Media Releases

Channel 9 Adelaide Managing Director, Mr Sean O’Brien, has been announced as the newest Ambassador for Crime Stoppers South Australia, joining a number of other top-level South Australian business and industry leaders.

Crime Stoppers South Australia Chair, Ms Sharon Hanlon, said Mr O’Brien’s appointment further strengthened support from Channel 9 Adelaide, which renewed its commitment as major media partner in 2018 for an additional 3-year period.

“Sean has been a long-standing supporter of Crime Stoppers and we are very excited at taking that to the next level through his involvement as one of our Ambassadors. Being able to tap into Sean’s strategic insight, significant media experience and his extensive business relationships will be critical to our growth and sustainability,” Ms Hanlon said.

“Crime Stoppers SA is a charity that has to self-fund its own operations, rewards and crime prevention campaigns, and our hope is that Sean and our other recently-announced Ambassadors will encourage businesses to work with us so we can continue to provide people with platforms to anonymously share what they know about unsolved crime and suspicious activity without saying who they are,” she said.

In welcoming his appointment, Mr O’Brien said he was looking forward to building on awareness about Crime Stoppers SA and its efforts to help solve and prevent crime in the community.

“Too many people are still unaware that Crime Stoppers SA is a charity governed by a small but hard-working group of professionals who volunteer their time and share their expertise because they want to make a difference. Crime – and the fear of crime – impacts on the entire community and ultimately the confidence of the state, which is why we need to get as many individuals, businesses and government behind this critical crime-solving organisation,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I am honoured to become an Ambassador. Channel 9 Adelaide places great importance on actively contributing to a safer community through our long-standing partnership with Crime Stoppers as their major media partner, and this is a way that I can personally build on that commitment.”

In May 2020 Andrew Marshall, President of the Master Builders Association, Philip Morton, Managing Director of Morton Philips, Jodie van Deventer, CEO for the Committee for Adelaide and Martin Haese, CEO at Business SA were announced as the inaugural Crime Stoppers SA Ambassadors.

Mr O’Brien has been the Managing Director of Channel 9 Adelaide since 2013.  This is his second stint at Nine, previously having worked as Sales Director from 2001-2009.  Between roles at Nine, he was the General Manager at FIVEaa and Nova 919. He has over 30 years sales and business leadership experience in the Media Industry as well as with Telethon SA, Down Syndrome SA and White Ribbon Australia.

This latest announcement follows the release by Crime Stoppers SA of its half-year results up to 30 June 2020, which saw nearly 10,000 calls received in the first 6-months of 2020 and more than 2,800 online reports. Over 6,000 information reports were taken from the community and nearly 6,500 actions issued to police for investigation, resulting in seizure of 20 firearms, closure of 5 clandestine labs and arrests of people for murder, armed robberies and violent assaults. In addition, more than 127,500 cannabis street deals and nearly 2000 methamphetamine deals were stopped from reach South Australian streets in the same period.

Crime Stoppers in South Australia has a long-term partnership with SA Police as well as Police Credit Union – which recently renewed its commitment as a major funding partner for another 3-year period.

 

 

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South Australia’s most successful crime-solving and prevention partnership is expected to go from strength to strength following a renewed 3-year commitment by Police Credit Union as major funding partner of Crime Stoppers SA.

The announcement comes as Crime Stoppers SA releases its half-year results, which saw nearly 10,000 calls received in the first 6-months of the year and more than 2,800 online reports. Over 6,000 information reports were taken from the community and nearly 6,500 actions issued to police for investigation, resulting in seizure of firearms, clandestine labs and arrests of people for murder, armed robberies and violent assaults.

Crime Stoppers South Australia Chair, Ms Sharon Hanlon, said the renewed commitment from the organisation’s major funding partner provided financial stability for the charity, and she encouraged other South Australian businesses to follow Police Credit Union’s leadership by also getting behind the volunteer-led organisation.

“Our many successes can only be achieved thanks to commitment from valued partners like Police Credit Union because that support means we can continue to empower the community by encouraging people to share what they know with us without saying who they are,” Ms Hanlon said.

“The Police Credit Union team have been genuinely committed to working with us for a safer South Australia, and extending our partnership for another 3 years assists us to meet essential operational costs associated with maintaining our hotline, website and rewards program and helps with the development of a range of community engagement campaigns,” she said.

“As a charity we work hard to make every dollar count, and we have been recognised at state, national and international levels for our ability to creatively develop and deliver crime-solving and prevention programs on a budget to catch wanted fugitives, solve cold case murders, stop bushfire arsonists, raise awareness about car and property theft and so much more.”

Police Credit Union Chairman, Mr Alex Zimmermann, described the major sponsorship announcement as a key highlight of the organisation’s 50-year anniversary.

“At a time when many organisations appear to be doing it tough, we are particularly proud to give back to the South Australian community through this renewed partnership commitment and strengthen our long-standing connection with SA Police by supporting Crime Stoppers,” Mr Zimmermann said.

“We have a well-established 50-year track record of supporting police, nurses, paramedics and other frontline responders, who have shown incredible bravery and resilience in the face of the pandemic. We have tailored products and services for those working across the emergency service and health sectors, and our support of Crime Stoppers is another way we can help create a better community,” he said.

“With an average of 25 crimes solved every week in South Australia as a result of information by the public, we see real value in supporting Crime Stoppers because we know that crime and the fear of crime impacts on the confidence of the State. Now, more than ever, it is important for us to come together as a community and do all we can to make sure we can live safely and free from harm, and help hold those who choose to do the wrong thing accountable for their actions.”

“We look forward to working alongside Crime Stoppers in supporting better communities and partner with them on a number of important regional and metropolitan crime solving and prevention campaigns over the years ahead.”

The 3-year agreement follows a successful initial 3-year partnership between Crime Stoppers SA and Police Credit Union originally announced in 2017.

Other half-year results released by Crime Stoppers SA include:

• 9,795 calls to the hotline and 2,828 online reports;
• 6,914 information reports;
• 6,460 actions issued for investigation by police;
• 286 apprehensions;
• 228 contacts about cold case murders
• 60,234 visitors to the Crime Stoppers SA website and 185,565 page views.

The number of drug and firearm seizures attributed to Crime Stoppers SA from January to June 2020:

• Cannabis plants: 7,714
• Cannabis: 318.9kg (equating to 127,560 street deals – not including plants)
• Clandestine drug labs: 5
• Methamphetamines: 191.5 grams (equating to 1,915 street deals)
• GHB: 5.3 litres (equating to 5,300 street deals)
• Firearms: 20

IMAGE CAPTION: L-R: SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, Crime Stoppers SA Chair Sharon Hanlon and Police Credit Union Chairman, Mr Alex Zimmermann

It was about 11.30pm on Sunday 6 September 1992 when Carlene Ward’s body was discovered in the main bedroom of her house in Armstrong Avenue, Parafield Gardens.

The 35-year old was found by her 16-year-old son who also resided there.

She had been bashed and stabbed, with several weapons used during the murder.

Today it remains one of South Australia’s most baffling murders, with her killer still free in the community.

A reward of up to $200,000 is on offer to anyone who provides information leading to a conviction in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

Can you help solve the murder of Ted Ligas?

At 5.50am on Thursday 30 August 2012 neighbours reported a house fire at East Avenue, Black Forest.

The house was completely destroyed, and the home’s sole occupant – Tadeusz (’Ted’) Ligas – was not at home and neither was his vehicle.

At 6.50am that same morning a vehicle fire was reported at the rear of a block of flats at Jervois Street, Torrensville.

The car – a black 2010 Holden SSV ute – was owned by Mr Ligas.

The 55-year old’s gagged and bound body was found in the rear of the ute and identified using dental records.

The Poland-born Tadeusz Ligas fled communist Poland in search for freedom. He was a loving father and a well-liked and respected member of the specialised welding community

A reward of up to $200,000 is on offer to anyone who provides information leading to a conviction in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

Neil Muir lived alone in a unit at Carrington Street, Adelaide.

The 25-year old is believed to have led a transient lifestyle and moved regularly from place to place.

He was known to frequent a number of Adelaide nightspots including hotels in Hindley Street, the Duke of York Hotel and the Buckingham Arms Hotel.

At about 2.30pm on 28 August 1979, two people were fishing in the Port River, adjacent to Mutton Cove, Osborne when they spotted two garbage bags, one inside the other, between the high and low tide marks.

What appeared to be the heel of a human foot could be seen and police were called.

The garbage bags contained the body of Mr Muir.

His last known movements remain unclear.

During the initial investigation a male was arrested and charged for the murder of Mr Muir, but after a Supreme Court trial was acquitted in 1980.

A reward of up to $200,000 is on offer to anyone who provides information leading to a conviction in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

 

At about 1.30am on Tuesday 26 August 2008, Benjamin Young returned to his home at Luhrs Road, Payneham South.

The 26-year old parked in the driveway and was shot walking to the front door.

He staggered across Luhrs Rd before collapsing and dying in front of a block of units in the quiet, suburban street.

Mr Young had been a full member of the Finks MC but had left the Club in March 2008.

At the time of his death, Mr Young was involved in a number of business enterprises including brothels, racehorses, property development and industrial premises.

A reward of up to $200,000 is on offer to anyone who provides information leading to a conviction in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

It’s been 39 years since Peter Stogneff was abducted and murdered.

No one could have predicted back in 1981 that a teen boy planning to spend a day off from school would become one of South Australia’s most notorious murder investigations.

The 14-year old had originally arranged to meet his cousin in the city.

But a change of plans saw his cousin not make the trip into Rundle Mall, so whether Peter actually made the journey into the city remains a mystery.

On Thursday 27 August 1981, he was reported missing by his parents.

It was 10 months later that a remote property, 50km north of Adelaide would confirm the worst about what happened to the missing teenager.

As part of efforts to clear land adjacent to Middle Beach Road, Two Wells, a local farmer was bulldozing bushes and boxthorns. He returned to the bushes on 20 May 1982 and set them alight, with the fires burning for about two days.

On 22 June 1982, the farmer returned to the area and located a human skull that had become exposed amongst the debris. He returned home and contacted the police the following morning, with the skeletal remains identified as being Peter.

Information received during the investigation indicated that Peter may have been seen with a male adult at Tea Tree Plaza on the day of his disappearance.

That male has never been identified.

Police believe this murder is associated with other high profile killings commonly referred to in the media as the “Family Murders”.

A reward of up to $1,000,000 is on offer to anyone who provides information leading to a conviction in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestopperssa.com.au.

During July we received more than 250 calls from people wanting to share information about drugs and illegal firearms in the community.

We also saw people sharing what they know about the major crime investigation into the death of Kensington Park woman Ann Marie Smith, assaults that occurred at Anstey Hill and Adelaide, a fatal crash at Shea-Oak Log and an aggravated robbery at Woodcroft.

Our unsolved weekly crime segments asked for information to help identify a person who broke into a Flinders Park home, a man caught on CCTV suspected of starting a grassfire at the Noarlunga Interchange, a person caught on camera breaking into the Lyndoch Hotel and help to solve the unprovoked stabbing of an elderly man out on his daily walk at Findon.

People watched our unsolved crime videos 4,418 times on our Facebook page in July, we reached an estimated 37,956 users and attracted 224 new followers.

We profiled unsolved cold cases, including the 1997 murder or Corrina Marr at her Collinswood home, the disappearance and suspected murder of Gail King and the 2002 suspected murder of Port Lincoln woman Susan Goodwin.

Our mini-campaign focus for the month was on human trafficking, with our social media and website helping to spot what the signs are and explain how everyone can help stop it.

We celebrated an exciting milestone in our partnership with Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation SA Branch – with the first carpark signage going up as part of our united efforts to keep nursing and midwifery staff and the wider community safe.

Other July 2020 results included:

• 1,878 calls and 493 online reports received;
• 1,036 information reports were taken, and 1,044 actions issued to police for investigation;
• 1 firearm seized;
• 29 apprehensions for a range of offences;
• 12,893 people visited the Crime Stoppers SA website, resulting in 30,762 page views;

If you have any information about suspicious activity or an unsolved crime then call our free hotline on 1800 333 000 or go to www.crimestopperssa.com.au

Rewards are available and you don’t have to get involved.

Share what you know without having to say who you are.