Latest news with #MajorCrimeSquad
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
WA Police treating death of baby in Balcatta in Perth's north as 'family violence incident'
Police say they are treating the death of a baby in Perth's north as a "family violence incident". Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after the six-month-old infant was found dead in a Balcatta home just after 3am on Monday. The child's mother was taken by ambulance to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and placed under police guard. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said members of the household were being questioned. "It's the investigation of a family violence incident, it's confined to the members of that household," he told 6PR radio. "There are no charges yet but the major crime squad are investigating."
ABC News
09-07-2025
- ABC News
Grave fears for German backpacker Carolina Wilga missing in WA's remote Wheatbelt
Police have escalated efforts to find a German backpacker missing in Western Australia's Wheatbelt for more than a week. Caroline Wilga, 26, had been travelling Australia for two years, and was last seen near Beacon, 330km north east of Perth, on June 29. WA Police say they have serious concerns for Ms Wilga's welfare, with the major crime squad now assisting with the search and investigation. Commissioner Col Blanch said the police air wing was searching bushland around the town. "We haven't seen her or heard from her since (June 29), her mobile phone is not currently on, we are very concerned," he told ABC Radio Perth. "Now the major crime, homicide squad are investigating. That doesn't mean its a homicide at this point. "But we've certainly got our very best capabilities doing that investigation because we do have serious concerns." Mr Blanch said Ms Wilga had maintained regular contact with her parents before her disappearance, adding to the concern. He said her intended destination was unknown and she could be travelling in a black and silver 1995 Mitsubishi van, registration 1HDS 330. "The vehicle is very distinctive," Blanch said. "It's two-tone, it's got a rooftop tent, it would be very easy to spot if you're driving and it's on the side of the road," he said. Ms Wilga is of slim build, with frizzy or curly, long, dark or blonde hair and brown eyes. She has several tattoos.
West Australian
28-05-2025
- West Australian
Major Crime Squad investigate the death of an Aboriginal man in custody following a shoplifting incident at Coles Alice Springs
Senator Lidia Thorpe has demanded answers after a 24-year old Aboriginal man, who lived with a disability under state guardianship, died in custody after a shoplifting incident at Coles in Alice Springs. Police allege the man was 'placing items down the front of (his) clothing' before he was confronted by security guards about 1.10pm on Tuesday. He was allegedly involved in an altercation with security when two police officers arrived and restrained him. Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst told media one of the security guards was assaulted, and two police officers who were in plain clothes at the time in the supermarket rendered assistance to the security guards. 'The male behaved rather aggressively and was placed onto the ground by those police officers, he was later identified as losing consciousness,' he said. Police said in a statement the man stopped breathing and officers performed CPR until paramedics arrived. He was rushed to the Alice Springs Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after 2.20pm. Major Crime Squad detectives travelled to Alice Springs to investigate the man's death and police will prepare a report for the Coroner. The assistant commissioner told ABC Alice Springs the man, known to police, was living in Alice Springs but had come from a remote community in Central Australia. He said the man's family had been contacted by police. There have been 593 Aboriginal deaths in custody since the Royal Commission handed down its report in 1991. Senator Thorpe said this was not an isolated tragedy but a brutal pattern where Aboriginal people died at the hands of authorities. 'For decades, our people have called for an end to this violence — for justice, accountability, and care instead of cruelty. But still, our voices are ignored,' she said. The senator said the 24-year old man lived with a disability and was hungry and needed care when the incident took place. 'My heart is with Warlpiri mob, the Yuendumu community, and all those grieving the shocking death in custody of a young Aboriginal man in Mparntwe yesterday, who died while being restrained by police inside a supermarket,' she said. More to come.
