SA Police news wrap: Driver blows six times over the limit with child in the car
A disqualified driver has blown six times the legal blood alcohol limit with a child in the car. Meanwhile, an Audi driver has been treated in hospital after he crashed into the Morphett St bridge.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Rolling police news for the week starting Monday April 27, 2020.
SUNDAY, MAY 3
A disqualified driver has blown six times the legal blood alcohol limit with a child in the car.
At about 3.15pm on Saturday, May 2, a woman recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.302 after her car was located on St Andrews Tce in Port Lincoln.
She was reported for drink driving, driving while unlicensed, disorderly behaviour and will be summonsed to appear in the Port Lincoln Magistrates Court at a later date.
The 43-year-old was also issued with an additional 12 month loss of licence and had her car impounded for 28 days.
Police plan to notify the Department for Child Protection.
SATURDAY, MAY 2
NIGHT PROWLER ARRESTED
An alleged prowler has been arrested after he tried to avoid police by hiding on a roof in Adelaide’s north-west.
Police were called to a house on Days Rd in Ferryden Park about 11.45pm on Friday after a man was spotted in a backyard.
As police arrived the man climbed on to a nearby roof but was quickly surrounded.
The man safely climbed down from the roof and was arrested following negotiations with officers.
The 21-year-old Queenstown man was charged with being unlawfully on premises and hindering police.
He was bailed and will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court in October.
DRIVER REFUSES DRUG TEST
A Port Augusta man will be summonsed to face court after refusing to give a drug test when pulled over driving an unregistered car.
The 26-year-old was reported for failing to provide an oral fluid sample after police pulled his car over on Phillips St, Port Augusta about 9pm on Friday.
When police searched the man’s car they located a bag containing a substance believed to methamphetamine as well as drug paraphernalia.
The ute was impounded and the driver issued a drug diversion notice to go with his court summons.
FAMILY ESCAPE HOUSE FIRE
A family of five had a lucky escape after being woken by a smoke detector before a fire burning in a garage could spread to the rest of the property.
The fire started just after midnight on Saturday in the Wilson St, Prospect property.
The family safely evacuated from the house as Metropolitan Fire Service crews battled to stop the fire from spreading.
Crews extinguished the blaze, which threatened to move into the roof of the property, in 20 minutes.
The damage bill is estimated at $80,000. The fire is believed to have been sparked by an electrical fault.
FRIDAY, MAY 1
MAN CRASHES INTO MORPHETT ST BRIDGE
An Audi driver could face drink driving charges after he veered off a CBD road and crashed into a pillar of the Morphett St bridge overnight.
Traffic footage shows the man, 20, of Adelaide, driving his Audi along North Tce just after 2am today.
He then veers off the road and crashes into a pillar.
Police say he returned a positive reading to alcohol and could face charges, pending the results of a blood test.
He was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, just down the road, with minor injuries.
The bridge was not structurally damaged and the Audi was towed from the scene.
TWO ARRESTED AFTER STOLEN BMW ENDS UP IN LAKE
Two men have been arrested after allegedly driving a stolen BMW into a northern suburbs lake overnight, and another man is still on the run.
Officers spotted the stolen BMW sedan with three people inside on Hopner Ave in Burton just before 1am today.
These tyre tracks show where an allegedly stolen car was driven into a catchment at Paralowie... Two men aged in their 20s have been arrested, a third (the driver) is on the run. @9NewsAdel pic.twitter.com/hyMtfApVTF
— Lucy Hinton (@LucyHinton_9) April 30, 2020
Police did not pursue the vehicle, but it was seen again a short time later driving into McQueen Court Reserve off Fairbanks Drive at Paralowie before driving into a lake.
Officers quickly arrested one of the passengers, a 20-year-old man from Mawson Lakes, while the driver ran away through the reserve.
A second passenger remained in the water until it was too cold for him.
The Mawson Lakes man was charged with illegal use and bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in August.
The other passenger, a 22-year-old man of no fixed address, was taken to the Lyell McEwin Hospital for a medical assessment and is expected to be charged later today.
The driver is still on the run.
Police say the BMW was stolen from a Hyde Park address overnight on Monday.
Two people have been arrested after the stolen car they were in plunged into a pond in Paralowie. The driver remains on the run. @10NewsFirstAdl pic.twitter.com/hIEF2WxDas
— Jase Kemp (@jasetaylorkemp) April 30, 2020
DRIVER FLEES AFTER CRASHING INTO CARPORT
A driver is on the run after crashing into a carport at Semaphore Park on Thursday night.
Police say a dark station wagon lost control coming around a corner and hit a fence on Grebe St about 9.15pm.
It fishtailed and crashed into the roller door of the home before the driver reversed out and drove away on Kingfisher Drive.
The car was last seen heading towards Bartley Tce.
SES crews were called in to secure the structure and there were no injuries.
Officers are reviewing CCTV footage in the area and ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
THURSDAY, APRIL 30
DRIVER CRASHES INTO TWO POLICE CARS IN A STOLEN CAR
A man was arrested for numerous offences in Mt Gambier, including crashing into two police vehicles in a stolen car.
Police attended Perriam St after reports of a man loitering in a Mazda just before 9am Thursday.
Checks of the car revealed it had been stolen in a break-in on Umpherston St overnight.
Patrols attempted to block the vehicle but it drove away crashing into two police vehicles.
No officers were injured in the incident.
Police spiked nearby Commercial St West in an attempt to slow the vehicle where it lost control and crashed into a gutter.
The driver of the Mazda attempted to flee the scene but was quickly arrested by an officer who was two hours into his first shift.
The 26-year-old Mt Gambier man was charged with serious criminal trespass, illegal use of a motor vehicle, unlawfully on premises, driving with a suspended licence and driving dangerously to evade police.
He will appear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Friday and did not apply for bail.
MAN ‘REVERSES INTO POLICE CAR’ AFTER PURSUIT
A man has been arrested after allegedly reversing into a police car following a pursuit through the southern suburbs on Wednesday night.
Police tried to stop the driver of a black Mitsubishi Verada sedan on South Rd at Melrose Park just before 9.20pm.
The man behind the wheel, 43, of Parafield Gardens, allegedly refused to stop and continued south on South Rd.
He was followed through St Marys and Darlington before passing through O’Halloran Hill on the Southern Expressway.
Police say the man turned off at Sherrifs Rd, where the Mitsubishi was spiked, puncturing all of its tyres.
However, the man continued driving north onto Main South Rd, where patrols were able to box him in near Panatalinga Rd.
It is alleged he then crashed into the rear of a police car, causing minor damage.
The 43-year-old man was arrested and charged with a number of serious offences, including endanger life and driving to escape police pursuit.
He was refused bail and appeared in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court yesterday.
The pursuit comes after the Tuesday arrest of a man, 28, who allegedly reversed into a police car on purpose in Mount Gambier last week, causing panel damage and a bucked bonnet.
He was remanded in custody to face court in September.
‘HIGH’ TRUCK DRIVER BUSTED ON AUGUSTA HIGHWAY
A truck driver high cannabis and methamphetamine will face court after he was stopped on the Augusta Highway at Stirling North.
Police pulled over a man 40, of Meadows, on the highway about 9.30pm on Wednesday.
He returned a positive result to cannabis and methamphetamine – and officers found drug equipment, including an ice pipe, inside the truck.
Police say he was also driving without a National Heavy Vehicle Work Diary.
He was reported for driving under the influence and was issued an expiation for work diary offences.
Police also issued a cannabis expiation and a drug diversion.
He was ordered not to drive for 24 hours and may be further charged pending the results of an official drug test.
The 40-year-pold will appear in court at a later date.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
‘KNIFE-WIELDING’ MAN ARRESTED AT SUPERMARKET
A man armed with a knife has been arrested after climbing into the roof space of a CBD building this morning.
A member of the public noticed the man, 26, of Oaklands Park, holding a knife and acting suspiciously on South Tce about 8.10am.
He ran off when officers approached him and managed to crawl into the roof space of a nearby building on Gilbert St, near the IGA supermarket.
MFS crews, a police dog and STAR Group officers were called in to get the man down, while a police drone hovered above.
He was arrested “without incident” just before 10am.
The 26-year-old was charged with property damage, unlawfully on premises, unlawful possession and hinder.
Police seized a stolen bike that he was allegedly riding.
He was refused bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Police surround a supermarket on Gilbert St in Adelaide. Reports of a man with a knife on the roof @abcadelaide pic.twitter.com/Dsvm5hnVIh
— Richard Davies (@DaviesRich) April 28, 2020
BUS DRIVER ASSAULTED IN BEDFORD PARK
Police are seeking assistance from the public to identify a man who allegedly threw alcohol on a bus driver when they attempted to stop the man from boarding the bus in Bedford Park.
A bus driver was standing near stop 26A at the Flinders Medical Centre when a man carrying a bottle of alcohol approached and attempted to board the bus. When the driver intervened, the suspect threw alcohol all over his face and clothing.
The suspect is described as being caucasian, 18-22 years old, a slim build, 150-150cms tall with brown short hair, wearing a medical face mask, glasses and a organs visibility jacket.
The victim did not require medical attention, but police are concerned that the suspect was wearing a face mask at the time. Anyone with information, contact Crime Stoppers.
THREE BROOKLYN PARK HOMES SEARCHED FOR CANNABIS
Cannabis plants were seized from three Brooklyn Park homes on the weekend, and three men were reported after the property searches.
Police attended the Brooklyn Park addresses and seized cannabis plants from all three addresses on Sunday. A 69-year-old man was reported for cultivating 11 cannabis plants and possessing prescribed equipment, a 44-year-old man was reported for cultivating eight cannabis plants, possessing prescribed equipment and diverting electricity, and a 64-year-old man was reported for cultivating 15 cannabis plants, possessing prescribed equipment and diverting electricity. The men will be summonsed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.
MAN ARRESTED OVER SERIES OF CBD BREAK-IN
A man remains behind bars after a cache of stolen goods, including a mountain bike and a coffee machine, were allegedly found inside his Adelaide hotel room this week.
Police allege the man, 48, of Adelaide, broke into a number of shops and restaurants in the CBD between April 17 and April 26.
He was identified after CCTV footage captured him allegedly in the act.
Officers arrested the man at a hotel room on Wakefield St just after 5pm on Monday, where they found various stolen products, including alcohol, a mountain bike, power tools, a coffee machine and a stereo system.
He was charged with two counts of criminal trespass, attempt serious criminal trespass, three counts of theft and breach of bail.
He appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he was remanded in custody.
Police revealed last month there had been a spike in break-ins at businesses since widespread closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Operation Hurricane II”, a police crackdown, was launched to combat the recent rise of thefts.
DRUNK DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER PURSUIT
A man who was driving while more than three times the legal blood-alcohol limit has been arrested after allegedly leading police on a pursuit at Kadina this morning.
Police tried to stop the man, 27, of Old Noarlunga, on Graves St about 12.50am on Wednesday.
Behind the wheel of a white Holden 4WD, the man allegedly sped off and was pursued to Martin Tce.
He eventually stopped on Laver Rd, where he blew 0.185 and was arrested.
He has been charged with exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol, failing to stop for police, driving unlicensed and driving an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle.
The 27-year-old was bailed to appear in court at a later date.
TUESDAY, APRIL 28
TWO CHARGED AFTER DRUGS, $1M IN CASH SEIZED
Two people have been charged and nearly $1 million in cash seized after a drug bust in a CBD hotel.
The man and the woman face drug trafficking and money laundering charges after a police investigation that began with a pursuit last week.
Police located an abandoned white Mercedes in Grange after the pursuit on April 16, and found a handgun inside the vehicle.
The suspect was identified as staying at a hotel in Adelaide CBD, and after police searched their hotel room on Friday they allegedly uncovered 200 grams of meth, around 20 grams of cocaine, 700ml of fantasy, steroids, prescription medication and more than $995,000 cash.
A 35-year-old Torrensville man and a 31-year-old Mitchell Park woman were arrested on Friday and Sunday.
They have been charged with possession of a firearm without a licence, trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, two counts of trafficking a controlled drug, two counts of possessing a prescription drug, money laundering and resisting police.
They were refused bail and appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court today where they were remanded in custody.
MAN CRITICAL AFTER ASSAULT
A man is fighting for life after he was allegedly bashed with a weapon in the northern suburbs on Tuesday.
Police say the fight started between two men, one armed with a golf club and the other with a hammer, on Underdown Rd at Elizabeth South about 12.30pm.
One of the men, 49, of Elizabeth South, suffered life-threatening head injuries and underwent emergency surgery in hospital.
Police arrested a 46-year-old man from the same suburb over the incident and charged him with aggravated cause serious harm.
He was refused bail to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Both men are known to each other.
TEENAGER ARRESTED AFTER BREAK-IN
A teenage boy has been arrested after allegedly breaking into a home in Adelaide’s leafy eastern suburbs and stealing a Mercedes-Benz sedan this morning.
Police are also hunting a second suspect who is on the run after the pair broke into a house on Park Rd in Kensington Park about 4.15am on Tuesday.
The stolen Mercedes Benz was later spotted on the Port River Expressway, where patrols gave chase.
But, the pursuit was called off for safety reasons.
The two suspects, including a 17-year-old boy, abandoned the car on Dudley St and ran away just before 5am.
Police caught the 17-year-old nearby on Hampshire St. He is now facing several charges, including aggravated serious criminal trespass and illegal use of a motor vehicle.
He is expected to be refused bail and will appear in court on Tuesday afternoon.
Police are still looking for the second suspect, and anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MONDAY, APRIL 27
TWO MEN CHARGED WITH GUN, DRUG OFFENCES
A police traffic stop north of Adelaide led to the discovery of five handguns, 14 grams of MDMA and more than $8500 in cash on Sunday.
Two men were arrested over the haul after they were pulled over on Mallala Rd at Mallala about 12.15pm.
Allegedly inside the vehicle, officers found the five pistols, four of which were revolvers.
It is also alleged they found MDMA and $8570 in cash.
The two men, a 20-year-old from Munno Para West and a 26-year-old from Wild Horse Plains, were both charged with trafficking a controlled drug.
They were also charged with five counts of possessing a firearm without a licence, five counts of failing to secure a firearm and unlawful possession.
Both men were granted bail and will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in August.
MAN CHARGED OVER ROAD RAGE INCIDENT
A man has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a teenage driver in a road rage incident in Adelaide’s northern suburbs on Sunday evening.
An 18-year-old man behind the wheel of a Subaru Liberty reported to police that a Toyota driver crashed into his car and deliberately forced him off the road into a fence.
The incident happened at the intersection of York Tce and Leslie McIntyre Ave in Salisbury Downs about 7.30pm on Sunday.
“The Toyota driver has then exited his car and allegedly assaulted the Subaru driver,” a police statement read.
The Subaru driver and his 17-year-old male passenger were both taken to the Lyell McEwin Hospital with minor injuries.
The male driver of the Toyota, 28, of Parafield Gardens, was arrested and charged with acts to endanger life and assault.
He was granted bail to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in August, while both cars were seized for further police examination.
Police believe that a third vehicle, a blue 2002 Mitsubishi sedan, was also involved in the incident.
Detectives are asking anyone with dashcam footage that captured the Mitsubishi, a blue 2001 Subaru Liberty or a silver 1994 Toyota LandCruiser to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
TRUCK ROLLOVER ON COPPER COAST HIGHWAY
A truck carrying a load of sheep has rolled over on the Copper Coast Highway near Beaufort.
The truck flipped at the roundabout with the Yorke Highway just after 10am today.
A police spokesman said no one was injured, but a number of sheep on the truck will need to be euthanised.
Only one lane of traffic is able to pass through and delays are expected for several hours.
Major traffic delays after a truck rollover on the Copper Coast Hwy at roundabout with Yorke Hwy.
— South Australia Police (@SAPoliceNews) April 27, 2020
Only one lane of traffic can pass through the roundabout at a time.
Delays are expected for several hours. #Traffic pic.twitter.com/k1jaKrJkIT
CAR TORCHED AT CROYDON
A stolen car has been deliberately torched in Adelaide’s western suburbs overnight.
The blaze started on Euston Tce in Croydon about 2.20am on Monday.
When police arrived they found a Holden Astra on fire in the middle of the road.
Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames, but the vehicle was completely destroyed.
Police say the car was stolen from Dry Creek on Friday night.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
‘DANGEROUS’ RIDER ARRESTED AFTER PURSUIT
A motorcyclist who was allegedly speeding and riding through several red lights has been arrested after he was followed by a police helicopter for almost an hour on Sunday night.
The 25-year-old man from Munno Para was first spotted speeding on Main North Rd at Elizabeth East just after 10pm on Sunday.
Police noticed the motorbike, a 2006 Yamaha, which was allegedly stolen from Unley on April 7, did not have any registration plates attached.
Patrols stayed out of the 25-year-old’s sight as the PolAir helicopter tracked his movements for almost an hour through the northern and western suburbs.
It is alleged he travelled at high speeds and rode through red lights on Main North, Regency and Churchill roads.
He was followed to a home in Blakeview, where he was arrested and charged with several offences, including acts to endanger life and theft of a motor vehicle.
He was refused bail to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday.
CANNABIS FOUND BEHIND FAKE WALL
A man will face court after police officers found five cannabis plants allegedly behind a hidden wall in his Renmark West shed.
Police searched his home on Tarcoola St about 6pm last Thursday.
It is alleged the found a false wall in his shed, behind which were five cannabis plants.
The plants were seized and the resident, 54, was reported for cultivating cannabis.
He will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.