Man to face court following unprovoked assault

Source: ACT Police

A 36-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning following an alleged unprovoked assault last night.

About 9.00pm (Thursday, 2 May 2024), the 36-year-old man allegedly approached another man in an Akuna Street Hotel, City, and grabbed him by the neck.

The 36-year-old man then allegedly attempted to drag the man into his hotel room, before allegedly producing a knife and attempting to stab the man.

About this time, people nearby heard the man calling out for help, and assisted the man, who sustained minor injuries as a result of the alleged assault.

Police attended a short time later, and arrested the 36-year-old. He will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning charged with possessing offensive weapon with intent, assault with intent, and forcible confinement.

High range speeder detected in school zone during National Road Safety Week

Source: ACT Police

A man driving on a suspended licence has been fined close to $800 after he was detected speeding through a school zone during National Road Safety Week.

About 11.30am on Thursday, 9 May 2024, police were conducting speed enforcement activities on Murranji Street, Hawker.

Around this time, police detected a white Kia travelling at 76km/h in the signposted 40km/h school zone.

The vehicle was stopped, with checks revealing the driver’s right to drive in the ACT had been suspended.

This was one of 44 speeding offences detected by police during National Road Safety Week – 5-12 May – with 16 of these incidents detected in school zones.

Across the period, police identified three negligent driving offences, eight instances of unlicenced driving or unaccompanied learner drivers, 20 unregistered vehicles, and 15 uninsured vehicles. Two drivers received infringements for burnout offences, with a further eight detected committing lane discipline offences (drive in bus lane, drive in bike lane, drive over line markings).

Police also conducted 282 roadside breath tests (two positive results) and a further 129 roadside drug tests (three positive results).

Sergeant Travis Mills from ACT Road Policing said that while initiatives such as National Road Safety Week were important, road safety was everyone’s responsibility all the year round.

“As police, our road safety focus remains on keeping the community safe 365 days a year,” Sergeant Mills said.

“While the figures from National Road Safety Week are somewhat encouraging, it is still extremely disappointing for police to see multiple drivers caught speeding in school zones, driving negligently, not obeying the road rules, and driving under the influence.

“This behaviour is dangerous, and can lead to tragic consequences that no one wants to see, including police.

“If you break the road rules, it is only a matter of time before police catch up with you.”

Man to face court charged with threat to kill, assault offences

Source: ACT Police

A 32-year-old Charnwood man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Wednesday, 15 May 2024) after allegedly assaulting two people in unprovoked attacks and evading police on several occasions.

About 12.30pm yesterday (Tuesday, 14 May 2024), the man allegedly drove a white Suzuki Swift to a caravan park in Symonston. While there, he allegedly assaulted and threatened to kill another man before departing in the Suzuki Swift.

A short time later, about 12.55pm, police responded to reports of a disturbance at the Pine Island Reserve, where it is alleged the man had assaulted another man after ramming his motorcycle with the Swift.

Police attended the location about 1pm, and immediately directed the man to stop, which he failed to do. Due to concerns the driver and vehicle posed to the community, a pursuit was initiated, which travelled through Bonython, where the man is alleged to have driven at approximately 100km/h in a signposted 60km/h zone.

The pursuit was terminated a short time later while the man was allegedly travelling at excessive speeds northbound on the Monaro Highway.

Police continued to observe and monitor the vehicle until it came to a halt in Latham, at which point police arrested the man.

He has been charged with eight offences – two counts of assault, two counts of fail to stop for police, two counts of reckless driving, and single counts of reckless threat to kill, and dangerous driving.

Police would like to speak to anyone who saw, or may have interacted with, or who may have dash-cam footage of the vehicle being driven in and around the ACT yesterday. Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via theCrime Stoppers ACT website.Please quote 7748565. Information can be provided anonymously.

Wanted man to face court after absconding from custody

Source: ACT Police

A 26-year-old man who fled court in June last year while being sentenced will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Wednesday, 15 May 2024) following his extradition from NSW.

The man escaped custody on 5 June 2023 when he was facing the ACT Supreme Court for sentencing for burglary, attempted arson, driving a stolen motor vehicle, and traffic related offences.

He avoided police in Canberra before fleeing to Braidwood where he was arrested by NSW Police for outstanding matters on 11 June, 2023.

The man was remanded for 11 months in a NSW correctional facility and following the completion of that sentence, officers from ACT Policing’s Major Crime Squad attended Nowra District Court where they successfully applied for his extradition to the ACT.

He will appear before the ACT Magistrate’s Court today to face a charge of escaping from custody, while also commencing his sentence for his previous convictions.

Firearms seized during Hume warrant

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing has seized a number of firearms as well as ammunition, body armour, and other items during warrant activity in Hume.

About 11am on Sunday, 12 May 2024, members from ACT Policing’s Drugs and Organised Crime Team, assisted by members of Criminal Investigations and the AFP Canine unit, executed a search warrant at a property on Sawmill Circuit, Hume.

During this warrant, police located and seized:

  • Five rifles, four with scopes

  • One shotgun

  • One imitation Glock handgun

  • One air rifle

  • Multiple boxes of ammunition

  • Body armour

  • Multiple holsters and firearm accessories

  • Australian Defence Force items, including a uniform, manuals, personally issued items (such as certificates)

  • Stolen personal documentation (including medical records)

Police believe the rifles and shotgun, which have been sent for forensic testing, were stolen during a 2016 burglary.

While no arrests have been made, investigations surrounding the warrants are ongoing and charges are expected.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via theCrime Stoppers ACT website.Please quote 7746704. Information can be provided anonymously.

Man charged with family violence offences and assaulting police

Source: ACT Police

A 32-year-old Weston man is scheduled to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court tomorrow after he allegedly assaulted family members and police last night.

About 7pm last night (Saturday, 11 May 2024), police attended a residence in Weston following a report of a family violence incident.

Police allege the man got into a verbal altercation with two other residents of the home and allegedly assaulted them before leaving the scene.

The man was located by police about an hour later and allegedly made repeated threats against the officers. He was arrested after a short struggle during which officers were forced to discharge a taser, but he continued to behave aggressively, allegedly kicking a police officer in the leg.

He was charged with aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, aggravated common assault, and assaulting a frontline community service provider.

Witness sought for a two-vehicle collision on the Barton Highway

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is calling for witnesses or dash-cam footage of a two-vehicle collision on the Barton Highway yesterday afternoon.

About 3.30pm (Friday, 10 May 2024), police and emergency services were called to a collision between a silver Nissan Navara and a white Hyundai Kona at the intersection of the Barton Highway and Victoria Street in Hall.

One of the occupants was trapped in her vehicle but was freed by ACT Fire and Rescue before being taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Police are urging any witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage from the area at the time of the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via theCrime Stoppers ACT website.Please quote INV-9040. Information can be provided anonymously.

Police seeking witnesses to armed robbery in Torrens

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an armed robbery that occurred in Torrens yesterday afternoon.

About 4.15pm (Friday, 10 May 2024), police received a report that a woman had been walking home when a white hatchback vehicle pulled up alongside.

A man exited the vehicle with a pair of secateurs (pruning scissors) and demanded the woman’s handbag. When she refused, the man grabbed the bag and a small struggle ensued.

The man eventually made off with the woman’s belongings and she received minor injuries to her hand.

The man is described as Caucasian in appearance with a solid build and shaved head. He was wearing a black puffer jacket, black pants and white sneakers.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via theCrime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7745453. Information can be provided anonymously.

Police seek witnesses to Cotter Road collision

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and dash-cam footage of a collision between a vehicle and a cyclist on Cotter Road earlier this week.

About 9.00am on Saturday, 4 May 2024, police and emergency services responded to a collision between a silver Mazda CX9 SUV and a cyclist at the intersection of the Cotter Road and Greenhills, Stromlo.

The cyclist, a 36-year-old man, was treated at the scene by ACT Ambulance Service paramedics before being transported to hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the CX9 has been identified and is providing assistance to investigators.

Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have dash-cam footage of the collision. Police would particularly like to speak to the driver of a red hatchback that was in the vicinity of the collision at the time.

Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via theCrime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7740337. Information can be provided anonymously.

Witnesses sought to single vehicle Gungahlin Drive collision

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and dash-cam footage of a single vehicle collision on Gungahlin Drive yesterday.

About 7.30am on Thursday, 9 May 2024, police and emergency services attended the northbound lanes of Gungahlin Drive where a silver Mitsubishi Lancer had left the roadway and collided with a tree.

The single occupant of the vehicle, a 38-year-old woman, was treated at the scene by ACT Ambulance Service paramedics before being transported to hospital in a serious condition.

ACT Policing’s Major Collision Team is investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dash-cam footage of the vehicle on Gungahlin Drive prior to the collision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7744213. Information can be provided anonymously.

Police would also like to discourage members of the public from slowing down to film or take photos of collisions as they are driving past – this is to not only preserve the dignity of those involved, but to not contribute to their own collision.