UPDATE:
The Police Minister says Rodney Clavell has been found dead, the ABC reports.
Asst Commissioner Paul Dickson spoke to the media this afternoon, and said, “At 1.40pm police found Rodney Clavell deceased inside the premises on King William Street.”
The Assistant Commissioner expressed regret over the outcome, saying that , “Planned activities by police didn’t work out the way that we had hoped.”
“It’s always distressing for police officers who continually, for the last 14 days, have wanted to resolve this in a peaceful way,” he said later.
The police reportedly searched for Rodney Clavell within the property using a robot, and did eventually find him. “This matter has now been determined to be a death in custody,” Dickson said.
He also revealed that, “Information has come to us which has suggested that he has committed other quite serious offences. We believe he was involved in an incident…where a female was assaulted by Mr Clavell, and Clavell had a shotgun.”
The four women involved in the hostage situation are now assisting the police in their inquiry.
Earlier, Mamamia wrote…
UPDATE: At least four people have reportedly been freed from the premises on King William St where wanted fugitive Rodney Clavell is believed to be hiding.
ABC are reporting that at least four women came out from the rear of the premises.
The women have been described as “not hurt but very emotional”.
Mamamia previously reported:
Australia woke this morning to news that the most wanted man in the country was hiding in a building in the Adelaide CBD – possibly with at least one hostage who is not known to him.
Rodney Clavell, 46, is believed to be cornered in a brothel on King William Street in Adelaide. As last heard, police were appealing for the fugitive to give himself up.
The public has been warned Clavell is dangerous and should not be approached. He’s reportedly carrying a .22 rifle and ammunition.
So what do we know about Rodney Clavell and why are police after him?
Who is Rodney Clavell and what did he do?
Clavell has a long criminal history and is wanted for offences including breaching a firearms ban. The former prison guard was shot twice by police during a chase through the Adelaide Hills in 2004, after stealing a 12-tonne road grader and served four years in prison for attempted murder.
In 2008, Clavell was involved in rioting at the regional Port Augusta prison.
More recently Clavell is being sought for breaching a firearms prohibition order and illegal use of motor vehicles and has been on the run for the past two weeks after police issued a warrant for his arrest.
Authorities have searched more than 80 properties over the last two weeks trying to find him. Superintendent Peter Harvey stated the Police have been aware for 14 days that Clavell is armed and are treating him at the highest level of risk.
What’s currently happening?
Last reportings have stated that Clavell is cornered in a brothel with a number of innocent people. Superintendent Harvey says police have been trying to make contact with Clavell since the lock down began at 1am this morning.
“We know that Rodney can hear us. We know that the phone is working,” Harvey said in a media conference.
“I won’t go into any other actual conversations or contact we have had, other than to say we need to continue trying to ensure that Rodney is speaking to [police negotiators] so we can safely get him and the people that are with him out of the building.”
Police are using the media to appeal publicly for Clavell to give himself up.
“Rodney, think of them [the people with him], think of yourself. There is a way out and it’s very, very simple – it is about talking and safely listening to our appeal to speak to us and we will work this out safely,” Superintendent Harvey said.
“Nothing is as bad as it might seem. This doesn’t need to escalate and we want to work with you on it and I’ve been saying that to you all week. And I am 100 per cent committed to that safe outcome.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T-0JQVBDSo
What happens next?
Police say the siege could last one day or five days, but that the longer it goes on, the harder it will be negotiate.
If caught, the sentence for Clavell’s breach of firearms could be around 15 years. Police have also stated there’s other issues they want to speak to Clavell about, however will not divulge the extent of their information on him.
Our thoughts are with all of those involved.
Top Comments
Well now the truth has come out after watching the interview on today tonight, with one of the girls who was with him in the siege. THERE WERE NO HOSTAGES!!! they wanted to stay there on there on free will. The police have lied to all of us and it shows they are corrupt and can not be trusted!!! They wanted him dead! fact!
I totally agree excessive. What a way to shame someone and misinform the public. He certainly was not South Australia's most wanted criminal. I think this situation is so sad and I really doubt the actions of the police and there legitimacy. I think like his brother had said Something more should have been done to help him surrender. It was clear from the outset of him becoming a criminal that something had gone seriously wrong and he was self destructing. I agree we don't have all the info but surely if he had done something worse than what we have been told, we would know about it. The police need to question what has gone on and look deeply at the way they respond to such matters, to look intrinsically to detail. Inevitably they are now held responsible for this tragic circumstance and I really hope that they learn something from this. Improvement to the system is needed and I believe that his death is symbolic of that. All my thoughts with Rodney Clavells family. Rest in peace Rodney.