An Adelaide lady from the northern suburbs may be the first person in South Australia to face charges under strict new legislation targeting adults who incite juvenile delinquency.
A 34-year-old man from Devon Park was apprehended in connection with two juveniles, 16 and 12, who were charged with burglary, after a series of heists that were captured on surveillance footage.
At around one in the morning on Sunday, three masked men tried to enter the Mitchell Park Pharmacy from an approaching vehicle; this was one of the heists.
After entering, two of them leaped over the counter; one went for the dispensary, the other for the $100 cash register.
“They simply took a few medication bottles as they were leaving,” owner Chris Gardiakos stated.
“It wasn’t a very profitable exercise.” Another hour later, the trio is said to have robbed the Terry White Chemmart on Military Road.
Following a petrol drive-off on Port Wakefield Road, the vehicle was followed to the Augusta Highway close to Crystal Brook, where three individuals were apprehended, according to the police.
“It’s quite disgusting that an adult would involve such a young child,” said Gardiakos.
“It’s a major concern.
The law need to be fairly severe for adults who do that.
The most severe punishments in the country for adults who enlist minors in criminal activity are now under review by the police as a result of recently enacted legislation.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens stated, “I think this is a classic example of that.”
P.S. The investigators are determining whether the new laws apply to this specific case, as far as I am aware.
“But it’s disgraceful that an adult would exploit children that way.” Bail was denied to the trio.