Eight people were caught in a stolen car after a combined effort from PD Axe, patrols and the Traffic Management Centre.
About 1.30am Thursday 18 April police were called to a home in Lightsview after the occupant reported that her house had been broken in to and her red Kia Sportage stolen. Luckily the occupants were not confronted by intruders, and they were not injured.
About 2.20am police received a report that a red Kia had just stolen petrol from a service station on Grange Road at Flinders Park. Patrols flooded the area with another sighting of the Kia about 3.20am this time travelling north on South Road near Anzac Highway.
Patrols did not chase the car, but Traffic Management Centre were able to then track the Kia using static traffic cameras as it travelled north along South Road and provide updates on the car’s location to police.
Quick thinking Western District patrols set up road spikes near the intersection of South Road and Regency Road and a short time later the Kia, still travelling north, ran over the spikes shredding the front drivers side tyre, however the car continued travelling north.
About 3.30am police located the Kia abandoned on the Salisbury Highway where it had crashed into a small wire fence.
PD Axe arrived at the scene and tracked the suspects south through the wetlands to the Dry Creek Railway Station. Here PD Axe and patrols located eight males, ranging in ages from 14 to 20, were all arrested and charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle.
The arrests include a 14-year-old Northfield boy, 15-year-old Mansfield Park boy, a 15-year-old Parafield Gardens boy, a 16-year-old Renown Park boy, a 16-year-old Rosewater boy, a 16-year-old Port Augusta West boy, an 18-year-old Christie Downs man, and a 20-year-old Brompton man.
The 14 and two 15-year-olds were refused police bail and will appear in the Youth Court today.
The others will be bailed to appear in the Youth and Magistrates Courts at a later date.
Investigations are continuing. Anyone with further information that may assist is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on www.crimestopperssa.com.au or phone 1800 333 000.
