Paul Derek Tomms: Man wanted by police since 2019 appears in Geraldton court after being arrested in drug bust

A man who has been wanted by police since 2019 over fraud and stealing allegations has faced court in Geraldton after he was arrested during a drug bust this week. The bust in Strathalbyn saw Geraldton detectives arrest two men, one who was living in South Australia for more than two years while facing charges in WA for an alleged string of fraud offences. Police allege on Friday, April 19, 2019, 49-year-old Paul Dereck Tomms entered Badgingarra Roadhouse on Brand Highway and noticed a mobile phone and bankcard on the store counter. Geraldton detectives officer-in-charge Det-Sen. Sgt Bruce McDonald alleged the man stole the items and used the bankcard to make 11 fraudulent transactions over two days in the Perth area. Detectives understand the accused recently returned to Geraldton from South Australia. On Tuesday this week, Det-Sen. Sgt McDonald said detectives raided an address on Willow Court in Strathalbyn where Mr Tomms was residing with the 42-year-old home owner. “A number of illicit drugs were located and seized,” he said. Det-Sen. Sgt McDonald said while conducting the search, detectives found Mr Tomms and arrested him for his prior alleged offences. “The male was subject to two outstanding arrest warrants from 2019 and was wanted for questioning in relation to a number of stealing and fraud offences,” he said. Mr Tomms was charged with two counts of breaching bail, 11 counts of benefit by fraud, stealing and possession of drug paraphernalia. Mr Tomms appeared in court on Wednesday where he claimed he had left WA to flee a drug dealer who he said threatened to kill him and to avoid drugs because he had a substance abuse issue. Once in South Australia, he claimed he was unable to return to WA due to border restrictions during the pandemic. Mr Tomms is also facing charges in South Australia and is known to Queensland police, the prosecution stated. After returning to WA two weeks ago, Mr Tomms said he intended to hand himself in to police, but stopped at his brother’s home where he was arrested. Magistrate Evan Shackleton granted Mr Tomms bail but warned the “long arm of the law” would catch him if he attempted to escape charges again. He will next appear in court on January 5. Mr Tomms’ 42-year-old brother, the owner of the raided home, was charged with three counts of possession with intent to supply for drugs including methamphetamine, MDMA and dexamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine, cannabis and drug paraphernalia. He was bailed from Geraldton Police Station and will appear in Geraldton Magistrates Court on January 12. Detectives thanked the community for their help and said the arrests were achieved through a combination of community reports and a police focus on the sale of illicit drugs.