SA police wrap: A fisherman has died after falling from a cliff on the Yorke Peninsula | Suspcious car fire at Hillcrest
A fisherman has died after falling from a cliff a few kilometres from the Troubridge Lighthouse on Saturday afternoon.
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Rolling police news for the week beginning Sunday, June 28, 2020.
SATURDAY, JULY 4
FISHERMAN DIES IN CLIFF FALL ON YORKE PENINSULA
A fisherman has died after falling from a cliff at Honiton, on the Yorke Peninsula on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services were called to Clan Ranald Rd at Honiton, about 3km from the Troubridge Lighthouse just before 2pm, after reports a man had fallen.
On arrival, the man, who was part of a fishing club, could be seen at the base of the cliff close to the water’s edge. The Medivac Rescue helicopter was sent to the scene, but the 45-year-old Willaston man died before crews could reach him.
Police are now speaking with witnesses and preparing a report for the coroner.
There are no suspicious circumstances relating to the death, police say.
SERVO ATTENDANT INJURED DURING WHYALLA ROBBERY
A female service station attendant has been injured by a robber who brandished a pair of scissors during a hold-up of a fuel outlet at Whyalla Stuart.
Police said a man entered the McRitchie Crescent shop about 8pm and threatened the attendant and stole money.
During the robbery the woman received a scissor-wound to her hand. Paramedics treated her at the scene.
The suspect is described as about 183cm tall, with a slim build. His face was covered with a black and white t-shirt, he was wearing a dark blue puffer jacket, cream or tan chinos and black and white shoes.
He was last seen heading on foot down Pine Street towards Booth Street on foot.
POLICE INVESTIGATE SUSPICIOUS CAR FIRE AT HILLCREST
Police are investigating a suspicious car fire at Hillcrest which caused extensive damage to a car and house this morning.
Police and fire crews were called to a house in Llewen St, after reports a black Jeep was on fire in a driveway. The flames spread to the carport and house’s exterior before crews extinguished the fire. Police believe the fire was deliberately lit.
Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
DRIVER ‘JUST OVER THE LIMIT’ SLAPPED WITH HEFTY FINE
A driver has been slapped with a $817 fine after being caught just over the legal blood limit in the state’s Far East on Friday night. Police stopped a car on Charlton Rd, Olympic Dam just before 8pm Friday for a random breath test. Police allege the man returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.055, just 0.005 over the legal limit of 0.05. He was issued an $817 fine for exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol. Police remind all road users to obey the road rules, and remember that “one drink could cost more than you think”.
MAN SUFFERS HEAD INJURIES AFTER FALLING INTO CREEK
A young man has suffered head injuries after falling into a creek at Gawler.
Police, paramedics and the State Emergency Service were called to a creek on Whitelaw Terrace and Walker Place just before midnight on Friday, after reports a man had fallen into a creek bed.
The creek bed was too steep to exit, and the man required assistance due to his injuries. Paramedics say the 19-year-old man suffered serious head injuries, and was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where he remained on Saturday morning.
DRIVE CRASHES STOLEN CAR
A man has been arrested after allegedly crashing a stolen car in the State’s South East on Friday night.
Police were called to Wiliams Rd at Millicent after reports a car had been stolen from a driveway. Police spotted the white Mitsubishi Triton speeding north on Southern Ports Highway. The car was pursued for a short time, but police abandoned the chase for safety reasons. Police found the car about 10km further along the Southern Ports Highway, rolled over on its side.
The drier, a 21-year-old Millicent man, suffered minor injuries, and was taken to the Millicent Hospital for a mental health assessment.
He is expected to be charged with illegal use, driving dangerously to evade police and aggravated driving without due car.
CAR FIRE IN ADELAIDE’S FAR NORTH
Police are investigating after a stolen car was set alight at Buchfelde, near Gawler on Friday night.
Police and fire crews were called to Wingate Rd just after 9.30pm after reports a gold Nissan Patrol was on fire. The blaze was controlled, but the car was extensively damaged. Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area last night is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
POLICE INVESTIGATE SUSPICIOUS FIRE AT HAIR SALON
Police are appealing to the public for information relating to a suspicious fire at a hair salon in Hindmarsh last month.
Emergency services were called to the fire at the salon on Port Rd at around 2.15am on Sunday June 21. Police now say the fire was deliberately lit.
They would like to speak to the driver of a 2004 gold Toyota Kluger that was spotted circling the salon shortly before the fire.
The car was spotted travelling north west on Port Rd before turning onto South Rd and then west onto Grange Rd.
Police are also asking for anyone who may have captured dashcam footage showing the Toyota Kluger in Hindmarsh area between 1.45am and 1.55am on June 21 to come forward. Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
FRIDAY, JULY 3
HOUSE DESTROYED IN PARHAM FIRE
A man has been taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation after his house was destroyed in a fire at Parham this morning. Country Fire Service crews were called to a house fire at North Terrace, Parham, near Dublin just after 4am Friday.
When crews arrived at the house the house was well alight. The fire destroyed the house, causing $200,000 in damages.
The man said he was relieved firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjacent sheds, which housed his boat and fishing gear.
FIRE IN ELIZABETH SHOPPING CENTRE
Fire Crews have battled a blaze that was sparked by a gas cooker in a northern suburbs shopping centre last night. The Metropolitan Fire Service was called to the Elizabeth Shopping Centre on Elizabeth Way about 8.30pm Thursday, responding to a fire alarm.
The fire, which started in the Cherry Blossom restaurant, was started by a malfunction in cooking equipment. Crews contained the fire to the kitchen and extinguished it within 10 minutes.
The damage was estimated at $5000 to $10,000.
THURSDAY, JULY 2
MAN HIT BY TRUCK AT PLYMPTON PARK
A man is in hospital with serious injuries after he was struck by a truck at Plympton Park on Thursday afternoon.
He was hit at the intersection of Marion Rd and Stradbroke Ave just after 4pm.
The 48-year-old man from Edwardstown suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Major Crash officers investigated the scene and the road reopened just after 8.30pm
BREAKING | Police are on scene at a serious crash involving a truck and a pedestrian at Plympton Park. pic.twitter.com/C5TuyaZlo0
— 10 News First Adelaide (@10NewsFirstAdl) July 2, 2020
CLAN LAB DISCOVERED AT RISDON PARK
A secret drug lab has been discovered at the Port Pirie suburb of Risdon Park.
Police, with the assistance of a drug detection dog, made the discovery about 7.30pm on Wednesday.
Police dismantled the lab and also found an amount of methamphetamine and cannabis.
A 40-year-old man was arrested and charged with manufacturing a controlled drug and trafficking in a controlled drug.
He was bailed to face the Port Pirie Magistrates Court in October.
Police say some telltale signs of a drug lab are drawn curtains during daylight, chemical smells, pool cleaning equipment when there is no swimming pool and frequent visitors who only stay for short periods of time.
MAN ARRESTED OVER ARMED ROBBERY
A man has been charged with holding up a petrol station with a gun wrapped in cloth north of Adelaide.
The man, 39, of Balaklava, is accused of using the weapon to rob a service station on Old Port Wakefield Rd at Dublin.
He allegedly threatened staff with the firearm, which was wrapped in cloth, before stealing cash.
He drove away in a white ute.
Just after 5pm on Wednesday, police found the ute and uncovered the gun allegedly used in the robbery, as well as ammunition.
The man was charged with commit theft using force, no firearms licence, unregistered firearm and other offences.
He was refused bail to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Thursday.
MAN FINED FOR HONKING HORN
An Adelaide man has received a $253 fine for beeping his horn outside a Port Adelaide pizza bar.
Jamie Winner posted a picture of himself posing with a SAPOL expiation notice on Instagram, described its wording as “a little sketchy”.
“Basically it means they can fine you whenever they need cash for weekend beers,” he wrote.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
HOUSE DESTROYED IN INGLE FARM FIRE
AN 89-year-old man died in a fire that broke out in his Ingle Farm home this morning.
A neighbour called triple-0 just before 5.20am Wednesday to report a fire on Tarana Ave after she saw flames outside her window and feared for her neighbour’s safety.
“I thought ‘Oh my goodness next door’s house is on fire’”, Ms Lambert said.
“I came back inside and called triple-0, I’m so glad I did because I’m sure my neighbour was inside.
“I just couldn’t believe how fierce the fire was.”
David Pritchard from the Metropolitan Fire Service said the roof was collapsing when crews arrived.
“They gained access through the front bedroom window and searched the place to the best of their ability,” Mr Pritchard said.
Crews then searched the premises and sadly located the body of an 89-year-old man inside.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined but was believed to have started in the lounge room. Police are not treating it as suspicious.
Ms Lambert said her neighbour kept to himself but they were friendly.
“To die like that, it’s just so sad really.”
Eulie King, a nearby neighbour said she heard the sirens just after 5am and thought there was a car accident.
“I saw the lights through the blinds and thought that’s really close,” Ms King.
She said it was very sad her neighbour died in the blaze.
“This is a bit of a shock really, the poor gentleman.”
Police Fire Cause Investigators are at the scene assisting with the investigation.
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
The home was gutted causing $180,000 in damage.
MAN CHARGED OVER DRUG HAUL
A man has been charged with drug trafficking after 1kg of cannabis and 11g of MDMA were found inside his inner-east home this week.
Officers raided his Tusmore home on Tuesday night and say they also seized a further 11 capsules of MDMA, 23 tablets of LSD, drug paraphernalia and an amount of cash.
Several credit card knives and four pairs of nunchucks were also found inside, police allege.
The man, 36, was reported for three counts of trafficking a controlled drug and possessing a prohibited weapon.
He will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.
MAN STABBED AT KILBURN
A man is in hospital after he was allegedly stabbed in a group altercation overnight.
Police and paramedics were called to the intersection of Northcote Tce and Prospect Rd after reports of a group fighting just before 3.30am Wednesday.
On arrival, police located the victim at the intersection, with several stab wounds to his chest.
He was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with non life threatening injuries.
A search of the area with the assistance of Police Dog Zac failed to locate the suspect, who is believed to be known to the victim.
Investigations are continuing.
EASTERN SUBURBS MAN ARRESTED ON CHILD SEX OFFENCES
A 39-year-old eastern suburbs man has been arrested and charged with child sex offences.
Detectives from the SA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team and the state’s Public Protection Branch and the Australian Federal Police and arrested the man on Tuesday night. He was charged with one count of aggravated possessing child exploitation material and one count of possessing child exploitation material.
The man was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in August.
TUESDAY, JUNE 30
POLICE SWOOP ON CAR FRAUDSTERS AT ELIZABETH
Three men have been arrested for stealing two cars worth almost $40,000 combined, prompting police to issue a warning to people considering selling their cars online.
On Friday, June 26, police said a man agreed to sell his Audi sedan for $19,000 to a man he met on a buy-swap-sell website.
The offender, accompanied by two other men, went to the victim’s house and said they would deposit the money into the seller’s bank account.
The cheque was deposited via an ATM in Victoria and was shown as pending, however, a few days later, the check bounced.
In a separate incident, on Monday, June 29, a second man agreed to sell his BMW for $17,900 to the men.
The cheque was deposited in Victoria and bounced.
On Tuesday, June 30, both vehicles were listed for sale on the buy-swap-sell-site at a reduced price.
After police received information the Audi was parked on Philip Hwy at Elizabeth, two 20-year-old men from Craigmore and Evanston and a 19-year-old Elizabeth Vale man were arrested and charged with theft.
They were all bailed to appear in court at a later date.
Both vehicles were recovered and towed away for forensic examination.
SUSPICIOUS FIRE AT GLENELG
Fire cause investigators are attending the scene of a suspicious fire in Glenelg overnight.
Fire crews were called to the rear of a unit complex on Jetty Rd just before 2.30am on Tuesday after reports of hard rubbish being set alight. The flames then spread to a nearby storage shed causing $30,000 damage.
Crime scene examiners will attend the scene this morning to determine its cause.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an online report here.
MOTORIST ARRESTED FOR FLEEING SCENE OF CRASH
A man has been arrested after allegedly fleeing the scene of a crash in Enfield this morning.
Police were called to a bus shelter on Regency Rd near Alice St at around 12.30am Tuesday after a car travelling east crashed into a bus shelter and stobie pole, bringing down wires onto the road. When emergency services arrived at the scene, the car had been abandoned.
Police conducted checks of the car and east bound traffic on Regency Rd was blocked while the car was towed from the scene.
Police attended an Ottoway home an hour after the incident where they located a 29-year-old Kilkenny man.
They arrested the man and charged him with driving without due care, leaving the scene of a crash and failing to answer questions.
He was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in September.
RARE BRADMAN BOOKS STOLEN
Police are hoping to reunite a rare collection of Donald Bradman books with its owner after a series of break-ins in the Adelaide CBD this year.
A 48-year-old man was arrested in June and charged with committing 14 break-ins across the CBD between 1999 and 2020.
Most recently, a leather bound book set called “The Bradman Albums”, signed by the Australian cricket team, was stolen between May and June.
The item is certified copy number 304 of 500 limited copies.
Police are also seeking the owners of a blue Yamaha audio mixing console and two lighting dimmers.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
NORTHERN SUBURBS MAN ARRESTED ON CHILD SEX OFFENCES
A northern suburbs man has been arrested for child sex offences.
Detectives from the SA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team arrested a 33-year-old man on Monday night. He was charged with two counts of aggravated disseminating child exploitation material and two counts of disseminating child exploitation material.
The man was bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in August.
MONDAY, JUNE 29
A man in his 60s has been taken to hospital with head injuries after his car collided with a train in Edwardstown.
Police, paramedics and traffic controllers were called to Delaine Ave just before 12pm today after reports a Toyota Prado had crashed into a train.
The 65-year-old man was taken to Flinders Medical Centre with serious head injuries. Passengers were escorted off the train just before 1pm, an hour after the incident after being advised it was safe by police and traffic operators.
Ingrid and Howard Bartlett were shopping in the city heading to their home in Noarlunga with their two grandchildren Paddy, 3 and Elsie, 2, when there trip was delayed for an hour.
“I don’t even know anything had happened until everyone was looking out the window,” Mrs Bartlett said.
“We were concerned about the man in the car,” she said.
Harry McLaren has been to the city to have his haircut, heading home to Marion.
“All I felt was it was as if the driver had put the brake on a bit quick,” Mr McLaren said.
He said he didn’t notice the accident until he looked out the window and thought “why are we stopping”.
He said he was worried about the condition of the driver.
“He got a bit of a hit in the head … you don’t want to see people getting hurt.”
Passengers sought alternative transport home.
The Seaford line train remained stationary more than two hours following the incident while operators attempt to fix the problems caused by the accident.
Seaford trains resumed operation in the late afternoon after they were not operating for several hours due to the incident.
MOTORIST BLOWS MORE THAN SEVEN TIMES THE LEGAL LIMIT
A motorist was caught driving more than seven times the legal blood alcohol limit on the Southern Expressway.
Police revealed on Monday that a patrol had tested a driver reported to be driving erratically at O’Halloran Hill just after 10.30am on Sunday.
The driver recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.379, more than seven times over the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.05.
A tweet from SA Police described the incident as “staggering”.
The 36-year-old Semaphore Park man was reported for drink driving, issued an instant 12-month loss of licence and had his car impounded for 28 days. He will appear in court at a later date.
He was taken to the Flinders Medical Centre for a medical assessment due to his extreme level of intoxication.
SUNDAY, JUNE 28
RIDER KILLED AT LOCKLEYS
A motorcyclist has died after colliding with a 4WD whose driver was on her learner’s permit at Lockleys.
Police and emergency services were called to Henley Beach Rd just before 2.30pm on Sunday after reports a Honda motorcycle and Land Rover 4WD collided.
The rider, a 31-year-old Richmond man, died at the scene.
The driver of the 4WD, a 16-year-old Lockleys girl, was not injured in the crash.
Henley Beach Rd was closed for several hours between Tapleys Hill Rd and Rutland Ave while Major Crash investigators examined the crash site but has since reopened.
If anyone witnessed the crash who hasn’t yet spoken with police or has any other information that may assist the investigation, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The man’s death is the 50th life lost on SA roads this year compared with 61 at the same time last year.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER GOUGER ST ASSAULT
A man will has been arrested following an assault on Gouger St over the weekend.
Police received multiple calls from the public about a man who was allegedly holding a knife in Gouger St at around 1.30pm on Friday. CCTV footage revealed the man punching another man before leaving the area. Police spoke to the victim who did not require medical treatment.
Police searched the CBD for several hours before locating the suspect near the Franklin St bus depot. Witnesses told police the man threatened people in a coffee shop on Waymouth St hours before the assault on Friday. Noone was physically injured in the incident but victims were shaken.
The 35-year-old Taperoo man was arrested and charged with unlawful threats, aggravated assault, carrying an offensive weapon and unlawful possession of prescription drugs. He was refused police bail and will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.
Anyone with information to assist the investigation is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
DRIVER IN BREACH OF ISOLATION
Premier Steven Marshall says police “will absolutely throw the book” at a Victorian man who was found to be breaching COVID-19 quarantine restrictions when caught drink-driving at Port Augusta.
Patrols responded to an incident on Parkside Row after a Toyota sedan mounted the kerb and crashed into a sign on the footpath about 6.30pm on Saturday.
The driver, a 28-year-old man, allegedly recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.229.
It was at this time that officers also discovered he had entered South Australia eight days ago and should have been in isolation.
Victoria is in the midst of a spike in coronavirus cases, including 49 new reports recorded yesterday, which threatens to become a second wave with dire health and economic consequences.
While SA has opened its borders to some states, those coming from Victoria are still required to isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
Mr Marshall described the turn of events as “an extraordinary story”.
“We are absolutely angry that this Victorian has come across the border, done the wrong thing, broken the commitment that he made in terms of self-isolation, and then was caught for drink-driving,” he said.
“The police in SA will absolutely throw the book at this individual.”
The man was arrested and hit with a $1060 fine for breaching the quarantine direction. He was also charged with drink-driving, driving while disqualified and aggravated driving without due care.
His licence was cancelled for 12 months and he will appear in at Port Augusta Magistrates Court in September. His vehicle was also impounded for 28 days.
Latest figures show between two to four people a day over the past week have been fined for breaching coronavirus directions.
$200K HOUSE FIRE AT LARGS BAY
A small electrical appliance has caused $200,000 damage to a Largs Bay home after it caught alight.
The alarm was raise by multiple people who reported seeing smoke on Osborne St about 11.30am on Sunday.
Four appliances carrying 16 firefighters extinguished the blaze in 20 minutes.
The occupants evacuated safely,
CAR FIRES AT HENLEY BEACH SOUTH, WEST CROYDON
Two vehicles were the target of arsonists in separate attacks overnight.
In the first incident at West Croydon, a car was destroyed in the driveway of a home on Kingsley Ave just before 2.30am on Sunday.
The Ford sedan could not be saved but fire crews stopped flames spreading to the home.
Crime scene investigators inspected the scene on Sunday morning.
A short time later, police were called to two fires on Fletcher Rd at Henley Beach South at 6am.
Emergency services found a car had been set alight as well as a group of nearby bins.
The white Mitsubishi Mirage was destroyed in the fire. Police are unsure if the car was stolen and will make contact with its registered owner
Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
THREE-CAR CRASH AT PLYMPTON
Police are investigating how a car crashed into two other vehicles at high speed just seconds apart at Plympton.
Emergency services were called to Marion Rd after reports of a rear-end crash about 11.20pm on Saturday.
A Ford sedan crashed into the rear of a Hyundai sedan at speed, then drove on down the road and hit the rear corner of another Hyundai sedan, police say.
The driver of the Ford allegedly ran from the scene.
Police searched the area and found a 24-year-old Adelaide man who was taken to hospital to have blood taken as part of the crash investigation.
None of the six people in the two Hyundais needed medical treatment.
All three cars were badly damaged and had to be towed from the scene.