Operation Roam: Hunt for most wanted Australian fugitives
THE hunt for Australia’s most wanted fugitives is less than three days old, but already two have been caught by police.
On Wednesday morning one of the fugitives, Daryl Wellington, had been arrested in Swan Hill, after police stopped a vehicle he was in Kerang and he was taken into custody.
Then later in the day came news that a second fugitive had been nabbed in Queensland.
Cairns Police found Luke Broadhead about 12.45pm — meaning there are now 17 remaining on the ‘most wanted’ list.
This group of Australians have managed to evade law enforcement and are living life on the run, managing to stay — so far — one step ahead of both state and federal police.
But that could all be about to change.
On Monday, Crime Stoppers Australia launched Operation Roam — Fugitive Hunt, in Brisbane, a dedicated campaign aimed at putting 19 “persons of interest” in front of the public, in an effort to finally have them questioned or brought before the courts.
The campaign will last two weeks and every Australian is being asked to look at the list and familiarise themselves with who is on it. Because someone, somewhere, will know the individuals who are part of the “Fugitive Hunt”.
Crime Stoppers Australia chairman Bryan Roach told news.com.au a financial incentive was being offered for anyone who provided a lead that led to an arrest.
“We urge people to visit fugitivehunt.com.au to see whether they recognise a face and report anything they know about them to Crime Stoppers. A reward of up to $1000 is also offered for information that leads to the arrest of any of these wanted persons,” he said.
The public’s help was crucial because police couldn’t do it alone.
“The police can’t be everywhere at once and the information provided by the public could be the missing piece of the puzzle the police need to catch these fugitives,” Mr Roach said.
But anyone who sees one of the men on the most wanted list should not approach them.
All that’s required is calling Crime Stoppers with as much information as possible, including where the person was seen, what they were doing and what they were wearing.
Mr Roach said: “Please be on the look out for these people, but do not approach them. We simply ask that you call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestoppers.com.au.”
Previous versions of Operation Roam have had incredible results with many individuals arrested. In fact, two were arrested just four days after the 2014 campaign began, while in 2011 three were nabbed in less than 24 hours. In all years the tip-offs to police continued well after the official campaign ended. It’s hoped the 2016 campaign will be just as successful.
One of the most high-profile arrests last year was of Gino Stocco. Stocco appeared on the 2015 list for a string of alleged offences and was arrested in October on a rural property northeast of Dubbo in central western NSW.
He and his bush fugitive son Mark had evaded police for eight years. Police made the arrests after a dramatic stand-off and then discovered the body of Rosario Cimone, 68. The two pleaded guilty to a range of offences, including murder, and are yet to be sentenced.
“Finding these fugitives requires a whole-of-community response. Crime Stoppers is committed to working with the police, the media and local residents to gather anonymous information that may help locate these wanted persons,” Mr Roach said.
The search is complicated by the fact some of the fugitives almost certainly have crossed state lines and are living a long way from where they allegedly committed offences. It may lull them into a false sense of security, but police across the country are looking for them.
And now so too are millions of ordinary Australians.
“It’s imperative that all Australians keep a look out for those on this year’s list. Even if they are wanted in a different state to where they are seen,” Mr Roach said.
In previous years police have spruiked the use of social media as a “powerful communication tool”.
“At the click of a button we can share pictures and information with hundreds of thousands of people in the community; tapping into a potential wealth of knowledge,” New South Wales counterpart Assistant Commissioner Peter Barrie said of the 2015 campaign.
A senior NSW officer told news.com.au Operation Roam would be something the “persons of interest” were dreading.
“It’s been going for a while now and the ones who have appeared before will know their luck will eventually run out. Someone will recognise them; it’s getting increasingly hard to stay off the grid.”
The fact so many are caught was a good thing, the officer said.
“It shows that they will eventually be caught and police just don’t forget about crimes. Cases just don’t close if an offender isn’t caught - investigations might be downgraded, but the file is never closed.”
The officer, who worked in homicide for several years, had been involved in several arrests for crimes committed sometimes years before. Some were genuinely shocked, but most knew their day would finally come.
“It must be a horrible way to live, constantly looking over your shoulder, waiting for that knock on the door that you know will inevitably come.”
In some cases he said they quickly pleaded guilty and during the court process it wasn’t uncommon for it to emerge they were surprised not to have been caught sooner, he said.
“The chances of never been caught ever are very, very slim.”
FUGITIVE HUNT
Samuel Terrance McGovern
Between March and May 2016, McGovern was a person of interest of Strike Force Gillie, a Kings Cross drug investigation. Police allege he was involved in the ongoing supply of prohibited drugs, primarily ice and heroin and is associated with the Young Woolloomooloo Boys.
Age: 23
Eyes: Brown
Height: 170cm
Hair: Brown
Build: Medium
Complexion: Fair
Dane Gregory Moore
During October 2013, it is alleged Moore was involved in a number of assaults at Port Macquarie New South Wales. It is believed he has fled New South Wales and was last known to be living in Western Australia avoiding arrest. Moore has also previously resided in Queensland and Victoria.
Age: 41
Eyes: Blue
Height: 165cm
Hair: Brown
Build: Solid
Complexion: Fair
Darren Ronald Rispen
Age: 41
Eyes: Hazel
Height: 173cm
Hair: Light Brown
Build: Medium
Complexion: Fair
In September 2014 Rispen was a person of interest of Strike Force Rinis and was charged with 26 offences by New South Wales Police, mainly relating to drugs and directing a crime group. Rispen was granted bail for these offences, however failed to comply with these conditions.
Piet Luan Ta
Age: 31
Eyes: Brown
Height: 164cm
Hair: Black
Build: Muscular
Complexion: Dark
In July 2016 Ta was convicted of drug trafficking and due to appear in the Brisbane Supreme Court for sentencing. He failed to appear and his current whereabouts are unknown. Ta has contacts and associates in both Melbourne and Sydney.
Jonathan Daniel Lowe
Age: 29
Eyes: Brown
Height: 182cm
Hair: Brown
Build: Medium
Complexion: Olive
In 2010 Lowe was convicted for acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm in Queensland. He was sentenced to lengthy term of imprisonment and later released on parole. Lowe subsequently failed to report to his Parole Office and comply with his parole order.
Nicholas Paul Byrne
Age: 46
Eyes: Brown
Height: 175cm
Hair: Brown
Build: Medium
Complexion: Fair
During 2010, Queensland Police charged Byrne for committing offences against a child. Byrne pleaded guilty to these charges, but later failed to appear for sentencing at Bowen, Queensland. Byrne is believed to be within Queensland’s Gold Coast or in the Northern New South Wales area.
Jayde Alfred Schackrow
Age: 29
Eyes: Blue
Height: 171cm
Hair: Brown
Build: Thin
Complexion: Fair
In 2010 Schackrow was sentenced to a lengthy term of imprisonment in Queensland, for a series of offences such as burglary, unlawful use of motor vehicles, acts intended to maim or disfigure and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm. He was later released on parole, however subsequently failed to report to his Parole Office and comply with his parole order. Schackrow has known connections in New South Wales.
Tanompong Pota
Age: 27
Eyes: Brown
Height: 172cm
Hair: Black
Build: Thin
Complexion: Light Brown
In 2011 Pota was convicted for suppling dangerous drugs in Queensland. He breached his suspended sentence by wounding another person and was sentenced to a lengthy term of imprisonment. Pota was later released on parole, however subsequently failed to report to his Parole Office and comply with his parole order.
Anthony Sitar
Age: 36
Eyes: Brown
Height: 187cm
Hair: Black
Build: Medium
Complexion: Olive
Australian Federal Police allege that Sitar was involved in an international drug syndicate in which Police seized 138kg of pure ice, 15kg of cocaine and 13 firearms at Melbourne in 2011. His current whereabouts are unknown. Sitar is wanted by Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police.
Eugene Thomas Rumjahn
Age: 33
Eyes: Black
Height: 175cm
Hair: Black
Build: Thin
Complexion: Fair
Rumjahn has multiple convictions for offences such as theft, obtaining property by deception and obtaining financial advantage by deception, in Victoria. He has breached his parole conditions and his current whereabouts are unknown. He may also use the name Yuet Jin Eugene Lam.
Graham Gene Potter
Age: 58
Eyes: Brown
Height: 175cm
Hair: Brown
Build: Medium
Complexion: Fair
Victoria Police allege that Potter was involved in conspiring to murder and drug trafficking in 2008. Potter was last seen in the Tully area of Queensland in August 2010. It is believed that he had also been in the Riverina, New South Wales, using the alias Peter Anderson and Josh Lawson.
Thuc Van Chu
Age: 28
Eyes: Brown
Height: 168cm
Hair: Black
Build: Medium
Complexion: Light Brown
In March 2016 police executed a search warrant at an address in the Ballarat suburb of Wendouree, Victoria. Police located a large quantity of narcotic plants with an estimated value between $700,000 and $800,000. Police allege that Chu was involved in their cultivation and his current whereabouts are unknown
Robert Douglas Cairns
Age: 49
Eyes: Hazel
Height: 175cm
Hair: Bald
Build: Obese
Complexion: Fair
In 2011 Cairns was convicted for a number of serious offences in Victoria such as aggravated burglary, weapons offences, threats to kill and serious assaults. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment and later released on parole. Cairns has breached the conditions of his parole and his current whereabouts are unknown
Lullo Pata
Age: 40
Eyes: Brown
Height: 170cm
Hair: Black
Build: Solid
Complexion: Tanned
In 2016 Victoria Police served a court summons on PATA alleging he committed 13 counts of sexual assault. PATA failed to attend the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court and is believed to have fled interstate to avoid police.
James Mahoney
Age: 69
Eyes: Brown
Height: 163cm
Hair: Grey
Build: Medium
Complexion: Fair
In 1988 Victoria Police alleged that Mahoney lured two 13 year old boys to his home, with the promise that girls were there. After supplying them with alcohol he sexually assaulted both boys. Police arrested and charged Mahoney for these offences however he later failed to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court.
Robert Gordon Pollybank Gee
Age: 57
Eyes: Blue
Height: 177cm
Hair: Grey
Build: Large
Complexion: Fair
In 2006 South Australian Police executed search warrants on a number of houses. As a result, police seized more than 7kg of amphetamine, more than 8kg of cannabis, over 8000 LSD and 6000 ecstasy tablets, a quantity of cocaine, 2 firearms, ammunition and over $245,000 in cash. Police allege that Gee was the ring leader and was instrumental in the sale and supply network of illicit drugs.
San Sem
Age: 35
Eyes: Brown
Height: 170cm
Hair: Black
Build: Muscular
Complexion: Light Brown
In 2010 South Australian Police charged Sem with manufacturing methylamphetamine and drug trafficking which occurred in the Parafield Gardens area. Sem was to appear before the District Court of South Australia, but failed to do so and police believe he has fled the state. His current whereabouts are unknown.
If you think you have information about someone on the Crime Stoppers fugitive list, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestoppers.com.au
andrew.koubaridis@news.com.au
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