Four arrests, five reports during Port Augusta 'Day of Action'

On Wednesday 12 March 2025, the Day of Action was supported by additional South Australia Police (SAPOL) resources, including Dog Operations Unit, STAR Operations, Traffic Services Branch and Driver Drug Testing Unit including police motorcycles.

The Acting Officer in Charge of the Far North Local Service Area, Acting Superintendent Josh Heinze said the increased police presence was part of ongoing efforts to ensure community safety for both residents and visitors to Port Augusta.

“Local police will continue to take action against those who commit crime, behaviour in a disorderly manner, or make unsafe choices behind the wheel.”

Day of Action results:

Police conducted searches of over 20 houses for persons wanted on warrants, active investigations and outstanding matters across Port Augusta, including:

• A 32-year-old woman from Port Augusta was arrested on an outstanding warrant
• A 16-year-old girl from Port Augusta West was arrested for breaching electronically monitored bail.  She was refused Police bail and will appear at the Port Augusta Youth Court at a later date.
• A 15-year-old boy from Port Augusta was arrested for was arrested for breaching electronically monitored bail. He will appear at the Port Augusta Youth court at a later date.
• A 56-year-old man from Port Augusta was reported for cultivating cannabis after 11 cannabis plants were located growing at the residence.
• A 52-year-old man from Port Augusta was reported for possessing a controlled drug after he was located in possession of methamphetamine.  A quantity of money was seized with further charges likely.
• Four cannabis expiation notices were issued for drug related offences while searching the houses.

Members of the Driver Drug Testing Unit, Traffic Services Branch and local patrols conducted over 350 driver screening tests for alcohol and 88 tests for drugs.  As a result, 20 expiations notices, three instant loss of licences and nine defects were issued.

Of the drivers that were tested for drugs, three returned positive results and were subsequently reported. 
Police conducted searches of three Port Augusta addresses under the Firearms Act, to proactively ensure compliance.

Patrols conducting high visibility patrols within the CBD of Port Augusta arrested a 36-year-old Port Augusta woman on an outstanding warrant for aggravated robbery.  The woman was further charged with two counts of theft, one count of aggravated serious criminal trespass, 21 counts of breach of bail, three counts of breach intervention order and one count of property damage. She was refused police bail and will appear in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court today, Thursday 13 March.

Three general expiation notices were also issued for possess alcohol in dry zones and a drug diversion for possession of a controlled substance to other persons in the DPP.

Yesterday’s operation complements a Declared Public Precinct (DPP) currently in place to improve public safety, which allows police to conduct metal detector searches of people or property, carry out drug detection on any person within the area and order a person or group posing a risk to public order or safety to leave the designated precinct area.

For more information on the Port Augusta DPP visit: www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/declared-public-precincts

Anyone who is a victim of crime or experiences antisocial or violent behaviour is encouraged to report it immediately on the police assistance line on 131 444 or Triple Zero in an emergency.