Two people have been arrested following an investigation into multiple thefts from car wash businesses across the metropolitan area.
Since 14 July, police have been investigating reports of suspects forcing open coin-dispensing and vending machines at car and dog wash businesses across Adelaide and surrounding suburbs, including Victor Harbor, Totness, Prospect, Old Noarlunga and Seaford.
It will be alleged that about 6.40am on Thursday 5 August, police were called to a service station on Eric Road at Old Noarlunga after two people broke into a coin machine. The suspects then left the area in a stolen black Mercedes Benz sedan.
About 20 minutes later police were called to a car wash on The Parade at Seaford after reports that two people were breaking into another coin machine.
A patrol arrived within minutes and located the same black Mercedes sedan at the car wash. They quickly positioned the patrol car in front of the vehicle and it was rammed by the Mercedes as the offenders attempted to flee.
The female suspect assaulted a police officer during the incident.
The Mercedes drove off and was briefly pursued until police lost sight of it on Eric Road, Old Noarlunga. Thankfully, neither officer was injured. The patrol car sustained minor damage.
About 2.20am today (Sunday 8 August) officers from Northern District CIB and Gawler patrols conducted a search of an address at Lewiston where they located the two suspects, the stolen black Mercedes and other evidence. The Mercedes was seized for forensic examination.
A 46-year-old man of no fixed address and a 51-year-old woman from Old Noarlunga were charged with numerous offences including illegal use of a motor vehicle, theft, property damage, acts to endanger life and assault police.
They were both refused bail to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday 9 August.
