A WOMAN suspected of stealing petrol from Mount Gambier before going on a crime-spree throughout South Australia was arrested by Port Lincoln Police yesterday.
Meanwhile, a man who was travelling with her evaded authorities and remained on the run.
Police arrested the woman at around 11am when patrols spotted and seized the Toyota Prado four-wheel-drive, which was involved in a petrol drive-off in Mount Gambier last week.
A short time later, her male accomplice stole a green 2004 Mercedes station wagon from a Port Lincoln fast food outlet.
An elderly victim sustained abrasions to his face during the robbery.
At around 1.40pm, police located the stolen vehicle and began searching for the suspect near the Axel Stenross boat ramp.
Patrols believed he may be on foot headed towards Port Lincoln.
The suspect is believed to have been involved in a crime spree with the arrested woman which has been ongoing for several days at Mount Gambier, Robe and Victor Harbor.
At about 10.30am on Thursday, a man and woman allegedly broke into the licensed Rendelsham Cricket Club premises and stole a large amount of alcohol, 10 rolls of toilet paper and cutlery.
A window was smashed and a closed circuit surveillance camera was also damaged at the secluded building.
The repair bill and thefts will cost the club more than $1000.
The culprits are also suspected of stealing a wallet from a campground at Stoney Rise near Robe at around midday on Friday and using the victim’s credit cards in several Robe businesses.
Police suspect the same pair filled up their vehicle with petrol at a Mount Gambier petrol station on Wednesday and drove away without paying for the fuel.
Officers also suspect the pair of involvement in thefts from shops at Victor Harbor over the weekend.
The arrested woman is being interviewed by police and was expected to be charged yesterday.
At press time yesterday police were still searching for the man in the Port Lincoln region and asked anyone who spots a man with red hair, a beard and wearing a navy t-shirt to contact the police assistance line immediately on 131 444 or triple zero in an
emergency.
