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'Hiding in plain sight': The wanted criminals who could be living next door

A manhunt is underway for some of Australia’s most wanted criminals, with top investigators fearing they may be hiding in plain sight in communities around the country.

Wanted for murder, sexual assault, drug trafficking and theft, these are some of the fugitives who have continuously flown under the radar of authorities and are now the subjects of a major Crime Stoppers investigation.

Among them are a father who is convicted of a serious assault on his two-year-old stepdaughter, a man wanted in relation to the murder of his brother with a sword and a karate instructor who is accused of sexually assaulting a boy under the age of 16.

“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 Chairman Trevor O’Hara said.

As a result of last year’s campaign, Yahoo7 News assisted Crime Stoppers in apprehending 63 per cent of the nominated fugitives.

Pictured below are the individuals being targeted in this year’s Operation Roam ‘Rogue Radar’ campaign.

Members of the public are urged not to approach them under any circumstances. If you see them while out and about call triple-0 immediately, otherwise report to Crime Stoppers and you may be eligible to receive a cash reward.

Jonathan Dick

Jonathan Edward Dick
Jonathan Edward Dick

Victorian man Jonathan Dick sparked a nationwide manhunt after his 36-year-old brother David was found brutally murdered outside a Doncaster shopping centre on February 3, 2017.

Police believe Jonathan was the man seen on CCTV footage at the scene of the crime, making him a “person of interest” in his brother’s death.

He was last seen in Ivanhoe East, Victoria where he abandoned his blue 1997 Ford Fairmont sedan.

Considered dangerous and possibly armed with a knife, police believe the 39-year-old has fled interstate and are now calling on the public to provide information on his whereabouts.

Paul Brent Steadman

Paul Brent Steadman
Paul Brent Steadman

Paul Brent Steadman was working as a karate instructor in the Bathurst area in 2015 when he was charged with offences relating to the sexual assault of a boy under the age of 16.

He failed to appear at Bathurst local court resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest.

His vehicle was later located in bushland, but he has never been found.

Police believe he has left the Bathurst area but are also considering the possibility that he is deceased.

The 50-year-old has an olive complexion, brown eyes, black hair and is of a medium build.

Pham Nguyen

Pham Nguyen
Pham Nguyen

Pham Nguyen remains on the run after allegedly hiding in a woman’s vehicle, who drove off without realising he was in the backseat.

He is then accused of splashing petrol over the victim and assaulting her, causing the woman to drive off the road and into a pole.

The 62-year-old fled the vehicle and is now wanted by police for the offence of “conduct endangering life”.

Nguyen is 152cm tall and of a medium build with brown eyes and black hair.

Graham Gene Potter

Graham Gene Potter
Graham Gene Potter

The 60-year-old is wanted for two counts of conspiracy to murder in Victoria back in 2008.

Graham Gene Potter, who also goes by Josh Lawson or Peter Anderson, was arrested and charged but failed to appear when granted bail.

He has been subject of many media appeals over the past decade but despite various sightings across the country, he remains on the run.

Potter has brown eyes, brown hair and is of a medium build.

Jonathan Robert Simmons

Jonathan Robert Simmons
Jonathan Robert Simmons

The 36-year-old is accused of obtaining more than $50,000 from a fraudulent punters website in Adelaide.

He is now wanted by South Australian police for 10 deception offences.

Jonathan Robert Simmons is also known as John Robert Griffiths, Tristian Simmons and John Simmons.

He is of a medium build, has brown eyes and black hair.

Members of the public with information about any of the individuals on the ‘Rogue Radar’ list, should contact Crime Stoppers 24/7 on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.