Media Releases

A total of 40 people were charged with a range of serious offences during August thanks to information provided by the community, along with three firearms seized by police.

During August our weekly crime segment on 9News Adelaide supported National Missing Persons Week and called for any information about several long-term missing South Australians, profiled the unsolved disappearance and presumed murder of young mother Tanja Ebert and the $200,000 reward on offer to find her remains, called for help to solve the murders of Damian Cauchi and Russell Bradshaw and sought assistance to identify a man wanted for a brutal one-punch attack at the Salisbury Interchange.

During August:

• We received nearly 2000 telephone calls and reports via the website and Report Suspicious Behaviour app;
• We provided police with a total of 971 intelligence reports;
• 894 actions were issued, resulting in 55 apprehensions;
• More than 10,000 people went to the Crime Stoppers SA website and generated more than 27,000 page views;
• 3 firearms were seized amongst an arsenal of other dangerous weapons;
• 81 cannabis plants, 2.2kg of dried cannabis and 128g of Amphet-Meth was located;
• 29 males and 11 females were charged with a range of serious offences.

If you have any information about criminal activity and unsolved crimes, then don’t forget that you can call our free hotline on 1800 333 000, go to crimestopperssa.com.au or download the free Report Suspicious Behaviour app for iOS and Android phones.

And as always, rewards are available and you can remain anonymous.

South Australians planning to venture out for this long weekend have been warned to take some basic precautions around the home before heading off.

The campaign, presented by Crime Stoppers SA in partnership with the Police Credit Union provides handy security tips for people to consider to avoid falling victim to opportunistic thieves.

Crime Stoppers SA Chair, Ms Sharon Hanlon, said most break-ins tend to occur on a Friday, with a back door the most common way to gain entry.

Most common items stolen are jewellery, car keys and tools.

“Unlocked windows and doors continue to be the biggest security weakness for many burgled Australian homes, so people should take time to double-check that all are locked, and make sure that sheds, garage doors, and side gates are also locked too,” Ms Hanlon said.

Crime Stoppers SA recommends the following tips for home owners:

• Invest in a home security system – when it comes to choosing a home security system, it can be as simple or as complex as you want. Options range from an intruder alarm that covers entry points like windows and doors, through to a security alarm system with motion sensors that covers a home and garage. The tech-savvy might even want to opt for a closed-circuit camera to film any unwelcome guests that can be accessed via a smartphone app that sends an alert when an intruder is detected. And if you already have a security system, check to make sure it is working properly, and remember to turn it on.
• Hide spare keys – It’s not uncommon for people to leave spare house keys under a pot plant or door mat, despite being the most likely hiding places. Play it safe and give a spare set of keys to someone you trust instead. If you plan to leave any vehicles at home while you’re away, it is always a good idea to hide the keys to prevent thieves making off with your car or motorcycle too.
• Install an outdoor sensor light – Movement activated outdoor sensor lights are a great way to illuminate a would-be burglar lurking in the shadows. Make sure to test it before you head off.
• Roller shutters or security screens – Roller shutters and security screens are a great way to prevent access and keep the contents of your home hidden from potential thieves.
• Suspend the newspaper – Consider asking a trusted neighbour to collect any mail while you’re away, and suspend any newspaper delivery to avoid any pile-ups in your front yard over the weekend because it shows that you’re not likely to be home.
• Have light timers – A dark house is a sure-fire giveaway that you’re not at home, so install some light timers to turn your lights on and off to give your place that lived-in look.
• Opt for a house- or pet-sitter – If your four-legged friend is going to be left behind, have a friend or family member house-sit while you’re away to secure your home against theft, feed your pet, collect the mail, pick up newspapers, and put out the bins.
• Put away any outdoor equipment – Outdoor items are also an attractive prize for a thief, so put away valuable outdoor equipment and furniture, solar panel lights, sports gear and toys, and bicycles. Lock away ladders or bins so they cannot be used to enter your home from a higher position, and don’t leave tools or garden implements laying around because they can provide an opportunistic thief with a way to enter your home.
• Make a record – It is a good idea to prepare for the worst, so make an inventory of your property, and take photographs of any engravings, marks and any other relevant details. It will make your stolen property harder to sell and easier to trace, and will help with any insurance claim you might have to make. Consider marking items with your name and/or your driver’s licence number, and remember to record details of a manufacturer, model name or number, and any serial number of your most prized possessions.

At about 7.37 pm on 7th December, 2016, the pictured male entered Dan Murphy’s Marion at 461 Morphett Road, Oaklands Park and placed a 1 litre bottle of white label Jim Beam down his pants.  The male then left the store.  Two Loss Prevention Officers witnessed the theft.  They followed the male outside of the store where they confronted him.  The male has then punched one of the Loss Prevention Officers on the forearm.  The male then continued to walk away.  The Loss Prevention Officers continued to follow the male who has then raised the bottle of Jim Beam above his head toward the Loss Prevention Officers before running away.

The male is described as:  approximately 180 cm (5’11”), approximately 65 kg, skinny build, Aboriginal, dark skin with black hair, wearing a green jacket, black pants and black shoes

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, report online or via the App.

A decision by government to not support the Crime Stoppers program in South Australia makes it the only state not to receive any State Government funding.

The lack of budget allocation comes despite a public commitment by the previous government and a number of subsequent briefings with the Minister for Police and his advisers, who have acknowledged the efforts of the highly effective crime-fighting program but do not follow up accolades with action.

As an independent not for profit that provides safe and anonymous means to report crime and criminal activity, Crime Stoppers SA has achieved significant results on a shoe-string budget, but a number of earmarked crime prevention initiatives across regional and metropolitan communities are now in jeopardy.

Despite solving an average of 25 crimes every week and directly contributing to a safer South Australia, the program has never received financial support from State Government for its day-to-day operations and rewards scheme.

That lack of support now forces Crime Stoppers SA to consider cost-cutting measures and other ways to fund its campaigns and operations – which also include costs associated with hosting the 1800 333 000 hotline, website, and its Rewards Program.

Since the program first began in South Australia, more than $220,000 in rewards have been paid to members of the community, more than 32,127 crimes solved, 21,141 persons apprehended and about $9.4m worth of property recovered.

In addition to winning three categories in the 2017 Crime Stoppers International media awards, the 2017 achievements for Crime Stoppers SA include:

• 19,439 calls from people wanting to share information about criminals and their illegal activities;
• 4,222 online and other reports lodged using the app or website www.crimestopperssa.com.au
• 911 apprehensions including wanted fugitives, arsonists, and suspects wanted for robberies, theft and assault;
• 1,901 charges laid for drug dealing, firearms, robbery, serious assaults and child pornography offences; and
• 79 firearms seized – including ammunition and a range of illegal accessories.
• 1266 plants and 241kg of cannabis (which equates to 86,229 street deals);
• Shut down of 12 clandestine labs and 1.3kg of amphetamine seized (equates to 16, 920 street deals);

More results can be seen at https://crimestopperssa.com.au/statistics/

About Crime Stoppers SA

Crime Stoppers began in South Australia in 1996 and since then has played a critical role in encouraging people to come forward with information that helps to solve crimes and educate on topics such as property and personal safety, vehicle theft, and cyber safety. The program encourages people to be alert and engaged participants in their community and provides a secure way for information about illegal activity and unsolved crimes to be passed to police through an independent toll-free hotline and a website that guarantees anonymity with the option of a reward. Crime Stoppers SA works with police, the media and the public to solve, reduce and prevent crime.

More about Crime Stoppers SA can be found at https://crimestopperssa.com.au