Here is a summary of the latest police and emergency services news on the Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island.

Stolen car crashes 

A man and woman have been arrested after crashing a stolen car.

Just before 5am on Sunday 27 September, a Dog Operations member spotted a stolen white Subaru Outback station wagon travelling south on Unley Road at Hyde Park.

Police followed the vehicle at a distance for a short time before the car took off and was last seen on Belair Road.

Minutes later a member of the public contacted police advising a white station wagon had crashed into a residential fence at the intersection of Angas Road and Frimley Grove at Hawthorn and the driver and passenger had fled the scene.

Police quickly set up cordons in the area.  Police Dog Stoic and his handler searched the area and located a man and a woman hiding in bushes behind the Mitcham Memorial Library.

A 28-year-old woman from Aldinga Beach and a 31-year-old man from Mount Gambier were arrested without incident. They are expected to be charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle.

The Subaru Outback was stolen from units at Marion Road, Brooklyn Park earlier in the week.

Wreckage of missing man's boat located

Wreckage believed to be from missing vessel ‘Margrel’ has been located about 3km south-east of the Murray River mouth.

The search for missing 57-year-old man Tony Higgins and his boat began on Tuesday after they went missing in waters off Granite Island, but was called off on Friday night pending any further sightings or information.

Local Police and Water Operations Officers located the bow of the vessel and other debris just before 1pm ton Friday. The wreckage along with other items believed to be from the boat has been recovered and will be examined.

Mr Higgins is yet to be found.

A bag containing the man’s wallet and keys was found washed up at Goolwa Beach about 3km up from the Murray Mouth on Wednesday afternoon by a member of the public, along with a broom and drums.

A local commercial fisherman had located a number of items of debris from the missing boat washed ashore several kilometres south-east from the Murray Mouth about 6.30am that same day (23 September).

The search for Mr Higgins has included the assistance of Sea Rescue volunteers, the police helicopter (PolAir) and fixed wing aircraft, and a Challenger aircraft provided by AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) using infrared radar equipment.

Extensive search efforts covering an area in excess of 500 square kilometres failed to locate the vessel or Mr Higgins.

The boat is the same vessel that was the subject of an extensive search earlier this month south of Port Lincoln.

Police received confirmed reports the vessel was seen anchored off Granite Island around 3pm Monday (21 September).

SAPOL would like to thank all the other services for their assistance in trying conditions.

Anyone who finds any debris along the coastline is asked contact the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

Traffic Report

A P plate driver has been reported for drink driving following a crash at Sellicks Beach last week.

Just after midnight on Friday 25 September, police were called to the intersection of Gulf View Road and Alexander Street after reports a car had hit a stobie pole.

Fortunately the driver of the Ford sedan was not injured.

The Provisional licence holder was breath tested and allegedly produced a blood alcohol reading of 0.064.

A 19-year-old man from Sellicks Beach was reported for driving without due care and drink driving. He will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.

At about 9.35pm on Monday 21 September, police stopped a car on Gillespie Drive at Hayborough for a mobile driver test.  The driver, a 31-year-old woman from Goolwa North, was arrested for driving whilst being unlicensed and stating a false name. She was given police bail to appear in court at a later date.

About 5.20pm on Saturday 26 September, police stopped a car on Main South Road at Normanville for a mobile driver test. The driver, a 56-year-old man from Wirrina Cove was breath tested and returned a positive result of 0.100.  He was reported for drink driving and he will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.  He also received a six month immediate loss of licence

Updated COVID-19 Directions 2020 – Cross Border Travel No 15

An update has been made to the cross border travel restrictions in South Australia.

The Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 14) (COVID-19) Direction 2020 has been revoked and replaced by the Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 15 (COVID-19) Direction 2020. This new Direction comes into effect as of 0001 Thursday 24 September.

The new Direction provides an update to the restrictions currently in place for people arriving from NSW.

Key changes:

• NSW is now considered a low community transmission zone.
• People entering from NSW will be able to enter South Australia without the requirement for COVID-19 testing or 14 day self-quarantine upon arrival as long as during the 14 days immediately before their arrival in South Australia, they have not been in a place other than South Australia or outside the low community transmission zone. (eg. Victoria)
• This provision only applies to people who travel from NSW to South Australia via air or via road, travelling through NSW.  Entry via Victoria is prohibited except for Essential Travellers or persons escaping domestic violence or providing support to a family member who is experiencing domestic violence.
• People who entered South Australia from NSW prior to 0001 Thursday 24 September are required to complete their 14 day self-quarantine.  If a person chooses to return to NSW during this self-quarantine period and then return to South Australia, they will be required to complete the balance of days remaining on their 14 day self-quarantine period.

It should be noted that a person must not make a false or misleading statement (whether by inclusion or omission of particulars) when providing information.

Further if asked a question by an authorised officer or a person assisting in the administration of the direction a person must not:

• Refuse of fail to answer the question; or
• Give an answer that is false or misleading in providing particulars.

It is acknowledged that many restrictions still apply, but they are critical in dealing with the spread of COVID-19.

All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information can be found online.

For further information please call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 between the hours of 9am to 5pm 7 days per week or go to the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or www.sa.gov.au/covid-19

Updated COVID-19 Directions 2020 – Residential Aged Care Facilities No 9

An update has been made to Residential Aged Care restrictions in South Australia.

The Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 8) (COVID-19) Direction 2020 has been revoked and replaced by the Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 9) (COVID-19) Direction 2020. This new Direction comes into effect at 0001hrs on Thursday 24 September 2020.

The new Direction provides an update to changes in restrictions for people arriving from NSW.

Those people arriving from NSW will now be considered as a traveller from a low community transmission zone and will be able to enter South Australia without the requirement to self-quarantine for 14 days.

• To enter a Residential Aged Care Facility, travellers from  NSW will need to demonstrate;
• They have not been in another State which is not a low transmission zone in the preceding 14 days; or
• In the preceding 14 days they have not had contact with a person who is a confirmed case of COVID-19; or
• They do not have a temperature higher than 38 degrees Celsius, had a fever of chills in the preceding 72 hours, symptoms of acute respiratory infection or loss of taste or smell; or
• They have been vaccinated against 2020 seasonal flu; or
• Are not awaiting the outcomes of a COVID-19 test.

It is acknowledged that many restrictions still apply, but they are critical in dealing with the spread of COVID-19.

All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information can be found online.