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Australia’s most wanted fugitives revealed

Policing are hunting for (from left) Harley Bennett, Graham Potter and Jonathon Dick.

Policing are hunting for (from left) Harley Bennett, Graham Potter and Jonathon Dick. Photos: Crime Stoppers Australia

Australia’s most wanted man has been able to fly under the police radar for a decade partly due to his ordinary looks.

Victorian Graham Gene Potter, who has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to murder at Brunswick in 2008, has been able to avoid detection by simply blending in.

“Graham Potter is Australia’s most wanted person at the moment,” Detective Acting Inspector Michael Phyland told reporters on Monday.

“He’s probably reasonably middle-aged guy now. He’s been able to blend in and looks like a fairly everyday person. That’s been to his advantage.”

Det Acting Insp Phyland said it was likely someone had information to help police find the Victorian man, and nine other of the nation’s most wanted fugitives.

Authorities turned to the public to track down the outlaws, wanted for offences including sexual assault and murder, as part of an annual operation to find “the 10 most wanted fugitives from across the nation”.

keith porter

Keith Porter failed to attend a sentencing hearing at Brisbane Supreme Court in 2006. Photo: Crime Stoppers Australia

“It is quite simple and easy for these people to fly under the radar,” Det Acting Insp Phyland said.

Police had a reported sighting of Potter in Griffith, NSW, and reminded the public the nation’s 10 most wanted fugitives could have moved interstate.

Images of the men – accused or convicted of crimes in Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia – have been released in the hope people recognise them.

Another Victorian, Jonathon Edward Dick, is wanted over the murder of his brother, David Dick, who was attacked with a sword and knife in the north-east Melbourne suburb of Doncaster in February 2017.

Dick may be living on the streets after changing his appearance, according to Crime Stoppers.

In Queensland, Keith John Porter hasn’t been seen since he failed to attend a 2006 sentencing hearing over a cocaine and cannabis syndicate.

Wanted NSW man Harley Bennett is thought to have fled interstate in a breach of parole after being jailed over a 2003 sexual assault in Newcastle.

“These criminals may appear to be leading a normal life. They may be your work colleague, neighbour or a new person that has moved to your area, hiding in plain sight,” Crime Stoppers Australia chairman Trevor O’Hara said on Monday.

Anyone with information is urged to make a confidential report via 1800 333 000 or online, and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Other outlaws on the run

* Arron Michael Blenkinsop (also known as Andrew Ross Bailey): Convicted in Queensland in 2015 for drug trafficking. Failed to comply with conditions after being granted parole.

* Cody Allan Coppock (aka Cody Gallegos, David Morris): Wanted over an aggravated break and enter at Armatree in NSW in February. Has “Gallegos” tattooed on his forearm.

* Jonathan Robert Simmons (aka John Robert Griffiths, Tristian Simmons, John Simmons): Allegedly obtained more than $50,000 from a fraudulent punters website in Adelaide.

Arron Blenkinsop, Cody Coppock and Jonathan Simmons are also wanted. Photos: Crime Stoppers Australia

* Paul Paterson (aka Paul James, Jason Anthony Taylor): Convicted in 1996 for assaulting a child at Wauchope in NSW. Believed to be in the Darwin area.

* Pham Nguyen: Wanted for conduct endangering life after allegedly getting into a woman’s car and splashing her with petrol in Victoria last year.

* Paul Brent Steadman: Former Bathurst karate instructor charged in 2015 with sexually assaulting child under the age of 16. Steadman’s car was later found in bushland. He may have died.

Paul Steadman, Pham Nguyen, and Paul Paterson round out. Photos: Crime Stoppers Australia

-AAP

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