Adelaide hostel fined for COVID-19 breaches, police officer assaulted after pulling over allegedly stolen car
A backpacker hostel has copped a fine for failing to keep up with its coronavirus obligations, with four recent Victorian arrivals taken away by police to new lodgings.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SA crime and emergency services news for the week starting Sunday, 5 July.
SATURDAY, JULY 11
ADELAIDE HOSTEL FINED FOR COVID-19 BREACHES
An Adelaide hostel has been fined for breaching coronavirus restrictions and four of its guests, who had recently arrived in South Australia from Victoria, have been removed.
Police attended a Waymouth St backpackers hostel about 5pm on Friday night to carry out a compliance check when they discovered the business did not have a COVID Safe Plan in place.
The officers were also concerned that people were not physically distancing from each other.
Four people were found to have recently arrived from Victoria and were self-quarantining at the hostel.
Police, who were worried about the guests’ ability to isolate from other patrons, called in SA Health, who moved the three men and one woman to a North Tce hotel to finish their quarantine obligations.
All four have been tested for COVID and the results are yet to be received.
The hostel was slapped with a $5060 fine for failing to have a COVID Safe Plan, providing communal food and not providing enough space for physical distancing.
It was also issued with a Direction under the Emergency Management Act to have a COVID Safe Plan in place, ensure physical distancing and cease providing communal food.
Everyone at the business was given information about the need to self quarantine immediately and get tested if they developed flu-like symptoms.
POLICE OFFICER ASSAULTED
A police officer has been punched in the head after stopping an allegedly stolen car at Angle Park.
Police say they saw a Subaru Liberty station wagon near the intersection of Murray and Warren streets just after 12pm on Saturday.
Checks revealed the vehicle was bearing incorrect number plates and officers suspected it had been involved in several other traffic offences.
When the patrol stopped the car in Murray St, the male driver allegedly got out and began punching an officer in the head.
Another officer subdued the alleged offender by using capsicum spray and other police quickly converged on the scene to assist.
The allegedly assaulted officer sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.
The car was towed from the scene and will be forensically examined.
A motorbike, suspected of being stolen and found at a nearby house, was also seized.
The station wagon driver ¬– a 35-year-old Glossop man – was charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle and aggravated assault of a police officer.
He was refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.
His passengers – a 35-year-old Elizabeth East man and a 26-year-old Elizabeth South woman ¬– were also charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle while a 38-year-old Angle Park man was charged with hindering police.
They were all bailed and will appear in court at a later date.
TWO TEENS ASSAULTED DURING HOME INVASION
Two teenagers have been assaulted during a violent home invasion in Dover Gardens.
Three people, one armed with a knife, entered a home on Folkestone Rd just after 5pm and assaulted a male and female inside.
The man sustained a puncture wound when a glass bottle was thrown at him during the altercation but neither he or the female victim suffered life-threatening injuries.
They were taken to Flinders Medical Centre for treatment.
Police searched the area for the suspects, who are believed to be known to the victims.
CAR ROLLS IN THE CITY
A car has rolled in the city and come to a rest on its side on a footpath.
The crash happened at the intersection of Grote St and West Tce just after 10am.
It is believed the incident occurred as vehicle was entering West Terrace from Grote St.
The driver managed to get out of the car and was not injured in the crash.
Police, MFS and ambulance crews attended the scene.
The car has been towed from the area.
FRIDAY, JULY 10
MAN CAUGHT WITH WEAPONS IN CBD
A man has been arrested in the Adelaide CBD after police located weapons in his car.
Just after 4.30pm this afternoon, police patrols along with the Security Response Section were called to Gouger Street after reports of a disturbance.
Upon arrival police were directed to a silver Mercedes Benz at the scene.
Police stopped the car and spoke to a 40-year-old man. Checks revealed the man was in breach of his bail conditions and had a disqualified drivers licence.
Police had cause to search the car and will allege inside they located a BB-gun and a knife. The man was also breath tested and allegedly returned a positive reading of 0.090.
Police arrested the Salisbury man who has been charged with breach of bail, possessing firearm without a licence, possessing firearm for an unauthorised purpose, driving disqualified, drink driving and carrying an offensive weapon.
He was refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.
ARMED POLICE SURROUND HOME
Two people surrounded by heavily armed police have surrendered after a three-hour siege at a fortified northern suburbs home, before one was reported for trafficking cannabis.
A man gave himself up to officers after walking from his house on Elwood Road at MacDonald Park about 2.45pm on Friday.
A woman, who police were told was being held at the property against her will, left the home shortly after.
Police said detectives searched the property and found 7kg of cannabis and hydroponic equipment in a shed.
The man, 45, was reported for trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug and possessing prescribed equipment. He will appear in court at a later date.
Nearby resident Debbie Ruben said STAR Group officers closed in on the property just after 11am.
“I just saw a whole lot of police come in … then I saw ones with guns and full uniforms on,” she said.
“Slowly they got closer and closer (to the house). One police officer jumped over our neighbour’s fence. It was a pretty full-on day (and) was a bit of a shock.”
Elwood Road was closed to the public and tyre spikes were laid out to keep vehicles from escaping the area. A police negotiator used a megaphone to communicate with people inside the house.
“They were probably (on the megaphone) for three quarters of an hour trying to get him to come out,” Ms Ruben said.
Neighbours said the man had been living at the property for about six months and recently installed a fortified automated gate with CCTV cameras.
The man assisted police as they searched the home.
The Security Response Section – SA Police’s anti-terror squad – supported STAR Group officers during the siege after unconfirmed reports a firearm was stored at the home.
SHOTS FIRED DURING HOME INVASION
Shots were during a violent incident at Smithfield Plains about 3.30am on Friday.
Two men broke into a Roberts Crescent home before chasing one of the occupants out of the house and firing gunshots at him.
The men, armed with a firearm and a machete, smashed a rear door and entered the house, threatening its five occupants.
One of the occupants – a man in his 20s – fled on foot through the front door and the suspects chased him, firing two shots towards the victim.
The suspects then ran from the scene and are believed to have left the area in a vehicle parked nearby.
Police cordoned off the street as they examined the scene.
Aside from a few scratches, no one was injured in the incident and the occupants are so far not co-operating with investigators.
Officers doorknocked the area and searched for CCTV vision.
Police do not consider the incident a random attack.
MAN ARRESTED AFTER CITY POLICE CHASE
A man has been arrested after he was found hiding in an industrial bin following a police chase on Thursday night.
Officers spotted a Nissan sedan driving without headlights on along Fullarton Rd about 11.50pm.
When they stopped the vehicle on Wakefield St and got out to speak to the driver, the motorist sped off.
Police gave chase but terminated the pursuit shortly after.
Officers searched the area and saw the alleged driver running along Flinders St.
They found him hiding in an industrial bin in Daly St and the Nissan was located in Flinders St.
A 22-year-old Norwood man was arrested and charged with engaging in a police pursuit and driving while disqualified.
His car was impounded and he was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in September.
THURSDAY, JULY 9
MAN CHARGED OVER CBD ATTACK
A man who allegedly attacked a scooter rider on Gouger Street has been charged with assault.
After video of incident was posted on social media, a tip-off led police to a South Brighton home where they arrested a 21-year-old man on Thursday.
The man – who allegedly hit the 19-year-old victim while he sat on a scooter about 6.30pm on Saturday – was charged with assault causing harm. Police say the incident was random.
The charged man is expected to be bailed to appear at Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.
Anyone with further information that may assist is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MAN ARRESTED FOR BREAKING INTO CARS IN CBD
A man has been arrested after he was caught allegedly breaking into cars in the Adelaide CBD overnight.
Police were called to Wakefield St near the intersection of Hutt St after a member of the public reported a man was smashing the window of a car just before midnight Wednesday.
Police found the suspect sitting in a car rummaging through its interior. Police allege the man smashed the windows of two cars, stealing property from one.
The 18-year-old Adelaide man was arrested and charged with two counts of property damage and two counts of theft. He was bailed to appear in court at a later date, and police will apply for compensation for both car owners.
HOUSE FIRE SPARKED BY DOG KNOCKING OVER CANDLE
A man has been burnt in a house fire at Murray Bridge, thought to be sparked by a dog knocking over a candle. Fire crews were called to Old Swanport Rd just before 4am Thursday.
A man suffered burns in the blaze that engulfed the home and was taken to hospital by paramedics for treatment. The dog perished in the fire that was in the outhouse on the back of the property. It cause approximately $10,000 in damage. Read full story here.
HERO HOUND SAVES OWNERS IN MAGILL FIRE
The occupants of a townhouse destroyed in a fire at Magill overnight managed to flee when they were woken by their pooch barking.
Fire crews were called to Mann Court at around 2am Thursday.
The occupants managed to escape the blaze, without injury, thanks to their heroic hound alerting them.
Crews controlled the blaze within half an hour and prevented the fire spreading to adjoining units. The damage bill was $230,000. The fire was deemed accidental, sparked by batteries charging in a makeshift shed on the veranda. Read full story here.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8
SERIOUS CRASH AT WHYALLA STUART
A man has been flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in critical condition after a serious crash on the Eyre Peninsula that also injured two others.
Police and emergency services were called to a single car rollover in scrub off Sugarwood Crescent at Whyalla Stuart just before 12pm on Wednesday.
Three occupants in the car were treated by paramedics at the scene.
An 11-year-old boy sustained multiple limb injuries, and a 19-year-old man from Whyalla Stuart suffered serious head and facial injuries. Both were taken to Whyalla Hospital before being flown to Adelaide for treatment. The man is in a critical condition.
A 12-year-old local boy who was also in the vehicle was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Major Crash Investigators attended the scene and are examining the circumstances that led to the crash.
TWO WELLS HOUSE GUTTED BY BLAZE
A home at Two Wells has been destroyed in a fire that caused about $360,000 damage.
More than 30 CFS firefighters were called to the house on Bailey Road just after 1.30pm on Wednesday.
When crews arrived the house was fully engulfed in flames and the roof had collapsed.
The occupant was not home at the time of the blaze.
Fire Cause Investigators will inspect the scene.
SIX ARRESTED, DRUGS AND CASH SEIZED
Six people have been arrested after detectives smashed a local drug operation that was allegedly trafficking cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana through Adelaide's north and western suburbs.
Serious and Organised Crime Branch officers seized more than half a kilogram of ecstasy, nearly 50g of cocaine, 1.3kg of cannabis, other drugs and more than $30,000 during the six-month investigation.
The drugs have an estimated street value of $140,000.
The six were arrested about 8pm on Tuesday night.
An 18-year-old Parafield Gardens man was charged with seven counts of trafficking ecstasy and cocaine.
A 23-year-old Burton man was arrested and charged with six counts trafficking ecstasy, cannabis and cocaine.
Two Mansfield Park men – aged 19 and 20 – were charged with trafficking ecstasy.
A 19-year-old man and 39-year-old woman from Angle Park are charged with trafficking ecstasy and other drugs.
The six were bailed to appear at Adelaide Magistrates Court on September 23.
CAR PARTS STOLEN FROM MURRAY BRIDGE
Police are investigating a shed break-in at Murray Bridge, after about $10,000 of car parts were stolen. Between June 23 and July 7, forced entry was made to a locked shed on Bigmore Rd, Northern Heights. About $10,000 worth of car parts were taken, including a Torana engine.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the stolen parts is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
SPEEDING DRIVER REPORTED AT NURIOOTPA
A man has been reported after allegedly engaging in a street race in Adelaide’s north last night.
Police detected two cars heading west on the Sturt Highway, Nuriootpa, at 10.15pm on Tuesday.
The cars were clocked at 146km/h in an 80km/h, and police say they appeared to be street racing. One of the cars was able to be stopped at the time.
The driver, a 24-year-old Angaston man was reported for misuse of a motor vehicle, and driving at excessive speed.
His Holden Commodore was impounded for 28 days. He will appear in court at a later date. Police have identified the driver of the second vehicle and will be speaking to the driver.
TUESDAY, JULY 7
FATAL CRASH AT RUDALL
A man has died in a crash just west of Cleve on the Eyre Peninsula today.
Police say the crash, involving a ute and a van on the Birdseye Highway at Rudall, happened just before 9.30am on Tuesday.
The driver of the van, a 60-year-old Smoky Bay man, died at the scene. A passenger of the van, and the driver of the utility were taken to Cleve Hospital and treated for minor injuries.
Major Crash officers closed Birdseye Highway for several hours while examining the scene for the cause of the crash.
The man’s death was the 51st life lost on SA roads, compared to 63 at the same time last year.
Two vehicles have collided on Birdseye Highway near Cleve just before 9.30am. Major Crash investigators are flying in from Adelaide. The highway is closed off with diversions in place. @SpencerGulfNN pic.twitter.com/eUlp2Ks3wW
— Nathan Regter (@RegterNathan) July 7, 2020
FAMILY HEIRLOOM PICK-UPS STOLEN FROM FARM
Two Dodge Brothers pick-up trucks have been stolen from a remote farm in SA’s Mid-North.
Police say the two vehicles, from the 1920s, were stolen from a property at Parnaroo, east of Peterborough, between Sunday 28 June and July 5.
The collector’s items, and family heirlooms, were not in a movable or towable condition.
They would have been lifted and transported on a flat bed truck, police say.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
TWO MEN ARRESTED OVER NORTHERN SUBURBS PURSUIT
A man who allegedly rammed a police car with his Holden Statesman before nearly running over two officers has been arrested following a wild chase across the northern suburbs overnight.
The man, 23, of Craigmore, was charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle, engage in police pursuit, acts to endanger, drive disqualified, aggravated due care and unlawful possession.
The chase first started on John Rice Ave at Elizabeth Vale when patrols saw a maroon Holden Statesman speeding about 10.45pm on Monday.
Police say the car was stolen from a Salisbury East address last month.
A police helicopter tracked the car on Main North Rd at Salisbury Heights before the 23-year-old pulled into a driveway at Valley View.
Three men got out of the car, but as patrols approached, two of the men jumped back in the car.
Police say the driver reversed into a police car before driving forward and hitting two fences.
He then allegedly reversed again, this time towards the officers, who had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.
The driver sped off as the helicopter continued to track him before stopping on Settlers Hill Rd at Golden Grove.
A male passenger, 28, of North Haven, was arrested and charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle. He was bailed to appear in court at a later date.
The driver was arrested after trying to run away. He was refused bail to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The pursuit comes just two days after a man allegedly reversed his Subaru, clipping the side of a patrol vehicle at Para Hills.
His car was tracked to a shopping centre at Walkley Heights, where an officer was punched in the face and suffered an injury to his hand while arresting two men.
HANDBAG SNATCHER AT LARGE IN PORT AUGUSTA
A man is on the run after snatching a woman’s handbag and pushing her to the ground in Port Augusta on Monday.
The woman, in her 60s, was walking on Jervois St under the Augusta Highway underpass, just before 3pm, when she was approached by an unknown man pushing a black bicycle.
Police say the man spoke to her briefly before snatching her handbag, which contained cash and credit cards.
The woman tried to wrestle the bag back from the thief, but she fell to the ground.
He was last seen riding east.
Police describe the suspect as a male of Aboriginal appearance, aged between 20 and 30.
He is about 167cm tall with a large build and was wearing a black top and distinctive light coloured pants with green stripes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MONDAY, JULY 6
HUNDREDS JOIN HIKE TO BACK WOMEN’S SAFETY
A nurse attacked on a popular walking trail will be joined by hundreds of supporters on a hike for women’s safety.
Jessica, 26, is hosting the “Women’s Recovery Hike at Anstey Hill” on July 19.
More than 800 people have committed to taking part, while a further 5400 are “interested”, according to a Facebook event page.
The walk will raise funds for women’s homelessness service Catherine House.
Fundraising and events manager Jaylee Cooper said more than 50 per cent of women who stayed in the emergency accommodation were domestic violence survivors. “It’s a great thing to raise awareness,” she said.
“We should be able to go out and go for a walk, a trek or a run and not have these types of things happening.”
Jessica was attacked by a man in the Anstey Hill Recreation park on Friday morning last week.
The man attempted to grab her arm twice, then reached for her waist, pulling them both to the ground.
Jessica suffered a deep gash to her right leg as she escaped the attack.
A man, 51, of no fixed address, was charged with assault and granted bail to September.
“I planned on returning with a few friends but I have been honoured with so much support from the public who would like to join me and help make these walks safer for women,” Jessica said.
She hoped it would help build a safe community and let women find walking buddies.
The July 19 date is “tentative” pending Jessica’s recovery.
Donations can be made at the Catherine House website or by cash on the day.
BARBER SHOP TORCHED AT PORT NOARLUNGA
A barber shop in Adelaide’s southern suburbs has been targeted in an early morning arson attack.
The Lowrider Barbershop, on Gawler St at Port Noarlunga, was torched about 4.15am on Monday.
Fire crews quickly extinguished the blaze, which started at the back of the shop and caused extensive damage.
Surrounding stores were also damaged.
Police say accelerant was used to start the fire.
No one was injured and police are investigating.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000
“It’s gut wrenching†- Just 3 days after opening it’s doors, the Lowrider Barbershop has been targeted in an arson attack. The devastated owner says “it’s what puts food on my kids table†as police continue their hunt for those responsible. @9NewsAdel pic.twitter.com/vWHjPIml9R
— Kate Lambe (@katelambe_) July 5, 2020
SUNDAY, JULY 5
ALLEGED CAR THIEF FOUND UNDER CLOTHES
A man was found hiding under a pile of clothes after allegedly stealing a family’s BMW and several credit cards from a home in the CBD.
Police say the man, 28, of Blair Athol, broke into the home on Angas St in the early hours of Saturday morning.
He allegedly stole a mobile phone, credit cards and the family car from the garage.
Police tracked the stolen phone to a petrol station at Kilburn, while the credit cards were used at a number of different locations, including Kilburn, Blair Athol, North Adelaide and the CBD.
The stolen BMW SUV was then found on Vinrace St in the CBD later on Saturday. The next day, police tracked the man to a home on Sturt St.
Officers searched the property and found the 28-year-old hiding under a pile of clothing.
He was charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass, five counts of theft and illegal use of a motor vehicle.
He was refused bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.
MAN CRITICAL AFTER ALDINGA BEACH CRASH
A man is in a critical condition after his car collided with a truck in Adelaide’s south on Saturday night.
Police and ambulance crews were called to the Esplanade, at Aldinga Beach, after a Mazda sedan crashed with a truck towing a trailer just after 6pm.
The driver of the Mazda, a 52-year-old Sellicks Beach man, suffered serious injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics for more than an hour. He was taken to Flinders Medical Centre by helicopter, where he remains in a serious condition.
The three men travelling in the truck were not injured but were taken to the Flinders Medical Centre for a blood test.
HOONS DO BURNOUTS IN FRONT OF POLICE
Two men had their cars impounded after doing burnouts in front of police at Port Adelaide overnight. Police were monitoring an area often used for burnouts on Moorhouse Rd just before 10pm when they saw a Ford Falcon do a burnout. When police stopped the Ford, a Holden Commodore did another burnout in front of police. The driver of the Ford, a 21-year-old West Beach man, and a 19-year-old St Agnes man were reported for traffic offences including misuse of a motor vehicle and sustained wheel spin. The cars were impounded for 28 days, and the pair will appear in court at a later date.
WOMAN HURT IN SERVICE STATION ROBBERY
A man is on the run after allegedly injuring a female service station worker during an aggravated robbery in Whyalla on Saturday night.
A man entered the service station on McRitchie Crescent, Whyalla Sturt, around 8pm Saturday, armed with a pair of scissors. He allegedly threatened the attendant and stole money before leaving. During the incident, the attendant suffered an injury to her hand from the scissors, and was treated at the scene by paramedics. She did not require further medical attention.
The suspect is described as about 183cm tall, with a slim build, covering his face with a black and white T-shirt. He was wearing a dark blue puffer jacker, cream or tan chinos, and black and white shoes. He was last seen heading down Pine St, towards Booth St on foot.
Police are investigating the incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
STOLEN CAR SET ALIGHT IN PORT GAWLER
Police are investigating a suspicious car fire at Port Gawler on Saturday night.
Police and fire crews were called to an area near the intersection of Recreation Drive and Levee Track around 11.45pm Saturday after reports that a Holden Commodore was on fire. The blaze was extinguished by fire crews, but police received reports a grey/silver dual cab ute was seen leaving the area shortly before the fire. Checks revealed the Commodore was stolen. Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.