75-Year-Old Charged with Firearms Offences Amid Search for Missing Boy
A 75-year-old individual has been charged with firearms offences as police continue their intensive search for missing four-year-old boy August "Gus" Lamont. The arrest occurred on Monday during the latest efforts to locate the little boy, who vanished from his family's property near Yunta in outback South Australia last September. However, authorities have clarified that the firearms charges are unrelated to Gus's disappearance and are also not connected to a separate incident in October 2025 involving media at the property.
The 75-year-old has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear in Peterborough Magistrates Court in May. Meanwhile, police have concluded another day of searches at Oak Park Station, with Task Force Horizon detectives expected to resume operations in the remote Yunta region on Tuesday as the investigation escalates.
Suspect Identified in Gus's Disappearance
South Australian Police have now identified a suspect in Gus's disappearance, more than four months after he went missing from the outback sheep station on September 27. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke revealed that investigators uncovered "inconsistencies and discrepancies" in information provided by family members, leading to a major shift in the case.
"We have identified a person of interest," Fielke stated. "That person, who resides at Oak Park Station, has withdrawn their support for police and is no longer co-operating. That person is now considered a suspect in the disappearance of Gus." Police emphasised that the suspect is not either of Gus's parents.
Major Crime Declaration and Forensic Search
The case has been formally declared a major crime, with a comprehensive forensic search of the homestead already completed. Officers seized a vehicle, a motorcycle, and several electronic devices as part of the investigation. Gus was last seen playing outside the homestead while his grandmother cared for his younger brother inside.
Despite one of the state's largest search operations—involving police, SES volunteers, Indigenous trackers, drones, and helicopters—no trace of the child has been found. The only physical clue remains a single footprint discovered about 500 metres from the property.
Community Response and Ongoing Efforts
The tight-knit Yunta community, home to fewer than 100 residents, has remained united in grief and uncertainty since Gus vanished. Detective Superintendent Fielke has previously affirmed, "We will continue to thoroughly and meticulously investigate the disappearance of Gus until we get an outcome. Nothing is off the table."
As the search intensifies, police are urging anyone with information to come forward, highlighting the ongoing commitment to resolving this tragic case.
