Wanted man arrested in Murray Bridge over assault, firearms offences

Police have arrested a wanted man after a traffic stop on Hill Street, Murray Bridge on Monday morning.

Officers stopped a car and searched its four occupants around 2am.

Checks revealed that one of the passengers, a 39-year-old man from Novar Gardens, had been wanted over an assault.

He allegedly had in his possession an ice pipe; a small amount of methamphetamine; and a gel blaster, pictured above.

He was denied bail ahead of a court appearance at a more reasonable hour.

“If you have a gel blaster, you have a firearm,” police said in a statement.

“Gel blasters are subject to the same licensing, registration and security conditions as other firearms.”

They advised anyone with an unregistered gel blaster to surrender it to police or a licensed gun dealer.

Police directed another passenger to attend a rehab program after allegedly being found in possession of an ice pipe.

• Surrender a firearm: Visit your nearest police station or contact Gregory Pullar, Murray Bridge, on 8532 2363; Pretoria Firearms and Antiques, Tailem Bend, on 8572 3541; or David Handyside, Callington, on 8538 5388.
• More information about the firearms amnesty: www.police.sa.gov.au.
• Apply for a firearms licence: www.police.sa.gov.au.

Alleged thieves arrested in Murray Bridge

Meanwhile, police have also arrested two alleged thieves in Murray Bridge during the past week.

A 27-year-old Murray Bridge man was arrested over the theft of thousands of dollars worth of electrical equipment and alcohol last Thursday.

Police located the man in Murray Bridge at 8.30pm, concluding an almost three-month investigation.

They charged him with 14 counts of theft and denied him bail ahead of a court appearance in Murray Bridge on Friday.

Officers also responded to a reported theft from “a grocery store on South Terrace” – the Woolworths at Murray Bridge Marketplace – at 3pm on Wednesday.

They found a 36-year-old man nearby, arrested and charged him.

He was granted bail ahead of a court appearance on April 24.

Two recent thefts remain unsolved

Due to increased reports of theft from supermarkets, retail outlets and service stations in Murray Bridge and the Riverland over the past fortnight, Murray Mallee police will increase their patrol activities.

On February 13, a man stole a bottle of alcohol from licensed premises on Swanport Road, Murray Bridge; police are following positive lines of enquiry.

Also, between February 14 and 15, a blue Repco pushbike was stolen from the emergency department of the Murray Bridge hospital.

Police continue investigating thefts and encourage members of the public to report any instances.

Anyone with any information in relation to these thefts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au.

Three stopped for traffic offences in Murray Bridge

Police have picked up three motorists for alleged traffic offences over the past fortnight.

On February 17, police reported a 64-year-old man from Murray Bridge.

The man was driving on Swanport Road when patrols stopped him for a random driver test and he allegedly returned a positive breath test result of 0.082.

He received a six-month immediate loss of licence notice and will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.

On February 18, police reported a 52-year-old woman from Mannum who had been driving a motor vehicle on Mannum Road, Murray Bridge.

She allegedly returned a positive result of 0.130.

She was issued with a six-month immediate loss of licence notice, and her vehicle was impounded for 28 days; she will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.

Police pulled over a 46-year-old Murray Bridge man on Adelaide Road last Thursday.

He allegedly tested positive for an illicit drug and – under laws which came into effect on February 13 – was disqualified from driving for three months on the spot.

He may face criminal charges if his sample is confirmed as positive.

Blue Light Discos are back

Finally, after a two-year break due to COVID, a summer disco hosted by Murray Bridge police’s crime prevention branch and Blue Light has been held at the Station youth centre in Murray Bridge.

There were 117 eager and enthusiastic young people at the event, making it the biggest crowd for a disco in the Murray Mallee region.

Each young person received a disco glow stick on entry before dancing, running and screaming the night away.

The DJ was former Power FM presenter Steve Murphy.

Fun was had by all, and many kids left the event happy after winning prizes in random dance competitions.

Police acknowledged local businesses for supporting this event by providing snacks, drinks and prizes.

The next Blue Light event will be a bowling session on April 26 and will be open to young people aged from five to 17.

• Book: Visit www.eventbrite.com.au.
• More information: Call 8535 6345 or email sapolmurraymallecrimeprevention@police.sa.gov.au.

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