‘Missing’ suspect back in court

Police Ocrober 21 Arrest   TBW Newsgroup
ARREST MADE: Police gathered evidence at a Millicent property in the wake of a high-risk arrest on Monday morning. Picture: J.L. ("FRED") SMITH
Police Ocrober 21 Arrest TBW Newsgroup
ARREST MADE: Police gathered evidence at a Millicent property in the wake of a high-risk arrest on Monday morning. Picture: J.L. (“FRED”) SMITH

A LIMESTONE Coast man who faces serious firearms charges in the district court was the offender at the centre of a high-risk arrest in Millicent this week.

Matthew Janis Bukovskis, 34, was on the run from police for more than a month after he disconnected his electronic monitoring device in August.

He was arrested when several police officers converged on a house near Millicent High School in the early hours of Monday morning.

It involved a large police presence including officers of the elite Adelaide-based STAR Group.

Bukovskis, of no fixed address, appeared before Judge Sydney Tilmouth in the Mount Gambier District Court on Monday afternoon.

No application was made for bail and he was remanded in custody.

Bukovskis is facing serious firearm trafficking offences after police uncovered several stolen firearms during a raid at a property in Tantanoola in August last year.

He was first granted home detention bail in June and was set to appear in court for a hearing on August 30, however failed to attend.

A warrant was issued for his arrest after it was revealed he had disconnected his electronic monitoring device.

Limestone Coast Police officer in charge Superintendent Phil Hoff spoke publicly about the defendant’s disappearance earlier this month.

They believed Bukovskis had been travelling on a motorcycle and in different cars since disconnecting the device.

Despite police efforts to track him down, he was unable to be located until his arrest on Monday.

Bukovskis is due to reappear in the Mount Gambier District Court next March for arraignment.

He has also been charged with an offence of failing to comply with bail.