A most-wanted criminal could be living near you, perhaps even in disguise in a fat suit—and you could play a key role in his arrest. Non-profit Crime Stoppers is calling on the Australian community to keep a watchful eye for the nine most wanted fugitives on its Rogue Radar list as part of its annual campaign: Operation Roam.
Its name suggests that these criminals “roam” around the country. They seek to settle where nobody can recognise them. The campaign raises their profiles so they can no longer fly under the radar to live with impunity in the Australian community.
The national campaign is led by Crime Stoppers Australia and the police. This year’s Operation Roam runs Aug. 21-27.
O'Hara says that if you see one of these offenders while outside, don’t approach them “under any circumstances” and instead call triple zero immediately or report to Crime Stoppers. You may even receive a cash reward, he says.
Who Are The Others?
In no particular order, Crime Stoppers Australia are seeking your help to find:
Arron Michael Blenkinsop, 35, was jailed for five years for drug trafficking. He committed another two offences and was given a three-year sentence, but failed to comply with parole conditions after being granted parole. Police have issued a warrant for his return to custody. He has in the past used the alias Andrew Ross Bailey.
Now 28, Cody Coppock is wanted for aggravated break and enter in Armatree, NSW, in February 2018. He rammed two vehicles in his run from the police. He is also wanted in Queensland, and police believe he possesses firearms. He is also known as Cody Gallegos or David Morris, and has ‘GALLEGOS’ tattooed on his forearm.
Jonathan Robert Simmons, 36, is wanted for 10 deception offences in Adelaide—he had taken at least $50,000 from a fraudulent punters website. Simmons also goes by the names John Robert Griffiths, Tristian Simmons, and John Simmons.
Jonathon Edward Dick allegedly killed his brother with a samurai sword in 2017 at a shopping centre car park in Doncaster, Melbourne. Police believe the 39-year-old has fled interstate.
Keith John Porter, 61, was convicted for being involved in a drug trafficking syndicate that was supplying cocaine and cannabis. He failed to attend court in 2006 for his sentencing hearing and has been evading police since.
Paul Paterson, 48, was convicted in 1996 for a serious assault on his two-year-old stepdaughter in Wauchope, NSW. He was jailed for a time but did not comply with his parole conditions after release. He is being sought for breach of parole. Police believe he is around Darwin in the Northern Territory. Paterson is also known as Paul James or Jason Anthony Taylor.
Paul Brent Steadman was charged by police with allegedly sexually assaulting a boy under 16 when he was working as a karate instructor in 2015, in Bathurst, NSW. He did not appear in court, and has been missing since. Police say Steadman has most likely left the Bathurst area, and that it is also possible that he is deceased. If alive, he would be 50 this year.
Pham Nguyen, 62, is wanted for “conduct endangering life.” Nguyen was inside the backseat of a car of a woman who didn’t realise he was there. He allegedly splashed petrol over her, and assaulted her, which caused her to drive off the road and hit a pole. Nguyen fled the scene.
