This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/05/adelaide-city-centre-off-limits-as-police-search-for-wanted-man-rodney-clavell

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Adelaide city centre off-limits as police search for wanted man Rodney Clavell Adelaide city centre off-limits as police search for wanted man Rodney Clavell
(about 1 hour later)
A siege is underway in Adelaide with a man holed up inside a building who police say has been the subject of a two-week manhunt.A siege is underway in Adelaide with a man holed up inside a building who police say has been the subject of a two-week manhunt.
Rodney Clavell, 46, has evaded police since a warrant was issued for his arrest over breaching a firearms Prohibition Order on 20 May. Police described him as “dangerous.” Rodney Clavell, 46, has evaded police since a warrant was issued for his arrest over a “serious” breach of a firearms prohibition order on 20 May. Police described him as “dangerous”.
On Thursday morning police urged people to stay away from the Adelaide city centre after they suspended public transport and cordoned off a block on King William Street, where they believe Clavell is, along with several other people. On Thursday morning police urged people to stay away from the Adelaide city centre after they cordoned off a block on King William Street where they believe Clavell is, along with several other people, and closed the entire street. Public transport is suspended between Halifax street, Sturt street, Angas street, Gouger street and Wright street.
Police did not call the people inside the building hostages, but described them as “innocent people inside … who are not allowed to leave,” Superintendent Peter Harvey said on Thursday morning. Police did not call the people inside the building hostages, but described them as “innocent people inside … who are not allowed to leave”, Superintendent Peter Harvey said on Thursday morning.
“The people of South Australia well understand it of course, but we’ve been looking for Rodney for the last 14 days,” Harvey said. “Rodney, think of them, think of yourself. There is a way out and it’s very, very simple. It’s about talking,” Harvey pleaded with Clavell through an interview on ABC News. “Nothing is as bad as it might seem. This doesn’t have to escalate.”
Harvey earlier said: “The people of South Australia well understand it of course, but we’ve been looking for Rodney for the last 14 days.”
“He has a violent past where he’s been involved in violent shootouts with police and has been shot by police. He’s served his time for that.”“He has a violent past where he’s been involved in violent shootouts with police and has been shot by police. He’s served his time for that.”
Police have chased Clavell around Adelaide for the past two days, with numerous reported sightings across the city, the Advertiser reports.Police have chased Clavell around Adelaide for the past two days, with numerous reported sightings across the city, the Advertiser reports.
“We’ve done 80 raids over the last four days, and this is the culmination of a lot of detective work,” Harvey told ABC News.
In 2004 Clavell, a former prison guard, was shot twice and stun gunned by police after a chase through the Adelaide Hills in which he was armed with a shotgun and driving a grader. He was sentenced to four years in prison for the incident.In 2004 Clavell, a former prison guard, was shot twice and stun gunned by police after a chase through the Adelaide Hills in which he was armed with a shotgun and driving a grader. He was sentenced to four years in prison for the incident.
Police said they had been trying to make contact with Clavell since 1am and urged him to reach out. In 2008 Clavell was accused of inciting a riot at a jail in Port Augusta. Adelaide magistrates court was told in 2011 that Clavell beckoned inmates to join him, before 35 prisoners took over a section of the jail and rioted for three days.
Police said they had been trying to make contact with Clavell inside the Adelaide building since 1am and urged him to reach out.
“For everyone's benefit we need to start talking to you,” Harvey said to the cameras.“For everyone's benefit we need to start talking to you,” Harvey said to the cameras.
“We know that you have concerns about your safety. They are probably understandable because you're on the run. The reality is … we want to end this peacefully. I am here to make sure it ends peacefully … all we need is for you to speak to us, and to come out and it can be resolved peacefully.”“We know that you have concerns about your safety. They are probably understandable because you're on the run. The reality is … we want to end this peacefully. I am here to make sure it ends peacefully … all we need is for you to speak to us, and to come out and it can be resolved peacefully.”
Harvey said the current incident had nothing to do with Clavell’s previous run-ins with law enforcement but his known propensity for violence was of consideration.Harvey said the current incident had nothing to do with Clavell’s previous run-ins with law enforcement but his known propensity for violence was of consideration.
“We know for the last 14 days that he is armed,” he said.“We know for the last 14 days that he is armed,” he said.
Harvey said the goal of the police operation was to end the situation peacefully.