Operation Roam: Hunt for Australia’s most wanted fugitives
THEY stand accused of sex crimes, armed robbery and even murder. These are Australia’s most wanted and dangerous criminals.
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ARMED robbery. Sex crimes. Drugs. Even a murder.
These are some of the serious crimes that a group of Australians are wanted by police for. The problem is they are fugitives — on the run and on the loose in the community.
The group could be anywhere in Australia because police suspect some may have crossed state lines to evade capture.
Today police across Australia are joining forces with Crimestoppers Australia on Operation Roam, a campaign that calls on the public’s help to find them.
Bryan Roach, the chairman of Crime Stoppers Australia, said it was these suspects that featured prominently on this year’s list.
“Our list features fugitives who are suspected of serious crimes such as murder, assault, armed robbery, rape and drug trafficking as well as a range of other crimes. They need to be accountable for their alleged offences.”
Some of them fugitives were part of last year’s campaign, suggesting they are particularly skilled in hiding from the law.
Tips that lead to the arrest of any of the fugitives are worth $1000, Mr Roach said.
Authorities have warned some of the wanted may have assumed false identities and could be living an “assumed normal life in your suburb”.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Stewart of the Queensland Police Service said:
“Suspects could be in your neighbourhood now. If you see one of these people, call triple-0 immediately. If you have information on their whereabouts, you can make an anonymous call to 1800 333 000 or you can make an online report via crimestoppers.com.au.”
His New South Wales counterpart Assistant Commissioner Peter Barrie said police in each state were “working together” to hunt the fugitives down.
Social media was continuing to be a “very powerful communication tool,” he said.
“At the click of a button we can share pictures and information with hundreds of thousands of people in the community; tapping into a potential wealth of knowledge.”
The CEO of Crime Stoppers NSW, Peter Price, urged people to look at each of the photos carefully. Because you never know where they might be hiding.
These people are living right here, among us, maybe even next door to you so please look at these photos carefully,” Mr Price said
Operation Roam runs until August 28.
THE MOST WANTED
BRADY RALPH HAMILTON
Wanted in relation to a homicide in Sydney in 1999.
LESLIE GORDON SHARP
Has been convicted of attempted murder and sexual offences and was released on parole, then vanished. He is wanted for not complying with his parole order.
DAVID RITCHIE
Police say Ritchie is wanted in relation to serious property, weapons and traffic offences.
ANDREW MARK ROOS
Police allege Roos was involved in sexual and indecent assaults between 2013 and 2015
HISHAM TOUBA
Touba is wanted by police for aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping/abduction and supply of drugs
GEOFFREY FRANKILN WALLACE
Wanted for alleged aggravated break and enter and assault
PETER TREVOR CLARMONT
Wanted for not complying with a parole order. He was convicted of rape in 2010.
KENNETH ROBERT COOK
Police allege he committed numerous sexual assaults in Queensland between 1996 and 2002
TROY NEWTON
Allegedly involved in a violent burglary in Minyama on the Sunshine Coast.
GINO STOCCO
It is alleged STOCCO was involved in multiple property offences throughout Queensland during 2012 and 2013.
MICHAEL DAVISON TILLMAN
Was allegedly involved in an attempted murder in Surfers Paradise in September 2010
STUART PEARCE
Pearce is wanted for the murder of his wife and 3 children at Parafield Gardens in Adelaide’s north in 1991.
SAMUEL WIREMU TAMATI
Tamati was allegedly involved in aggravated robbery in Kilkenny, Adelaide in June 2013.
ROBERT DOUGLAS CAIRNS
Wanted for breach of parole in Victoria. His prior convictions are for aggravated burglary, theft, making threats to kill, weapons offences and serious assaults.
DUC LUU
Luu is wanted in relation to breaching his parole in Victoria. He has prior convictions for
trafficking cannabis, theft and cultivating a narcotic plant.
WADE MACKENZIE
It is alleged Mackenzie was involved in an assault offence in Mordialloc, Victoria in June 2013 in which a baseball bat was used to seriously injure the victim.
GRAHAM GENE POTTER
Potter was allegedly involved in conspiring to murder and drug trafficking in July 2008.
HOA XUAN BUI
Wanted in relation to drugs offences in West Perth in January 2014
BERND NEUMANN
Escaped while on day release from a Western Australian jail. He still had 11 years of a drugs sentence to serve.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to these incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
Originally published as Operation Roam: Hunt for Australia’s most wanted fugitives
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