Media Releases

About 11.45am on Friday 6 May the resident of a Gilbert Street home found a man inside the house after hearing a knock at the door a few minutes earlier.

The man ran out of the house after being confronted by the victim.

The suspect is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged 30-40 years, about 165cm tall with a skinny build and possibly unshaven.

He was wearing dark coloured jeans, a black zip up hooded jumper and black baseball cap. He had stained teeth and smelt strongly of cigarettes.

If anyone recognises the person in the image or has any other information that may assist the investigation, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at https://crimestopperssa.com.au

The disappearance of Beverley man Michael Modesti has been declared a Major Crime by South Australia Police.

Mr Modesti, 33, has not been seen or heard from since Sunday 8 May and his vehicle was found at West Croydon on Wednesday 11 May.

Detective Superintendent Des Bray, the officer in charge of the SA Police Major Crime Investigation Branch, said police believe Mr Modesti has most likely been murdered.

He detailed the missing man’s final known movements in a bid to trigger information from the community that might assist investigators.

Mr Modesti, who was devoted to his four-year-old son, was reported missing by his brother on 10 May.

On 11 May his dark blue 380 Magna sedan, SA registered XPC764, was located parked in Chenoweth Ave, West Croydon, near Torrens Road.

Detective Superintendent Bray said that Mr Modesti was known to police, having been in some trouble between 2002 and 2006.

He noted that other than that there was “minimal interaction” with police although a small number of cannabis seedlings were found at his house in 2014.

“Police have an open mind as to what may have happened but are investigating the possibility that in recent times he may have got involved with the wrong people again,” he said.

“The possibility of this being a drug related murder cannot be excluded.”

Timeline:

Tuesday 26 April

• Mr Modesti flew to Bangkok, Thailand to attend a Building Expo and then went to Pataya
• Considering establishing an import business for silicone for use by tilers
• Unable to confirm whether he attended the Expo or who was involved with him in that venture

Friday 6 May

• Mr Modesti returns to Adelaide
• Upon arrival attends his partner’s place at Brooklyn Park then goes home
• Partner attends with son and they stay for the weekend

Sunday 8 May

• 1.19pm withdraws cash from ATM at Welland Plaza Shops and is seen on CCTV
• 2.54pm his car sighted driving on North Tce, Adelaide near the Casino
• 5.30pm he drops son home to Evanston Gardens
• 7.30pm orders a pizza which is delivered
• 10.45pm speaks to partner on phone and says going to bed

Monday 9 May

• 3.15am a taxi camera shows his car is not in Chenoweth Ave
• 5.30am a person walking sees car
• 1.35pm the car is seen on the dashcam of passing car
• Partner advises family of concerns for his safety and they attempt to locate Mr Modesti

Tuesday 10 May

• His family have no contact with Mr Modesti and try to locate him
• Family report to SA Police

Wednesday 11 May

• Car found in Chenoweth Ave
• Police search victim’s home.  It is found locked and secure with no sign of disturbance. His phone and wallet are there
• His house and car are subject to forensic examination

Anyone with information that may assist police in their investigation of Mr Modesti’s disappearance is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online https://crimestopperssa.com.au/

 

 

Police have released a computer generated image of a suspect involved in an attempted robbery of a Seacliff supermarket last week.

About 9.45pm on Wednesday 11 May, a man threatened staff with a firearm at the IGA on Brighton Road, Seacliff and demanded money.

The staff member chased the suspect out of the store and he was last seen heading west on Pine Avenue on a black BMX bicycle.

Nothing was stolen and no one was injured during the robbery.

The suspect is described as a man of Caucasian appearance, aged in his mid-30s, about 165cm tall, with an olive complexion, short brown hair, wearing a grey hoodie and blue jeans.

Anyone who may identify the man in the image or has any information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at https://crimestopperssa.com.au

Aligned with this week’s National Crime Stoppers Week activities, Crime Stoppers South Australia has bolstered its online crime-fighting arsenal by unveiling a new website and smartphone app.

Officially launched earlier today at Parliament House by CSSA Chair, Sharon Hanlon, and Minister for Police, the Hon. Peter Malinauskas, the new website – located at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – offers visitors an overview of a range of open and unresolved cases, profiles of missing and wanted persons, and featured campaigns.

“Regardless of how people contact Crime Stoppers, they don’t have to leave their personal details. Calls to the 1800 333 000 hotline are not recorded/traced and an IP address isn’t recorded when making an online report,” Ms Hanlon said.

A handy ‘quick exit’ button is also featured on every page, allowing users to leave the page instantly if they feel they are in danger – the only Crime Stoppers program in Australia to have this unique feature.

Also launched today was a Crime Stoppers app, which has been developed as a result of a $152,000 investment from the State Government.

The smartphone app allows members of the public to report suspicious behaviour and provide information on criminals and criminal activity directly to Crime Stoppers SA, upload images and send messages, and access the Crime Stoppers SA website via Android and iOS phones.

“Getting smart on crime is essential to improving community safety and the new Crime Stoppers website and smartphone app means that information can be swiftly passed to police so they can act upon it,” Minister Malinauskas said.

“Crime Stoppers has an incredible track record of working with the community, media and police to help reduce crime. It’s this joint approach to community safety that has such a strong impact.”

Ms Hanlon said that statistics over recent years have shown a growing number of people opting to report information online to help solve some of SA’s most serious crimes.

“We have gone from about 34,000 annual visitors to the website, to now more than 75,000 new visitors in the last twelve months, which is a significant growth pattern,” Ms Hanlon said.

“The development of the app brings South Australia into line with other Crime Stoppers jurisdictions around Australia, and in our 20th anniversary year this was a perfect opportunity to make a significant statement about our use of online and mobile technologies to engage the community,” she said.

“We have seen murders, serious robberies, major arson incidents, fraud and drug dealing crimes successfully solved since the Crime Stoppers program, and the launch of our new website and app during National Crime Stoppers Week is our opportunity to provide the public with handy tools to help make the community safer.”

Crime Stoppers South Australia is an independent community organisation and registered charity which began in 1996, and remains a highly successful program in which the community and media help police to solve crime.

The organisation works with police, the media and the public to help solve and reduce crime, and has solved nearly 30,000 crimes, seen more than $8.8m property recovered and more than 19,000 apprehensions.

 

 

Time is up for drug dealers in SA, with Crime Stoppers South Australia (CSSA) launching the Dob in a Dealer campaign to target those manufacturing and distributing crystal methylamphetamine (‘ice’) and other illicit drugs. 

Launched in the Riverland on Monday, 2 May, the campaign will be rolled out across South Australia over the coming months as part of a national push to detect and disrupt drug dealing and distribution.

People are urged to contact Crime Stoppers to anonymously report any information relating to people who may be bringing harmful drugs into the local community.

“We know that drugs like ice or methylamphetamines are of serious concern to the community”, Crime Stoppers SA Chair, Ms Sharon Hanlon said.

“The community is well aware of the devastating effects of ice so we are asking all residents to help put a stop to the flow of drugs. Halting the spread of ice requires a whole-of-community response and Dob in a Dealer is specifically aimed at stopping the manufacture and supply of drugs.”

“Crime Stoppers is committed to working with SA Police, the media and local residents to gather information that can help to reduce drug supply and drug related crimes and help keep the community safe,” Ms Hanlon said.

“Local residents often hold the key to information that can help reduce crime, and we are asking people to play an active role and report those people that are manufacturing locally, or bringing harmful drugs into the community.

“Anyone making a report to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous. You will never be identified or called up for a court case, but every piece of information you provide can help solve crimes and reduce supply.”

If you think you have information about someone in your community who is manufacturing or supplying drugs, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 for a confidential conversation or report securely online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au