Con suspect caught
NOTORIOUS fraud suspect John Arthur Edwards could face more than 30 criminal charges when he is eventually brought back to Cairns.
But the accused conman is expected to remain in police custody in South Australia for now, following his capture about 7pm on Wednesday night.
Police arrested Mr Edwards in Adelaide, ending a national manhunt.
He was last seen in Cairns in August when police cornered him in bushland near Trinity Beach.
Soon after he escaped their grasp, he fled the Far North, having allegedly fleeced a woman of her savings after proposing marriage to her.
Det Insp John Hartwell said Smithfield police had prepared an application for Mr Edwards' extradition to Cairns where he would be charged with at least 30 offences, mostly fraud and theft.
But he was also wanted for crimes in South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria.
Det Insp Hartwell said news of Mr Edwards’ arrest would provide some relief to his alleged victims.
"It's always good when we get someone who's wanted for so many crimes," he said. "Particularly when he's been causing so much grief."
Authorities had issued more than 20 warrants for the arrest of Mr Edwards.
He talked his way into a Cairns woman’s life and they became engaged earlier this year.
The pair had signed a contract for a $700,000 northern beaches property before he allegedly cleaned out his fiancee's bank account and stole her parents' car, leaving her heart-broken and thousands of dollars worth of unpaid bills.
The Cairns Post revealed Mr Edwards had been wanted in every state and territory except for Tasmania and the ACT.
He had allegedly ripped off at least two other women who had developed relationships with after meeting them on a dating website.
Mr Edwards has allegedly used up to 20 aliases in Queensland alone.
Share this article
In custody: Notorious fraud suspect John Arthur Edwards could face more than 30 criminal charges when he is eventually brought back to Cairns.
New Jetstar flights between Cairns and Osaka
THE re-introduction of Jetstar's four weekly direct services to Osaka in Japan and a doubling of flights to Melbourne from April 1 next year are the first significant announcements today by the airline as the result of a new agreement with Cairns Airport.
Kate earns National Pride Medal
INSPIRING young leader and cancer survivor Kate Smith could hardly believe she won a national Pride of Australia medal last night.
Abbott wins in leadership spill
BREAKING NEWS: Tony Abbott is the new Opposition Leader.
Escapee back in custody
BREAKING NEWS: Police have found a man who escaped from police custody at Ravenshoe on Sunday night.
Woman watched boyfriend bash, strip tourist
THE girlfriend of a man accused of raping and attempting to rape two foreign tourists at a Cairns caravan park says she watched him bash and strip one of them then chase after her.





















