House destroyed in Aberfoyle Park blaze | Cop dodgers lead police on chase to eastern suburbs
An Aberfoyle Park home has been destroyed in a blaze, causing $400,000 damage. Meanwhile, a car has been chased after speeding off from a traffic stop.
Police & Courts
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South Australia police and emergency services news beginning Sunday, January 3, 2021.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9
FIRE DESTROYS ABERFOYLE PARK HOUSE
An Aberfoyle Park house has been gutted in a blaze that started in the roof.
It is estimated to have caused $400,000 worth of damage.
Ten CFS and MFS crews went to the Monterey Pine Drive home at about 7pm on Friday night to find the house completely engulfed in flames.
The fire was prevented from spreading to neighbouring properties.
The occupants escaped and were unharmed.
COP DODGER CAUGHT AFTER POLICE CHASE
A man and woman from Norwood led police on a chase through the eastern suburbs last night after speeding away from a traffic stop.
Police pulled the pair over on Grenfell St in the city on Friday night and, while police were checking what appeared to be a fake driver’s licence produced by the 32-year-old male driver, the BMW sped off.
The car went through multiple red lights before driving the wrong way around Britannia Roundabout in heavy traffic.
Police lost the car, but Polair soon found it in a carpark on Regent Street, Kensington.
The pair were later found and arrested at a house on Church Street, Norwood.
Police found methamphetamine and an imitation firearm at the home.
The man was charged with dangerous driving to escape police, trafficking a controlled drug and possessing a firearm without a licence.
His 23-year-old female passenger was charged with trafficking a controlled drug, possessing a firearm without a licence and hindering police.
They have been refused bail and will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.
The BMW has been impounded for forensic investigation.
TEENS BUSTED FOR HIGH SCHOOL BREAK IN
Two teenagers have been arrested for breaking into Peterborough High School and stealing items from the library.
The pair – a 19-year-old man and 16-year-old boy – allegedly forced a sliding door to the school library open and made off with three iPads, three basketballs and a small amount of cash.
Police searched two local homes, finding the stolen property and arresting the teens.
They have been bailed to appear in court at a later date.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8
DRUGS FOUND IN OSBORNE RAID
Police discovered a pipe bomb, nearly 30g of methamphetamine and a trafficable amount of cannabis during a raid at an Osborne home on Friday morning.
STAR Group officers made the discovery when they raided the home, on Moldavia Walk, just before 8.30am.
During the search, a substantial amount of cash and several items believed to be stolen, including an air compressor and an E-bike, were found.
The Bomb Response Unit was called in to remove a small pipe bomb from the premises, while 28g of methamphetamine and a trafficable amount of cannabis were also seized.
A 36-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman, both of Osborne, will face court on charges of trafficking a controlled drug, producing a prohibited substance, money laundering, theft and possessing an explosive device.
The man was refused bail and will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.
The woman was granted bail to face the same court next month.
#EXCLUSIVE: Two people have been charged over the discovery of a dangerous pipe bomb inside a home in Adelaide's west. @9keziahsullivan #9News pic.twitter.com/kygz9PG69a
— 9News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) January 8, 2021
FIRE DESTROYS GRANGE HOUSE
A suspected grow-house at Grange has been destroyed by a fire in the early hours of Friday morning.
It is estimated to have caused $250,000 damage
The fire, which is believed to have started in the front bedroom of the Charles Sturt Avenue property, started before 2.45am.
Fire cause investigators found the remains of a cannabis crop and hydroponic growing equipment in the room.
The house was well ablaze by the time firefighters arrived, with smoke and flames visible through the roof.
Firefighters searched the property after reports someone might have been home, but did not find anyone.
It took 25 MFS officers 20 minutes to contain the fire and an hour to put it out.
The fire is not considered suspicious.
MAN PULLED FROM WATER AT GRANGE
An elderly man has been pulled unresponsive from the water at Grange beach this afternoon.
The man, aged in his 80s, was believed to be with his family when the incident happened.
Police say the man suffered a medical episode and paramedics are treating him at the scene.
An SA Ambulance spokeswoman said bystanders tried to help the man before paramedics took over.
DEVELOPING: Emergency crews are treating an elderly man on the sand after he suffered a medical episode in the water at Grange. The latest in 7NEWS at 6pm. https://t.co/8ftPfFYTVQ #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/64sgy2M0yJ
— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) January 8, 2021
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7
MOTORCYCLIST INJURED IN CRASH
A motorcyclist has been injured in a crash on South Road at Black Forest.
The crash happened near the South Road overpass just before 3.20pm on Thursday.
The motorcyclist was treated by paramedics at the scene, but it is believed his injuries are not life-threatening. He was taken to hospital with facial injuries.
Tow trucks cleared the crash site, and South Road is now open again.
A car & motorbike have collided on Main South Rd at Black Forest. The motorcyclist has been rushed to hospital, the driver is okay.
— Georgia Westgarth (@G_Westgarth) January 7, 2021
Traffic now free flowing near Forest Ave. @9NewsAdel pic.twitter.com/LRv0JBuChm
MAN CARRYING GUN RETREATS AFTER BEING SHOUTED AT
Two men, including one who was wearing a bandana and carrying a gun, approached a home at Park Holme on Thursday morning.
Police say the two men, one armed with a baseball bat, were in a red Holden Vectra when they stopped at the home on Nilpena Avenue about 6am.
The occupant of the house pulled back the curtain and saw the two men approach the house.
One man had a bandana across his face and was carrying a firearm, while the other man was armed with a baseball bat,
The person inside the home yelled out to the pair, who then swiftly left in the Vectra, driving east on Nilpena Avenue and then south on Marion Road.
The first suspect is described as a man of caucasian appearance, aged in his 20s, with a slim build, dark eyes, possibly dark hair, wearing a bandana across his mouth, black hoodie and shorts.
The second suspect is of caucasian appearance, about 168cm tall, slim build, with brown eyes, wearing a grey hoodie and dark pants.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6
GEL BLASTERS AND CANNABIS SEIZED
A man who was found with six cannabis plants and three gel blasters will face court.
The 37-year-old man’s stash was busted on Wednesday when police searched his Wallaroo home.
The plants, gel blasters, drug equipment and a small amount of dried cannabis were seized.
He was reported for cultivating cannabis and possession of prescribed equipment, and will receive a summons to appear in Court at a later date.
The man was also issued with a cannabis expiation notice and drug diversion notice for items located inside.
GUN PULLED IN ROAD RAGE INCIDENT
A handgun was allegedly used in a road rage incident on Tuesday that lead to a man being charged with firearms offences.
The altercation happened after 12.30pm on Tuesday at Beach Road, Morphett Vale.
One of the drivers – a 77-year-old Woodcroft man – allegedly pulled out a handgun during the argument.
No one was injured.
Police later found the man at his home, which they searched.
They found and seized a number of firearms, including a starter pistol – deemed an imitation regulated firearm.
The man was charged with numerous firearms offences and refused police bail.
He will face court on Wednesday.
THIEVES DRIVE ON WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD
Two men have been arrested after breaking into a Morphett Vale business and driving on the wrong side of the Southern Expressway.
The pair were seen breaking into a Main South South business by a member of the public, who alerted police.
The men – aged 28 and 29 from Christie Downs – allegedly stole property from the business and fled in a green Holden Commodore just before midnight on Tuesday.
Police soon found the car and followed it on multiple roads to the Southern Expressway, where it drove on the wrong side of the road.
They stopped following the car for safety reasons and set up cordons.
Another member of the public called police soon after to say a green Commodore had been dumped on Commercial Road at Seaford and two people ran from the car, jumping a fence into an aged care home.
Police found the car filled with sunglasses and other property and located the men in a nearby paddock.
The men were charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass, theft, illegal use of a motor vehicle and driving dangerously to escape a police pursuit.
They will face Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5
MAN ALLEGEDLY ARMS HIMSELF WITH WEAPON INSIDE HOME
The elite STAR Group were called to assist in arresting a man after he allegedly armed himself with a weapon during a warrant inquiry.
Police were attending a Renown Park home to speak to an occupant regarding a warrant inquiry.
The 59-year-old man allegedly locked himself inside the house with a weapon and police cordoned off the address.
He was arrested at 2.40pm with the assistance of STAR Group officers.
The man is expected to be charged with aggravated assault, hindering police and ignoring the warrant.
He will appear in court on Wednesday.
ARREST OVER DECEMBER ROBBERY
A man allegedly involved in a robbery a week ago has finally been found by police.
A woman’s handbag was stolen outside the North Park Shopping Centre on Sunday, December 27, by another woman who fled in a stolen car driven by a man.
Two people were arrested a day later after crashing the stolen car, but they did not match the descriptions of the robbery suspects.
Just before 3am on Tuesday, police spoke to the passenger of a car in the Colonnades shopping centre – and discovered he was wanted over the robbery.
The 25-year-old Edwardstown man has been charged with breach of bail.
The robbery is still being investigated.
MONDAY, JANUARY 4
FIREARMS FOUND IN NORTHERN DRUG BUST
A Para Hills man has been charged with drug trafficking and firearm offences after a bust at his property.
Police searched the address on Sunday, finding three firearms. ammunition and a trafficable amount of methamphetamine.
The 41-year-old man has been arrested and refused police bail.
He is expected to face court on Monday.
SUSPICIOUS FIRE AT BASKETBALL STADIUM
A vacant basketball stadium in Adelaide’s northeast has been targeted in a suspicious fire overnight.
The disused Hillcrest Basketball Stadium – formerly the home stadium of the North Adelaide Rockets – sustained minor damage after a fire started in the building.
Firefighters were called to the stadium just before midnight on Sunday.
Police believe the fire was deliberately lit and are investigating the matter.
The site has been listed for sale since last year.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 3
MAN ARRESTED AFTER TOWING ANOTHER’S VAN
A man who allegedly took it upon himself to tow someone else’s van to another location has been arrested.
The 33-year-old Bedford Park man saw the Mitsubishi van at Shell Beach in the Innes National Park and after allegedly believing the van was not parked in the right location, strapped it to his Ford ute and took it to Dolphin Bay, over a kilometre away at about 6.30pm on New Year’s Day.
He returned to Shell Beach where he was confronted by the victim.
Police arrived on the scene and breath tested the Bedford Park man. He returned an alleged reading of 0.152.
He was charged with illegal interference, manner dangerous, property damage and drink driving.
The man lost his licence for 12 months and his ute will be clamped for 28 days.
He has been bailed to appear in the Maitland Magistrates Court on 2 February.
STABBING VICTIM SERIOUSLY INJURED
A man who was stabbed to the neck and abdomen during a violent altercation at a block of units in Mount Gambier is in a serious but stable condition after being flown to Adelaide.
Just before 5pm on Saturday, two men who are believed to be known to each other fought at the units on the Queens Ave and Wehl Street North.
Police will allege that during the confrontation one of the men, a 46-year-old local man stabbed another man twice, causing serious injuries.
The victim was initially taken to the Mount Gambier Hospital for the treatment of two stab wounds.
He was later flown to Adelaide for specialist treatment and remains in a serious condition.
The 46-year-old man was charged with aggravated assault causing serious harm.
He did not apply for police bail and will appear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court tomorrow.
DRINK DRIVER CRASHES AT THEBARTON
A drink-driver who allegedly blew more than four times the legal limit has lost his licence after crashing into a fence at Thebarton.
The man, with two passengers in the car, smashed into the fence of a home on Smith Street just before 1am on Sunday.
When police arrived, the man was not with the car, but returned shortly after.
He was breath tested, and submitted an alleged positive reading of 0.208, more than four times the legal limit.
The 26-year-old man from Morphett Vale lost his licence on the spot for 12 months and was reported for drink driving and driving without due care. He will be summonsed to appear on court at a later date.
DRUGGED AND DISQUALIFIED DRIVER REPORTED
A woman who tested positive to methamphetamine and was driving while disqualified has been reported.
The woman was stopped by police on Opal Creek Boulevard in Andamooka, near Roxby Downs at 7.30am on Saturday January 2.
Driving with an unrestrained child in the car, police checks showed the woman’s licence was disqualified.
She also returned a positive drug test result to methamphetamine.
The 35-year-old local woman was reported for driving disqualified, drug driving and driving with an unrestrained child.
She will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
BUSINESS FIRE AT SALISBURY PLAIN
A Salisbury Plain business was extensively damaged in a fire that police are treating as suspicious.
After reports of flames pouring from the building, fire and police crews arrived at the business on Stanbel Road shortly after 3am on Sunday morning.
The blaze was extinguished by the MFS, but not before the building was heavily damaged.
Police are treating the fire as suspicious.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
CAR AND TRUCK FIRE IN NEIGHBOURING SUBURBS
A truck and car have been set alight in the northern suburbs.
Catching the attention of police at 1.25am on Sunday morning was a truck that was burning outside a Brandis Road home at Munno Para West.
The fire was quickly extinguished by the MFS, but the truck was damaged extensively.
About 30 minutes later, a car was on fire at Hambridge Road in Davoren Park.
The white Nissan parked on the street was completely burnt out.
Police do not believe the fires were deliberate, nor were the cars stolen.
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