SAPOL detectives honed in on two suspects staying at an Adelaide Hills caravan park following multiple Serious Criminal Trespass offences in the region, including the theft of $100,000, a safe and jewellery from a Strathalbyn business.
Investigations into the duo showcase how SAPOL is combatting Serious Criminal Trespass offences – which continue to diminish like South Australia's overall crime rate – to keep the community safe.
SAPOL's November crime statistics reveal Serious Criminal Trespass crimes decreased by a massive 21% (3,517 offences) in comparison to the same 12-month period over 2019/20.
Minister for Police Vincent Tarzia said the persons of interest were staying at a local caravan park.
"Proactive police work led to the arrest of these two individuals and shows hardworking officers are relentless in their efforts to catch criminals," Minister Tarzia said.
Western Adelaide Criminal Investigation Branch (WACIB) detectives pursued the case in Adelaide and arrested the pair. Mount Barker Criminal Investigation Branch (MBCIB) members attended a Glenelg address where a car belonging to the duo was found.
Documents and jewellery were uncovered during a search of that vehicle and directly linked the suspects to the Strathalbyn Serious Criminal Trespass incident. Investigators discovered the bail address supplied by the suspects was false and both were remanded in custody.
The monthly crime statistics have yet again shone a light on the impact of the previous Labor Government's cuts to SAPOL. The latest data shows 18,797 fewer offences were committed on the Marshall Liberal Government's watch when compared to the same period a decade ago.
"The Marshall Liberal Government values SAPOL and has boosted its crime-fighting capability with more than $170 million in extra funding," Minister Tarzia said.
"This includes $93.2m allocated in 2020-21 State Budget to keep South Australians safe – and historic funding for Crime Stoppers to crackdown on criminal activity in the community."
Last month, a Crime Stoppers tip-off helped SAPOL dismantle one of South Australia's largest-ever cannabis crops worth millions of dollars.
Today's statistics also show welcome decreases in other categories, including a 12% drop in Homicide and Related Offences. Crimes against Person and Property had a decrease of 13,439 offences. Robbery and Related Offences dived 22%, Theft and Related Offences dipped 16% and Common Assault was down by more than 3,500 offences.
Total Offences Against the Person increased marginally by 4%, but is a result of legislative and system changes to the recording of particular offences within the category. It does not reflect an actual increase in offending.v
