Operation Mandrake investigating ‘crime series’ in days before alleged home invasion murder of Dr Michael Yung inside Gilberton home

A youth gang task force was probing whether a “crime series” in some of Adelaide’s wealthiest suburbs is linked to the alleged brutal home invasion murder of a prominent Adelaide doctor.

Detectives continue their investigation into the violent assault of intensive care pediatrician Dr Michael Yung during a break-in at his Gilberton home. Picture: Mark Brake

A youth gang task force was probing whether a “crime series” in some of Adelaide’s wealthiest suburbs was linked to the alleged brutal home invasion murder of a prominent Adelaide doctor.

All available Major Crime Investigation Branch detectives have been allocated to investigate the attack on Dr Yung, 61, inside his Gilberton home on Monday morning.

Operation Mandrake detectives are also investigating a spate of attempted car thefts and break ins in some of the city’s most affluent areas in the past week.

Premier Peter Malinasukas led tributes to a “great South Australian” as he said his government “stands ready to provide any additional resources needed to assist in the investigation, should they be required”.

Major Crime boss Detective Superintendent Des Bray said officers from Operation Mandrake, established in 2003 to investigate Indigenous youth crime, have been investigating a “crime series” of up to 15 potentially related incidents in recent days.

These included Gilberton, Walkerville and Medindie, in Adelaide’s inner north-east, as well as beachside suburbs Henley Beach, Fulham and Tennyson in Adelaide’s west.

“This wouldn’t be the first time these people have committed these crimes but certainly I know that there’s been an escalation in the last couple of days where there’s been these 15 offences committed by these people,” Det Supt Bray said.

“I’ve got every confidence that Operation Mandrake will locate them and arrest them.”

Dr Yung, the former head of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital pediatric intensive care unit, died in the Royal Adelaide Hospital, from catastrophic injuries after the violent attack just after 4.20am on Monday.

Det Supt Bray the attack was “most likely” sparked during the attempted theft of Dr Yung’s luxury BMW car and other personal items.

Det Supt Bray said a black BMW was seen driving slowly along James St, where Dr Yung lives, as well as five people on foot at 12.05am Monday.

Dr Michael Yung, who is the former head of the WCH's ICU, died from his injuries on Tuesday. Picture: WCH

A detective outside Dr Michael Yung’s Gilberton home on Tuesday. Picture: Mark Brake

Detectives and forensics returned to the home of intensive care pediatrician Dr Michael Yung a day after he was seriously assaulted during a break-in at his Gilberton home. Picture: Mark Brake

He said five people, believed to have been the same people seen on James St, were seen at a home on Dutton Tce at Medindie at 12.23am Monday.

At 2.45am, a black BMW crashed on Seaview Rd at Tennyson, where five people fled the scene.

Det Supt Bray said several offenders were walking the streets throughout the north-western suburbs trying to steal cars at that time.

He said a Mazda was stolen from West Lakes before being recovered almost 40km away at Davoren Park on Monday night.

Any link between Dr Yung’s alleged murder and youth crime gangs was ruled out, however, following the arrest on Tuesday night of a man and woman over the incident.

Major Crime Investigation Branch boss Detective Superintendent Des Bray said Operation Mandrake was investigating a “crime series” in the day’s before Dr Yung was attacked. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

At 3.40am Monday, a torch light was seen near Dr Yung’s home, with a person also spotted trying to break into his son’s car.

Det Supt Bray said “quite poor” CCTV had captured two people walking on James St about 4.20am.

Det Supt Bray appealed for anyone with dashcam footage from midnight to 5am Monday within a 500m radius of James St or anyone with information about the assault on Dr Yung to come forward.

He said Dr Yung’s “distraught” son was not being treated as a suspect.

“His son is a good person who has absolutely nothing to do with this,” he said.

“It’s fortunate he also wasn’t the victim of the terrible assault Michael suffered.”

Earlier, Premier Peter Malinauskas described the attack on Dr Yung as a “confronting crime”.

“Dr Michael Yung is an outstanding South Australian who has looked after our children in their time of most need and to see this tragedy unfold is incredibly confronting,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“Our thoughts are with his family, first and foremost.

“This is a great shock for the whole state.”

Originally published as Operation Mandrake investigating ‘crime series’ in days before alleged home invasion murder of Dr Michael Yung inside Gilberton home