Christies Beach, SA: Suburban siege near primary school

A man has been arrested following a suburban siege in Adelaide’s south, close to a primary school, after an alleged armed robbery at a second-hand store.

South Australian police tracked two people to a home on Penzance Ave, Christies Beach, on Monday morning – about 500m from Christies Beach Primary School – following reports of a robbery.

Police will allege the men entered a second-hand store in Clovelly Park about 11am armed with a firearm and hammers, threatening staff and smashing the shop’s glass counters before bolting with jewellery and cash.

The men allegedly fled the South Road shop on separate motorbikes, one of the bikes coloured black and the other black and green.

PolAir tracked one of the bikes across the city where it eventually stopped at a house in Penzance Avenue at Christies Beach about 12.30pm.

Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR) squad officers responded to the incident, and began negotiating with the people inside the property.

By 2pm, the siege was over, and two men were led away — one with what appeared to be bags covering his hands.

Police remained at the scene for some time gathering evidence, and using sniffer dogs.

Peter, a man who’s renting the Penzance Ave property at the centre of the siege, told The Advertiser he was surprised when police arrived.

“A friend called me last night and asked if their mate could have a place to stay for a night,” he said.

“I know nothing about it, all of a sudden I just had guns pointed in my face.”

A number of items were removed from the property, including a motorcycle.

Christies Beach resident Bill Jamieson told the paper the street is normally a quiet place.

“I’ve lived here for over 40 years, it was the Wild West when I was younger but it seems to have settled so I’m amazed,” he said.

“I was just walking and all of a sudden there were a lot of police who told me to get out the way.”

Christies Beach is about 26km south of Adelaide’s CBD.

More Coverage

A 35-year-old Murray Bridge man will be charged with numerous offences including aggravated robbery, threats to cause harm, dangerous driving and an outstanding warrant.

The man will appear at the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on August 8.

Detectives from Southern District CIB continue to investigate the incident.

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