An Australian fugitive wanted so desperately by police they released his prescription and a $100,000 reward in the hope an optometrist would lead to his capture has been arrested in Far North Queensland after 12 years on the run.
Graham Potter – dubbed as one of Australia’s most-wanted men – was last seen in Tully, Queensland, in 2010 when he ordered and paid for a pair of glasses that he never collected.
Police launched a manhunt after he failed to appear on bail at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 1 February 2010 over charges of conspiracy to murder two people.
According to The Age, at the time he went into hiding, Potter was accused of being hired to kill a man at Melbourne underworld figure Mick Gatto’s son’s wedding in 2008.
Last year, Victorian police said an Australian eyecare professional could hold the key to locating Potter – believed to be myopic – and released his script which they asked optometrists to check against their databases for a match, or near match.
A $100,000 reward was also floated for information leading to his capture.
Queensland Police released a video of Potter’s arrest on Monday 21 February, which took place in Ravenshoe in Far North Queensland.
Acting on a tip from the public, Tablelands detectives, uniformed police and the Cairns Dog Squad attended an Ascham Street residence at 8:45am where the 64-year-old was taken into custody.
Police had previous information regarding sightings of Potter in the Tablelands area, where it is alleged he evaded police in Tully in 2010.
Multiple law enforcement bodies throughout Australia have been attempting to locate him for the last 12 years.
Victorian Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Mr Mick Frewen said Potter was also wanted for allegedly trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs, namely 25,000 ecstasy pills.
“It puts to end an end a long and protracted hunt for a very high-end fugitive that is wanted for very serious criminal charges,” he said.
“From Victorian police’s perspective, it’s an outstanding result, while the trail has gone cold the resolve to locate Graham right across Australia has not wavered and today in collaboration with Queensland police we have been able to locate him.”
Detectives from Victoria will travel to the Far North, to seek Potter’s extradition.
Potter was set to appear before Mareeba Magistrates Court on Tuesday February 22.
More reading
$100,000 reward for optometrist linking police to fugitive
