Cigarettes, drugs, ammo found in Murray Bridge man’s car
Plus police catch a burglar red-handed, Murray Bridge locals are warned to lock their cars, a motorcyclist survives a crash at Long Flat and more.
Police have arrested a Murray Bridge man for theft, trafficking and other charges after a short chase in the Riverland.
Officers went to a property on Bookpurnong Road at Gurra Gurra, south of Berri, to question the man around 4am last Thursday.
He saw them coming and allegedly sped off in a Holden sedan, but got bogged; he then allegedly attempted to run away, but police caught up with him.
Police allege that they found a “large quantity” of sealed boxes of cigarettes, three boxes of shotgun ammunition, 4.4 grams of methamphetamine and $4500 in cash in the car.
They breath-tested the 37-year-old man and, when the test allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.08, they disqualified him from driving for six months on the spot.
He was due to face charges of drug trafficking, possession, drink driving and hindering police at the Berri Magistrates Court last Thursday.
Burglar caught red-handed on Clara Street
Police have arrested a man they allegedly caught in the act of breaking into a house in Murray Bridge.
They were called to a home on Clara Street at 3.50pm last Thursday after someone reported a break-in; when they arrived, they could hear noises from inside.
The 42-year-old local man allegedly came out of the home, ran off and was arrested after a short chase on foot.
He allegedly had in his possession a pocket knife, a tomahawk, jewellery stolen from the home – which was returned – and items stolen from a local department store.
Officers charged him with serious criminal trespassing, theft, carrying an offensive weapon and unlawful possession; and denied him bail ahead of an appearance at the local magistrates court last Friday.
Lock your cars, police warn
Meanwhile, police have warned people to secure their vehicles after a number were broken into over September 14-16.
Items including mobile phones, iPads, bags and tools were stolen from vehicles on Swanport Road, Adelaide Road, Bridge Street, Ida Street, Lachlan Avenue and Amanda Street during the three-day period.
Police encouraged people to lock their vehicles, remove valuables from them, park in well lit areas, and report any suspicious behaviour by calling 131 444.
Watch out for speed cameras
Traffic police will be out and about in the Murraylands this week, monitoring driver speed at locations including:
- Monarto South: Old Princes Highway
- Murray Bridge: Adelaide Road, Hill Street, Mannum Road, Old Swanport Road, Standen Street
- Murray Bridge East: Old Princes Highway
- Tailem Bend: Dukes Highway, Granites Road, Mallee Highway, Princes Highway, Railway Terrace
Another motorbike crash at Long Flat
A 31-year-old Monteith man is recovering after crashing his motorbike on the Old Princes Highway at Long Flat on September 15.
The man reportedly ran off the road and into a rail around 7.20pm on the Friday evening.
He was taken to hospital in Murray Bridge, then airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries.
The accident was the second serious incident on the same stretch of road in a month, following a hit-and-run collision on August 20.
Drink drivers detected
Finally, police have stopped five drivers for alleged traffic offences in Murray Bridge over the past fortnight:
- A 35-year-old Murray Bridge man who allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.255, more than five times the legal limit, on Homburg Drive at 7.45am on Friday; he was also allegedly unlicensed
- A 74-year-old Murray Bridge man who allegedly blew 0.089 on Adelaide Road at 3.40pm on Saturday
- A 51-year-old Mannum woman who allegedly tested positive to methamphetamine and cannabis on Swanport Road at 8.30pm on Sunday
- A 36-year-old Murray Mallee man who allegedly tested positive to cannabis on Mannum Road at 4.40pm on Saturday, with an eight-year-old child in the car
- A 20-year-old Murray Bridge man who was allegedly disqualified from driving when he was picked up on Mannum Road at 2am on Saturday
The 35-year-old man was disqualified from driving for 12 months on the spot; the pair accused of drug driving each lost their licences for three months.
All five drivers will face Murray Bridge Magistrates Court.
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