Neighbours of arrested fugitive Graham Potter have spoken of their shock after studying they have been dwelling subsequent to one among Australia's most needed alleged criminals.
Potter, 64, went on the run after failing to seem on conspiring to homicide prices in a Melbourne court docket in 2010 and had evaded police for 12 years.
After escaping an arrest try in Tully in 2010, police believed Potter was hiding out in rural Far North Queensland, the place he used an array of disguises, like wigs and fat-suits, to evade seize.
Yesterday, after receiving a witness report, Potter was found and arrested at a run-down Ravenshoe dwelling, two hours drive southwest of Cairns in Queensland's Tablelands area.
He was found dwelling with a girl, Sandi Feller, who informed 9News this morning she knew Potter was a needed fugitive.
Ms Feller didn't reveal the character of her relationship with Potter.
Detective Inspector Kevin Goan mentioned investigators have been working to find out if prices can be laid.
"There's work to be accomplished when Victorian Police get right here to determine if prices might be laid in opposition to another one that could have been harbouring Potter whereas he was in Queensland," he mentioned.
"We imagine he has been within the space for the final 12 years at the very least."
A neighbour, Jack, mentioned the home was noticeably uncared for.
"They saved it so hidden however it was such a rat nest, any evening you'd see so many rats and cats operating out of that place," he mentioned.
"In slightly city like this, you possibly can conceal, you simply do it - it is really easy.
"The most important hidden secrets and techniques are in small cities.
"We do not also have a site visitors gentle, a roundabout or a zebra crossing."
Russell Kidd, who lived subsequent door to Potter, mentioned he had by no means seen the person within the six months he lived there.
"It is scary, wish to know that he was proper beside. I've obtained a four-year-old son," he mentioned.
"I used to be inside after the police got here and I simply heard a heap of commotion.
"Did not suppose it will occur in Ravenshoe."
The supervisor of the Membership Resort, Laith Pignatt, mentioned Potter appeared like a standard particular person, including he had been questioned concerning the fugitive by police beforehand.
"I used to be interviewed by police eight years in the past. He was coming by way of the bottle-o shopping for alcohol and so they got here and obtained footage of him and questioned me about him," Mr Pignatt mentioned.
"I used to be shocked he was nonetheless round.
"I believed he would've disappeared a very long time in the past.
"I believed he may need been within the hills or one thing, someplace proper within the wilderness someplace, not in the midst of city, 800 metres away, if that."
Police have confirmed Potter gave them the identify "Josh" when arrested, however glided by the identify of "Ned" within the city.
"He is definitely been protecting a low profile. He is assimilated at some factors throughout the neighborhood," Detective Goan mentioned.
"The alternate of information, information from members of the general public who've reported sightings has been important."
Potter is anticipated to be extradited to Victoria tomorrow, with police nonetheless investigating who else was concerned and the way he evaded seize.
"We all know he is taken to flight on earlier events when approached... if he can outrun a type of German shepherds, good luck to him," Detective Goan mentioned.
"North Queenslanders have a tolerance for what they're ready to just accept of their dwelling atmosphere and we are able to accredit his seize with some individuals who had a suspicion he was dwelling there."