Belgian tourist Davine Arckens leaving Murray Bridge police station late on Friday night. Picture: Sam Wundke

Detectives swooped upon a farmhouse on the outskirts of Meningie, southeast of Adelaide, about 12.30pm Saturday.

A marked 4WD with police and two unmarked cars drove into the property, where a number of plain clothes detectives emerged from a building and ran into the waiting vehicles.

They then drove a short distance up the hill to a farmhouse, set about 200m from the roadside.

A short time later, police took a man from the home in handcuffs before driving him at high speed from the property towards Murray Bridge.

The man was in the back seat of the unmarked car with his head covered by a black sheet.

Dozens of police travelled from Murray Bridge to Meningie early this morning, with patrol cars manning numerous exits and entries into the town.

Davine Arckens was reported missing after travelling on a bus from Adelaide to Murray Bridge on Thursday morning.

Family members in Belgium alerted SA police and said they believed she was being held against her will.

In a day of high drama in the Murraylands, Major Crime detectives swarmed on Murray Bridge and Meningie on Friday, searching several properties without success.

At about 1.45pm, Major Crime Detective Inspector Greg Hutchins made a desperate public plea for help. Around 6pm, a Murray Bridge resident phoned police to say the 24-year-old photographer was in a house nearby.

Davine Arckens in pictures released by police as they searched for her.Source:AAP

She was found alone soon afterwards and taken to Murray Bridge police station, where detectives continued to interview her on Friday night. She left the station after 11pm, making no statement as she was taken to a car and driven away.

Insp Hutchins said police had held grave fears for Ms Arckens’ safety but refused to elaborate on whether she had been abducted or gone to the house of her own free will.

“She appears physically unharmed ... and her family has been informed,” he said.

“She is speaking with police in relation to yesterday, overnight and today but I can’t elaborate any further.”

When asked if anyone would be charged or questioned over the incident, Insp Hutchins said: “I don’t want to jump to anything at the moment. She’s just been found.

“She seems to have been through an experience, we’ll work out exactly what happened so we can make an informed decision. We’ve got a lot more work to do.”

Ms Arckens, a wildlife and nature photographer, travelled to Australia for a year-long holiday in December and arrived in South Australia on February 2.

She went to Kangaroo Island for several days before staying at the Shakespeare International Backpackers’ hostel on Waymouth St.

Police said Ms Arckens had posted an advertisement on the Gumtree website, asking for work in Victoria.

“I’m looking for these jobs in Melbourne starting 30 of January. With accommodation stay or hostel nearby. Cuz I don’t have a car. I love nature and animals, I eat fruit every day;) it would be nice to do a job like this. If you have something please let me know. Thx,” the advertisement read.

Insp Hutchins said detectives were investigating whether the Gumtree advertisement had anything to do with the backpacker’s disappearance.

“We believed a person responded to her ad and she went to Murray Bridge ... for that work,” he said.

“Obviously she placed an ad on Gumtree ... her intention was to hang around, as to how long that is, whether it’s days or months, I don’t know.”

Insp Hutchins said police were investigating reports Ms Arckens got into a red utility when she arrived at the Murray Bridge bus depot about 10.15am on Thursday.

The Gumtree ad of missing backpacker Davine Arckens.Source:Supplied

Earlier yesterday, when police still feared the worst, Insp Hutchins would not reveal whether those fears were heightened because Ms Arckens had sent a message to anyone in Belgium.

“Late (Thursday) night, SA Police were informed by her family (overseas) of these concerns ... Family has alerted us they believe she was held against her will,” he said.

“While I don’t want to disclose exact details of what has led to that conclusion, I can say we are very concerned that this young lady is being held against her will somewhere in the Murraylands region.”

During an afternoon press conference, Insp Hutchins made a public plea to the unknown person they believed was holding Ms Arckens.

“I also appeal to that person holding Davine against her will. We are throwing significant resources at this, it is only a matter of time we identify who you are,” he warned. “I plead with you not to harm her or not to do her any more harm.”

The widespread search involved Major Crime, the Special Crimes Branch, STAR group officers and local police patrols. Police still want anyone who believes they saw Ms Arckens in the area or who has information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Man arrested in Belgian tourist mystery