SAPOL detectives arrested 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 combating 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 21 per cent (3,517 offences) in comparison to the same 12-month period over 2019/20.

Minister for Police Vincent Tarzia says 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 says.

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.

Last month, a Crime Stoppers tip-off helped SAPOL dismantle one of South Australia’s largest-ever cannabis crops worth millions of dollars.

These latest statistics also show welcome decreases in other categories, including a 12 per cent drop in Homicide and Related Offences. Crimes against Person and Property had a decrease of 13,439 offences. Robbery and Related Offences dived 22 per cent, Theft and Related Offences dipped 16 per cent and Common Assault was down by more than 3,500 offences.

Total Offences Against the Person increased by 4 per cent, but the state government says this is a result of legislative and system changes to the recording of particular offences within the category and doesn’t reflect an actual increase in offending.