Task Force Southern: Police find 300 bullets near Clare in investigation of three drug murders in Adelaide’s south

New arrests have been made linked to a vehicle theft after police found hundreds of bullets while searching for a missing man.

Police have now found more than 300 bullets, believed to be evidence in the hunt for missing man Robert Atkins.

It comes as Task Force Southern detectives on Saturday morning arrested a couple over a stolen excavator linked to suspects in the murder investigation.

The excavators was used in the Mid North and seized on July 12 by Northern Territory police after a Borroloola property was raided. The excavator worth $50,000 and trailer was stolen from a Meadows property in November 2019, and “is linked to suspects in the investigation”, a police spokesperson said.

Just before 9.30am Saturday, Major Crime detectives attended a property on Booborowie Rd at Booborowie and arrested a man, 60 and a woman, 57 and charged them with theft.

No further charges have been laid yet and the pair will appear in court in Clare in September.

The extensive police search at Spalding, near Clare, was suspended on Friday evening, but will continue over the coming days.

The excavator theft is believed to be linked to suspects in the Task Force Southern investigation. Picture: SA Police

Earlier, police said two people seen acting suspiciously on a bridge in the state’s Mid North were dumping evidence in the murder of missing man.

Police divers searched the Hutt River at Spalding – and along the Goyder Highway, north of Clare – for the gun used to murder Mr Atkins.

The Hutt River used to be a popular swimming hole for locals a couple of years ago.

More than 200 bullets were found during the search on Friday, putting the total number of bullets found at over 300.

Ten empty ammunition boxes were also bagged for evidence, but the gun is yet to be found.

Mr Atkins is one of at least three men police believe were murdered by drug dealers in Adelaide’s southern suburbs, and was held captive, tortured for up to week and murdered.

REPLAY THE PRESS CONFERENCE

A middle-aged couple – thought to be locals – were seen acting suspiciously on the bridge in June, Detective Superintendent Des Bray said.

He said the couple were seen about 3:45pm on Wednesday, June 22, on Broughton Valley Road near the bridge over the Hutt River, south of Spalding.

Police later found bullets for a .38-calibre pistol and packaging, from which they are confident they will obtain fingerprints and/or DNA.

“We know that … a couple were seen just near the bridge, acting suspiciously when a truck went past,” Det Supt Bray said.

Police divers search a river near Spalding, in the state’s Mid North, for the murder weapon thought to have been used in the death of Robert Atkins. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

“It appears they became spooked on seeing the truck and left the area immediately and then returned a few minutes later when they thought there was nobody in the area and nobody left to see them.

“We know that they got out of the vehicle and they disposed of what we believe to be ammunition and also a firearm, which we suspect may have been used in the murder of Robert.”

About 37 officers including specialist divers and STAR Group officers are searching in two separate areas around Spalding and Booborowie, hunting for the gun used to kill Mr Atkins and more ammunition.

Another bullet is found in the search for evidence in the murder of Robert Atkins. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier.

“We believe the people seen at the bridge on June 22 may have been disposing evidence on behalf of a suspect in Robert’s murder,” Det Supt Bray said.

“I’m very optimistic … we may have a witness that may be able to identify the couple and the vehicle. We will be having an interview with them in the near future.”

He said police expected to recover DNA and fingerprints from the bullets and packaging, and identify the couple.

“It may also lead to convictions of anyone who assisted murder suspects,” he said.

“To assist offenders before, during or after a murder is a very serious offence and those people should expect to go to prison.”

The police suggested now is the time for them to come forward and tell police what they know.

@SAPoliceNews are searching for a weapon and ammunition in what they believed was used in the murder of an Adelaide man. About 37 police are at the scene. Read the story https://t.co/[e-mail]/jygmOaRZeP

— Tia Ewen (@tia_ewen) July 15, 2022

“If anyone has found bullets or packaging along RM Williams Way or the Goyder Highway near Spalding please also contact Crime Stoppers.”

Police said Mr Atkins had been taken into scrub around Orroroo where he was executed.

A composite image from SA Police showing bullets found near the Hutt River ridge, south of Spalding.

Packaging was also found in the area. Picture: SA Police

A police diver searches part of the Hutt River, north of Clare, for the gun that killed Robert Atkins. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier.

Police are also searching bushland for evidence. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier.

There is a reward of $200,000 for information leading to the conviction of the people who Mr Atkins or recovery of his remains.

The 42-person Task Force Southern involves detectives, intelligence officers and forensic scientist to investigate the murders of three men, of which two bodies have not been found.

Drug debts are believed to be a motive in at least some of the killings, which include:

ROBERT ATKINS, 31, from the southern suburbs, who was held captive and tortured for up to a week and then moved and murdered at Port Pirie. His body is still missing

TREVOR KING, 41, from the southern suburbs, whose body was found in January 2020 and initially treated as a suicide. It is now believe he was tortured with a blow torch and had his hands smashed.

JEFF MUNDY, 36, from the southern suburbs. He was last seen in CTV footage at a chemist at the end of 2020, and his body is yet to be located.

Robert Atkins, Trevor King and Jeff Mundy, all believed to have been murder victims.

Major Crime detectives, police officers and STAR Group officers search in grass and bush along Peak Rd, between Peterborough and Orroroo. Picture: Emma Brasier

Police have already undertaken an extensive search in remote scrub between Peterborough and Orroroo in February for the body of Robert Atkins in February.

Officers had hoped for a breakthrough in the search for the missing Christie Downs man after the four-day search but returned without major announcement.

UNRAVELLING THE RIDDLE

FEBRUARY 5, 2019
Trevor King is believed to have been lured to a house where he was unlawfully detained and tortured for up to six hours over a drug debt that blew out to $50,000.
Some debt was paid and he was let go, after he was forced to clean up the scene of the crime. Four people were arrested and charged with unlawful detention and serious assault.
Police believe as a result of pressure and intimidation, Mr King withdrew his statement and the alleged offenders were released. Mr King fled to Queensland where he remained for a considerable period, before returning to South Australia a few months before his death in 2020.

JANUARY 4, 2020
Mr King was found dead in the water at West Lakes. Police ruled out any suspicious activity, declaring it an overdose. However, his mobile phone remained active in the area.
Police now believe his death was staged to look like an overdose.

AUGUST 2020
A 2010 black Jeep Cherokee registered number S556AJE is stolen from Millswood.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020
CCTV captures Robert Atkins with another person committing crimes in Adelaide’s North.
The two men visited Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi and BWS in Gepps Cross as well as Liquorland and Bank SA in Port Adelaide.
Police now believe Mr Atkins had been held against his will for about a week prior and assaulted. It is believed Mr Atkins thought if he obeyed the direction of his captors he would be let go. 

NOVEMBER 16, 2020
Mr Atkins is believed to have been murdered at daybreak within the area of Port Pirie and Booborowie and his body left near Orroroo. It is believed he was taken to the area in the stolen 2010 Jeep. It was later captured by a safety camera on its way back to Adelaide near Willaston. 
He isn’t reported missing until nearly two months later in January.

DECEMBER 19, 2020
The last day Jeff Mundy is seen alive. He was captured on CCTV at a chemist in the Colonnades Shopping Centre at Noarlunga, before returning home to his parent’s house.
At 3pm he left and was seen speaking to an unknown male at the Seaford interchange.
Police believe Mr Mundy got off a bus in Sellicks Beach at 6.30pm. Police say his whereabouts from then on are unknown.

DECEMBER 23, 2020
Mr Mundy is reported missing by his mother. His family spends the next few months sending out desperate pleas for information related to his whereabouts, saying it was out of character he had not been in contact. 
“He was last seen leaving his Seaford address … his phone hasn’t been turned on, no cash and wasn’t wearing a shirt at the time,” a friend said in January.
“Any information would be of great help. His family and friends are absolutely shattered at this point as it’s out of character for Jeff to not make contact.”

JANUARY 2, 2021
Mr Atkins is reported missing by his mother.

JULY 22, 2021
Detectives search a house on Mander Road at Christie Downs – Mr Atkins last known address. Detectives seized sections of flooring for forensic analysis.
They spent several hours at the house, before returning the following day to remove a couch. 

AUGUST 21, 2021 
A Seaford man, 31, is arrested for the unlawful detention of Mr Atkins. 

AUGUST 26, 2021
An Aldinga man, 33, is arrested for the unlawful detention of Mr Atkins. A Seacombe Gardens man, 46, was charged with drug offences, which arose during the investigation.

AUGUST 27, 2021
A Seaford man, 33, is charged with unlawful detention and aggravated assault in relation to Mr Atkins.

DECEMBER 1, 2021
Major Crime detectives announce Task Force Southern – one of the largest investigations of its type, involving 42 detectives, intelligence officers and forensic scientists – to investigate the murders of Mr Atkins, Mr Mundy and Mr King.

Originally published as Task Force Southern: Police find 300 bullets near Clare in investigation of three drug murders in Adelaide’s south