Stolen car dumped in ocean at Port Augusta | Man arrested over hit-run on North Tce
A car stolen in Port Augusta has been found ... at the wrong end of the boat ramp. Meanwhile, a man has been arrested over a hit-run on North Tce.
Police & Courts
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SA crime and emergency services news for the week starting Sunday, September 13.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
STOLEN CAR DUMPED IN OCEAN
A stolen car has been dumped in an unusual spot in Port Augusta.
The Holden Rodeo ute was discovered submerged at the end of the Carpenters Landing boat ramp, off La France Terrace, about 7.30am on Saturday.
The boat ramp was closed for several hours as the SA Police Water Operations team from Adelaide helped retrieve the vehicle.
Boat operators already on the water were forced to use alternative boat ramps in the area during the operation.
At first, police were unsure how long the car has been in the water but once recovered, checks revealed it had been stolen from Port Augusta earlier in the morning.
Investigations are continuing.
MAN ELECTROCUTED AT TAILEM BEND
A man has been electrocuted in a workplace accident at Tailem Bend.
Police and SA Ambulance paramedics were called to the incident at 1.15pm on Friday.
The state’s workplace health and safety regulator, SafeWork SA, confirmed that a 40-year-old man died at the scene.
SafeWork inspectors have launched an investigation into the man’s death.
“SafeWork SA offers condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this distressing and sad time,” a spokeswoman said.
She said no further information would be provided while the investigation was ongoing.
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
MAN ARRESTED OVER HIT-RUN
A 21-year-old man has been taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after he was the victim of a hit-run on North Terrace on Saturday morning.
The man was hit by a blue Holden Commodore sedan near the Railway Station about 4.20am.
He was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for scans and observation.
The driver of the Commodore was involved in an earlier assault on Morphett St.
Police are investigating whether to the two incidents were linked and arrested a 24-year-old man from Elizabeth North on Saturday afternoon.
The man is expected to be chargedwith causing harm by dangerous driving, leaving the scene of an accident, endangering life, failing to render assistance at a crash and driving while disqualified.
The blue Commodore is yet to be found.
Anyone with information that may help police with their inquiries should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it online.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
TODDLER DIES IN MOUNT JAGGED CRASH
A toddler has died after being struck by a vehicle on a rural property at Mount Jagged.
The child was hit by the family four-wheel-drive on the property on Victor Harbor Road at about 3.45pm on Friday.
Police and SA Ambulance paramedics were called to the scene on Friday afternoon.
Despite the efforts of paramedics at the scene, the 17-month-old girl could not be saved.
Major Crash investigators attended the scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The little girl’s parents told Sunday Mail of their heartbreak at losing their cheeky, really cuddly and affectionate daughter.
MAN SHOT IN LEG, CAR FOUND BURNT OUT
A man has been shot in the leg and the car used to take him to hospital later found burnt out.
The Elizabeth North man, 31, presented at Lyell McEwin Hospital with a suspected gunshot wound to the lower left leg just before 10pm on Thursday.
His injury is serious but not life threatening. He was driven to hospital in a white 2019 Hyundai Kona hatchback with Victorian registration 1PY4WQ.
That car was found torched in a paddock on William Road, Gould Creek, about 4.30am on Friday.
Police said the shooting was not a random incident and it is believed all parties are known to each other. There are no suggestions the incident is linked to any outlaw bikie gangs.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
SPATE OF WESTERN SUBURBS BREAK-INS
Police are investigating a series of break-ins across the western suburbs.
An unknown man broke into 18 businesses in the early hours of the morning between May 20 and June 12.
The business break-ins were at Torrensville, Henley Beach, Kilburn, St Clair, Seaton, Port Adelaide, Findon, Fulham Gardens and Allenby Gardens.
The man gained entry to the stores and then crawled along the ground to access the cash registers and safes and stole cash.
The man is described as of slim build, and on each occasion appears to be wearing a cap, black striped hooded jumper, black pants, black gloves and Asics sneakers.
Anyone with information about the incidents or the suspect should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online
CAR SMASHES INTO FENCE AT KILBURN
Police are searching for the driver of a car who crashed into a fence at Kilburn in the early hours of Friday morning.
CCTV footage captures the moment the driver of a Ford Falcon of Grand Junction Road loses control when turning left on to Churchill Road just before 1.30am on Friday.
The car then crashes into the fence of a business and three people are seen leaving the car and walking away from the wreckage.
Police were only able to find two men, aged 44 and 34, who claimed to be passengers.
Investigations are continuing.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
MAN FOLLOWS FEMALE JOGGER
A woman out for a morning run at Sellicks Beach was followed by a man with a long beard in a ute on Thursday morning.
The woman was running on Gulfview Road about 9am, when she noticed the driver of a white ute slowly following her for several minutes.
The driver never spoke and was last seen driving towards Country Road.
He is described as being caucasian, aged in his mid 40s and with a long dark beard. The ute is believed to be a newer model white dual cab with a canopy.
Police searched the area but could not find the suspect.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER ELDERLY WOMAN ASSAULTED
A man has been arrested after allegedly assaulting an elderly woman in Victor Harbor last month, causing her to break her wrist.
A woman in her 70s was walking her dog along the footpath of the esplanade, near Island Street, on Sunday August 30 around 7am when a man riding a bike threatened the woman, before ramming his bike into the woman causing her to fall.
The victim broker her wrist in the incident and was taken to hospital for treatment.
She was assisted by a couple of passers by.
Police arrested a 73-year-old Victor Harbor man on Thursday.
He was charged with aggravated assault causing harm, and was bailed to appear in the Victor Harbor Magistrates Court in November.
Police thank members of the public for their assistance in tracking down the offender.
TWO BIKIE ASSOCIATES ARRESTED FOR ARSON
Two men with associations to outlaw motorcycle gangs have been arrested following an investigation into car fires and property damage across Croydon Park, Milang and Elizabeth North over the past few days.
Two items that were set alight were thrown at a Croydon Park house on Saturday just before 11pm, causing a minor damage to a window after one of them exploded, police say.
A Holden Cruze was set alight at Milang at around 12.24am on Monday, police allege.
Two hours later, a Mitsubishi Magna and Mercedes station wagon were set alight at Elizabeth North, causing extensive damage to both vehicles.
Police today arrested a 29-year-old and a 20-year-old, both males from Murray Bridge as suspects. They were charged with two counts of arson, and one count of property damage.
They were refused bail to appear in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court today.
WOULD-BE THIEF LOCKED INSIDE CAR
A man who allegedly broke into a BMW sedan at Pooraka was arrested after the owner locked him inside the car.
The BMW owner was at a shop on Montague Rd about 9.30pm on Wednesday, when he looked out and saw someone inside his car.
He then locked his car remotely and called police.
Patrols found the alleged offender – a 31-year-old Elizabeth Grove man – inside the car as the owners held the doors closed.
The man is was charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle, and will appear in court in November.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER CRASH AT WHYALLA NORRIE
A man has been arrested and charged with numerous traffic offences after crashing his dirt bike in Whyalla Norrie.
Police saw a red Honda dirt bike travelling on Hincks Avenue around 7pm on Tuesday.
The bike did not have a registration plate and the lights were switched off.
Soon after, the bike was located on nearby Grundel Street, where it had crashed.
The rider, a 21-year-old Whyalla man, was located nearby and suffered minor cuts and bruises in the crash. He was not wearing protective clothing.
He was charged with driving an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle, driving unlicensed, driving without due care, and driving in possession of a prohibited weapon. He was found with an extendible baton. His bike was impounded.
He was bailed to appear in the Whyalla Magistrates Court in November.
MAN ARRESTED FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION OFFENCES
A northern suburbs man was been arrested for disseminating child exploitation material. .
Detectives from the SA Joint Anti Exploitation Team this morning arrested a 32-year-old man from Adelaide’s northern suburbs and charged him with four counts of disseminating child exploitation material, and two counts of encouraging another person to access a website with child exploitation material.
The man was bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in October.
P-PLATER CRASHES INTO ALMA TAVERN
A teenage driver will face court after losing control of his car before crashing into a parked motorbike and a pub at Norwood.
The 17-year-old boy, of Flagstaff Hill, was driving a silver Commodore east on Magill Rd before turning right on to Sydenham Rd just before 8pm on Wednesday.
Police say the “inexperienced” driver lost control of his vehicle and hit a parked motorbike.
He then crashed into the wall of the Alma Tavern, causing a window to smash. Local SES crews secured the damaged area of the business.
There were no patrons in the area at the time of the crash and no one was injured, while the Commodore was towed from the scene.
Police reported the boy for driving in a manner dangerous to the public and he will appear in the Adelaide Youth Court at a later date.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
SCOOTER RIDER FINED TWICE IN TWO HOURS FOR USING PHONE
A man has been fined $1500 over two hours for being caught using navigational apps while riding a scooter on two occasions at Evanston. An officer saw the 22-year-old Evanston man riding the scooter on Main North Rd around 11am on Tuesday while using maps on his phone for directions.
He was issued a $604 fine for using the device, and issued three demerit points.
Just after 1pm the same day, the same officer saw the same scooter rider on Main North Rd at Evanston using the phone for directions again. He did not have his helmet strap done up.
The officer stopped the rider again, and issued him a $604 fine for using the phone, and a $360 fine for failing to secure his helmet. His total fines were $1568 on the same day, and he was issued six demerit points. Acting Sergeant Matthew Hancock, of the State Traffic Enforcement Section said the poor decision made by this rider dramatically increase the risk to all road users.
“Inattention due to using a mobile phone while driving is a major contributor to serious injury and fatal crashes on South Australian roads. This is clearly demonstrated by this rider’s behaviour in failing to recognise the presence of a marked police motorcycle twice in a short period of time,” Mr Hancock said.
POLICE SEEK SUSPECT OF ATTEMPTED HOTEL THEFT
Police are asking for help from the public to identify a man wanted over an attempted robbery at a Mile End hotel last month.
The man allegedly walked behind the bar area of the hotel and attempted to steal cash from the till.
A staff member closed the till on the suspect’s hands and the man left.
No staff were injured in the incident.
Police have not been able to identify the man after extensive inquires.
Anyone who recognises the man pictured below is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
SE FREEWAY REOPENS AFTER FIRE
A car that caught alight on the South Eastern Freeway, between Crafers and Stirling, caused heavy delays for commuters on Wednesday morning.
The vehicle burst into flames just after 7.10am, causing traffic holdups in both directions.
Just one lane was open on the uptrack at Crafers, with cars banked up to Eagle On The Hill.
City-bound traffic was also affected and roadworks further added to delays, as vehicles banked up past Bridgewater.
The driver reportedly tried to pull over when his engine started smoking but he couldn’t find a break in the roadworks.
The Freeway was reopened at 10.20am, the Transport Department said in a tweet.
A car fire and roadworks are combining to cause delays on the SE Freeway up-track. @9NewsAdel pic.twitter.com/ZqmlqGyRjQ
— Edward Godfrey (@EdwardGodfrey9) September 15, 2020
Traffic slowed to a crawl on the up track of the South Eastern Freeway at Crafers this morning, after a car fire. @10NewsFirstAdl pic.twitter.com/ttnE0lFYdD
— Hannah Foord (@HannahFoord10) September 15, 2020
SHED DESTROYED AT MILE END
A shed at the back of a Mile End home has been completely destroyed after a fire broke out on Wednesday morning, causing a loud “explosion”.
Nearby resident Jodie Neumann who was walking her dog saw smoke billowing from the shed on Gladstone Street, just after 9.30am.
“You could actually see the flames come out of the shed, and then there was just one big explosion and then the shed just collapsed,” she said.
“It was frightening, it was really frightening and I was worried about the people inside and the houses next door, I’m surprised they didn’t actually catch on fire … It was certainly intense.”
Ms Neumann said neighbours rushed to help an elderly man, who lived at the house.
“The elderly man wanted to go and get the petrol out of the shed, so the (neighbour) stopped him.
“If he had gone in the shed, he wouldn’t have a lot of chance I don’t think because it was quite fierce, the flames.”
MFS issued a warning to nearby residents as smoke drifted across the area and could even be seen from the northeastern suburbs.
Ms Neumann said the fire spread to trees in a neighbouring property, but crews extinguished the flames before it could cause any more damage.
No one was injured.
The shed contained electrical equipment, gym gear and power tools. The total damage bill is estimated at $20,000.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
PET DOG SAVED IN SUSPICIOUS HOUSE FIRE
Firefighters have rescued a pet dog from a deliberately lit blaze that destroyed up to 80 per cent of a home at Greenwith.
Metropolitan Fire Service crews responding to triple-0 calls from neighbours arrived on Jameson Court to find the house fully engulfed in flames about 5pm on Tuesday.
It took 20 firefighters about 20 minutes to control the blaze and a further 30 minutes to extinguish it. An MFS spokeswoman said up to 80 per cent of the house was destroyed.
A pet dog was rescued from the home, while a neighbouring property sustained minor cosmetic damage.
An SA Ambulance spokeswoman said one person refused medical treatment believed to be for smoke inhalation.
The MFS spokeswoman said the fire was believed to be suspicious and fire cause investigators would examine the circumstances. She said damage was estimated at $180,000.
CAR DESTROYED IN HEARTLESS ARSON ATTACK
A man’s car used to take his terminally ill father to medical appointments has been destroyed in an arson attack.
The Toyota Echo was torched on Wilson Street at Mansfield Park about 3.45am on Tuesday.
The vehicle’s driver was visiting a friend who lived on the street when the car was set alight.
“He was only here for like five minutes and then all of a sudden, bang, bang bang, with the windows smashing,” said the man’s female friend, who did not want to be named.
The resident said the car belonged to her friend’s dad, who was terminally ill with prostate cancer.
“He’s on borrowed time, because he’s got chance so it’s the only way to get to hospital and back,” she said.
“It was very frightening, I haven’t seen anything like that before to be honest with you.”
The woman’s daughter said she heard someone cough outside moments before the vehicle burst into flames.
“I thought someone was walking around, so I was looking out the window and then I heard a bang, which was loud as hell and it made me jump,” she said.
“I was shaking, man, it was pretty f … ing scary, because it just kept popping.”
The daughter said the man had only arrived at the house just minutes prior to the blaze.
“I said you were either followed, they were waiting, or someone dogged you, because you were here for two minutes.”
She said the man “couldn’t look” at the car because he was so “heartbroken”.
“Now he has to tell his dad, knowing that he was going to be heartbroken too.”
She slammed the arsonist for having "no thought for other people’s safety”.
“It was right next to a house. How can someone just do that without any care in the world?
PAIR ARRESTED FOR COVID BREACH
A man and a woman have been arrested after allegedly sneaking into South Australia from Victoria this morning, after being denied entry hours earlier.
A gold Holden Jackaroo station wagon was stopped by police at the Langkoop Road, Koppamurra checkpoint around 3.20am Tuesday.
Both parties were denied entry and directed to return back to Victoria. Around 5am the same day, police saw the station wagon being driven on a dirt road on the Wimmera Highway and in Hynam in SA.
A 48-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, both from Victoria, were arrested and charged with failing to comply with a direction under the Emergency Management Act.
They were refused bail to appear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court today.
The man did not apply for bail in court, meanwhile the woman is pending her results for a bail application. They will appear in court again next week.
CAR ROLLS OVER ON THE PARADE
A car has rolled over following a crash at a busy Norwood intersection.
Two cars crashed on The Parade, at the intersection with George Street, just after 8.30am on Tuesday.
One vehicle ended up on its side, with reports of the driver suffering minor injuries.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
IDIOT DRIVERS SLAMMED IN SPEEDING CRACKDOWN
More than 850 drivers were caught speeding in just four days last week, as the officer in charge of traffic slams motorists who think they are “more important” than others.
In a crackdown on speeding between Thursday and Sunday last week, police detected 865 drivers going above the limit on SA roads.
Five drivers were arrested and one person immediately lost their licence.
In six offences, drivers were caught speeding more than 45 km/h over the limit.
Superintendent Bob Gray said the disappointing results showed a “blatant disregard” for the safety of all road users.
“Research shows that some drivers who exceed the speed limit do so because they aren’t paying attention,” he said.
“The other type of speeding driver is the one who deliberately exceeds the speed limit because they believe that they are more skilled or more important than other drivers on the road.”
Superintendent Gray said 31 per cent of fatal crashes in 2019 were a result of speeding.
In the coming weeks, SA Police is expected to launch a new road safety campaign, aimed at changing the attitudes of speeders.
Superintendent Gray said even low speed due to inattentiveness could increase the risk of being involved in a serious crash.
TWO CARS TORCHED AT ELIZABETH NORTH
Two vehicles have been deliberately torched outside an Elizabeth North home.
A Mercedes station wagon and a Magna sedan were both set alight on Bedchester Road about 2.45am on Monday.
The Mercedes was parked on the road, while the Magna was under a carport.
The fire, which is being treated as suspicious, did not spread to the house.
Anyone who has information on the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
DRINK DRIVER ENDS UP ON TRAM TRACKS
A woman has lost her licence after driving onto the tram tracks while reportedly under the influence at Glenelg. Motorists reported the car on the tracks at Jetty Rd just after 3.30am Sunday.
Police spoke to the driver who had been heading east on Jetty Rd, and kept going over Brighton Rd onto the tram tracks, instead of turning left or right.
The 21-year-old Port Noarlunga South woman returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.120, more than twice over the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.05.
She lost her licence for six months and her car was impounded for 28 days. She was reported for drink driving and traffic offences and will appear in court at a later date.
The car was towed from the tracks.
FIRE CRACKERS THROWN AT CROYDON PARK
Police are investigating what they say was a targeted attack involving people allegedly throwing fire crackers at a Croydon Park home.
Police bomb technicians attended Lamont Street around 11.45pm Saturday after reports of loud bangs in the street.
The technicians removed the fire crackers, and deemed the area safe.
Investigations are continuing, but police believe the incident was a targeted attack.
Noone was home at the time. Anyone with information to assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO DRUG HAUL
Seven parcels wrapped in duct tape containing drugs have been discovered during a routine drug stop at Port Augusta. Police noticed a Mitsubishi 4WD travelling north on the Augusta Highway around 1.45am Saturday. They stopped the car and spoke to the male driver and passenger, aged 30 and 20 respectively, both from Port Augusta. Police searched the car and allegedly uncovered a large quantity of cannabis, packaged in seven bags wrapped in duct tape. Each bag weighed almost 4kg. Both men were arrested and charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug. They were bailed to appear in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court in November.
