.
The damage was contained to the shop, with some smoke drifting into the mall.
Police believe the fire was deliberately lit, but the exact cause is yet to be determined.
The estimated damage bill is $200,000.
It is the third time this beloved restaurant has been targeted in arson attacks.
In late July, owner Zak Kartabani’s store in Port Noarlunga South was destroyed by an arsonist.
He reopened the eatery in October, before it was yet again destroyed in a second arson attack in early November.
A police spokesman said no links had been established to the 2017 attacks, but investigations were ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
ELIZABETH DOWNS WEED BUST
More than 100 cannabis plants have been uncovered by police at an Elizabeth Downs house.
Police attended a house on Hanson Road about 11.30am today, and found more than 130 plants of various sizes and locations throughout the house.
electricity had been illegally diverted to the property to assist the growing of a hydroponic crop.
EASTERN SUBURBS MAN ARRESTED FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION OFFENCES
Police have arrested an eastern suburbs man on child exploitation charges.
Detectives from the SA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team, arrested and charged a man, 36, from Adelaide’s eastern suburbs and charged him with two counts of aggravated possession of child exploitation material.
The man was granted bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in November.
SUSPECTS ON THE RUN AFTER JEWELLERY HAUL
Police are investigating a break-in at a business premises in Murray Bridge, where thousands of dollars worth of jewellery was taken – releasing CCTV images of the suspects involved.
A business on Adelaide Road was broken into about 7.40pm Sunday, July 26.
Thousands of dollars worth of jewellery was taken during the incident.
Police say the two offenders were wearing distinctive clothing, including one wearing a black T-shirt, black pants and a hat, and the other a fluorescent green top and a black cap.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MAN ARRESTED FOR SNOOPING
A man has been arrested for allegedly walking onto properties and looking into cars at Mannum on the weekend.
Police received reports a man was behaving suspiciously, walking up and down driveways on Bretag St at Mannum, attempting to enter motor vehicles.
Police found a 47-year-old Mannum man and charged him with three counts of illegal interference and being unlawfully on premises. He was granted bail, to appear in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court in October. Police encourage anyone with information about these incidents to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
COPPER THEFT IN THE MURRAYLANDS
Police are investigating the theft of more than 100m of copper cabling from a business at Renmark West.
The theft occurred between Thursday, August 13, and Friday August 14, where about 120m of copper cabling was stolen from the Rialto St business in Renmark West.
Police are also investigating an unrelated matter in the region, where offenders broke into a shed in Coonalpyn. Between Wednesday August 12 and Saturday August 15, offenders broke into a shed on Tauragat Well Rd. Items reported stolen include a gas bottle, among other things. Anyone with information on either incidents is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
POLICE INVESTIGATE FREEWAY TRUCK
A truck that stopped in an arrester bed on the South Eastern Freeway on Tuesday morning will be investigated by police.
The truck driver, a 58-year-old man from Happy Valley, called police after he was forced to stop his vehicle in an arrester bed at Brownhill Creek just after 12.30am on Tuesday.
The man was not injured and no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
Officers from the Heavy Vehicle Enforcement Section will investigate the matter.
The truck was towed away from the scene.
Any witnesses are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MONDAY, AUGUST 17
NOTEPAD DRIVER COPS BIG FINE
A man has been hit with a $724 fine after he was caught reading a notepad while driving an unregistered car.
A police officer who was a passenger in a patrol vehicle was able to snap a picture of the driver on Grand Junction Rd at Northfield.
Officers stopped the driver and he was fined.
VIDEO: MAWSON LAKES ROBBERY SUSPECTS
Men wearing bandannas are wanted over a robbery at Mawson Lakes last month.
Video of the incident has been released by police as investigators push to identify the suspects.
The victim was walking on Main Street when he was approached by two men about 3am on June 5.
Police say the men threatened the victim before stealing his wallet and phone.
The victim ran off from the offenders into a nearby UniSA building.
Footage shows the suspects follow the victim inside the building.
The suspects are both described as caucasian and about 175cm tall.
One of the men was in his late 20s with short dark hair and a medium build. He wore a red bandana over his face.
The second man had short brown hair and was of medium build. He was wearing a bandana over his face.
Anyone who recognises the suspects is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
SERIOUS CRASH AT SANDERGROVE
Three people have suffered critical injuries in a two-car crash at Sandergrove.
Two cars collided at the intersection of Alexandrina and Brookdale roads, near Strathalbyn, just before 9.20am on Monday.
SMELL OF WEED LEADS TO ARREST
A man has been reported for cultivating cannabis after a search from police – prompted by the smell of cannabis – lead them to plants being grown hydroponically at Redhill, near Crystal Brook, last week.
Police were at the house for an unrelated matter at Redhill around 11.00am Thursday when they detected a strong smell of cannabis coming from the house.
A warrant was issued to search the property, where police uncovered a large quantity of dried cannabis, along with scales, and three plants being grown hydroponically.
They also located 16 electrical ballast boxes, 16 hydroponic light shades, 15 light globes and other prescribed hydroponic equipment.
A 32-year-old man was reported for cultivating cannabis, possessing a large commercial quantity of cannabis for sale, and possessing prescribed hydroponic equipment.
He was also fined for the unlawful possession of fireworks, and insecure ammunition.
He will appear in court at a later date.
FIRE DESTROYS HOME AT HALBURY
A house has been destroyed in a fire at Halbury, just west of the Clare Valley.
About 20 CFS volunteers responded to the blaze, which broke out at the home on Davies Road just before 9pm on Sunday.
The home was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived, but it was swiftly contained and did not spread to neighbouring properties.
The damage bill is estimated at $200,000 – and a cause has not yet been established.
‘SUSPICIOUS’ MAN ARRESTED AT MELROSE PARK
A man wearing dark clothing and riding slowly down a street in Melrose Park has been arrested after he was allegedly found with prescription medication in someone else’s name.
The man, 49, of Edwardstown, was seen riding his bike and acting suspiciously on Price St just before 1.30am on Monday.
Police found him on Regent Street, where he was searched, with officers finding prescription medication in someone else’s name
Checks revealed he had also allegedly breached bail conditions.
The 49-year-old was charged with unlawful possession and breaching bail. He is due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
‘KNIFE-WIELDING’ MAN ARRESTED AT OAKLANDS PARK
A man has been arrested for allegedly brandishing a knife and cutting another man’s leg during an altercation at the Oaklands Park Railway Station.
The altercation between a group of people started at the train station on Murray Terrace about 2pm on Sunday.
Police allege one man, 39, of Sheidow Park, pulled out a knife and assaulted another man, 19, of Woodside.
The 19-year-old suffered a minor cut to his leg and was treated at the scene.
Meanwhile, the Sheidow Park man was detained for a mental health assessment and is expected to be charged with aggravated assault.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
PORT PIRIE BREAK-IN
A hardware store in Port Pirie has been broken into, with several items stolen.
Police say the store on Esmond Rd was broken into between 2am and 6am on Sunday.
Several items were stolen, including barbecues, a Makita electric lawnmower, a Yardforce petrol lawnmower, a Yardforce pressure washed and various power tools.
The suspect left on foot using a trolley to transport the items.
If you have any information, contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.