Month: October 2025

Source: ACT Police

ACT and NSW police form joint strike force to investigate missing woman Laura Haworth

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is supporting National Missing Persons Week (28 July to 3 August 2024) by highlighting the 14 active long-term missing persons cases in the ACT.

National Missing Persons Week (NMPW) is an annual campaign that seeks to raise awareness of long-term missing persons cases across Australia.

Every year, about 50,000 people are reported missing to police. Almost all are found safe and well, but some remain missing for more than three months.

The ACT currently has 14 long-term missing people, including two missing overseas.

ACT Policing Detective Acting Inspector Adam Rhynehart said NMPW aims to highlight some of the hundreds of long-term missing persons cases across the country and hopefully find answers for those left behind.

“Police are always searching but we cannot do it without help from the community. I ask anyone with any information – no matter how big or small – to contact Crime Stoppers,” Detective Acting Inspector Rhynehart said.

“The information you provide could be the key to giving their families some much needed answers.”

More information on missing persons can be found at:

www.police.act.gov.au/crime/missing-persons

www.missingpersons.gov.au

A long-term missing person is a person missing for a period of three months or more.

Source: ACT Police

A 33-year-old Chinese national has been charged with drug trafficking offences following the execution of search warrants across north Canberra yesterday.

In December 2023 ACT Policing, Victoria Police and NSW Police disrupted Australia’s largest illegal steroid and controlled drug distribution network. This group was working out of both the ACT and Victoria.

As part of ongoing investigations from that operation, a second criminal group was identified operating in the ACT. Police will allege this group was also promoting their illegal business through bodybuilding discussion forums and using encrypted messaging apps to facilitate the sales.

Yesterday (Thursday, 25 July 2024) ACT Policing Drugs and Organised Crime Team, with the assistance of Australian Border Force officers executed search warrants in Flynn, O’Connor and Whitlam.

At the O’Connor residence police located more than 59,000 thousand vials and 156,000 tablets of steroids and prescription drugs with an estimated value of at least $5 million. An extendable baton, cash and other items that supported the distribution of the drugs were also seized.

At the Flynn home, two BMW vehicles were seized – suspected to have been purchased with the proceeds of crime.

A 33-year-old Chinese national was arrested at the Flynn home and he was charged with 23 counts of supplying an anabolic steroid, 27 counts of supplying a declared substance, one count of attempting to supply anabolic steroids, possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing the proceeds of crime, and failing to comply with a 3LA order.

He is scheduled to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday 26 July 2024) where bail will be opposed.

The investigation is ongoing and further arrests may be made.

Anyone who has information about the illegal sale and distribution of these drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7516495. Information can be provided anonymously.

Note for journalists: Footage and images in relation to this matter can be downloaded from Hightail (this link will expire in seven days).

Source: ACT Police

Updated 7.50am, Tuesday 6 August 2024

The wanted 27-year-old man police sought assistance to locate last month has been arrested.

About 8pm last night (Monday, 5 August 2024), police conducted a traffic stop on a silver Honda City sedan on Kingsford Smith Drive, Florey.

The man was subsequently located hiding in the boot of the vehicle and arrested.

He will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, 6 August 2024) charged with breach of parole and possess prohibited weapon. Further charges are anticipated.

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ACT Policing is urgently seeking the public’s assistance to locate wanted 27-year-old man Nicholas Peter.

Mr Peter is wanted in relation to multiple driving, fail to stop and possible firearm offences.

He is described as Caucasian in appearance, about 185cm (6’1”) tall, with short, dark brown hair, brown eyes and a thin build.

He has been seen driving a black Audi SUV (last seen with ACT registration YND36V) or a blue motorbike. He is known to frequent the Gilmore and Chisholm areas of Tuggeranong.

Police also believe Mr Peter may be in possession of firearms so he should not be approached by members of the public.

ACT Policing is urging Mr Peter to surrender himself to the nearest police station or to contact police and provide his location.

Members of the public are urged not to approach Mr Peter, but to contact ACT Policing Operations on 131 444 immediately to report any information regarding his whereabouts. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

Twenty-five people have been arrested, including more than a dozen in one night, following the launch of the City Safe Campaign on Monday, 8 July 2024.

The City Safe Campaign – targeting criminal acts and anti-social behaviour in the City and immediate surrounds – is a high visibility operation focused on policing licenced premises, local businesses, and high foot traffic areas.

During first two weeks of the operation, police have arrested 25 people for various offences including theft, breach of bail, possessing stolen property, breaching good behaviour orders and assault.

A further six people were lodged into protective custody at the ACT Watch House or transported to the Sobering Up Shelter to ensure their safety due to their level of intoxication. Seven people were issued with move on directions for drinking in public.

Officer in Charge of City Police Station, Acting Superintendent Dave Craft, said the first two weeks of the operation had seen more foot patrols in the central business district and around city bars and nightclubs.

“We want people to feel safe while moving through the city and we do that by looking out for people who may be vulnerable and need a little bit of help, or by intervening in situations where people are acting aggressively.

“Increased police visibility around those areas seven days a week will hopefully make people reconsider their antisocial or violent behaviour, and it ensures we’re nearby to quickly provide assistance if required.”

Source: ACT Police

A 48-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today charged with several family violence offences and threats to kill.

Police allege that the man committed extensive family violence offences over a period of 5 months against the victim, including intimate image abuse, assault, threats to kill, and breaching a family violence order.

Yesterday (Wednesday, 24 July 2024), the man is again alleged to have contacted the victim, including sending a photo message with an image of a pipe bomb and threatened to use it against the victim last night.

In the early hours of this morning (Thursday, 25 July 2024), members attached to ACT Policing’s Family Violence Unit, Tactical Response, the Bomb Response team, and Police Negotiations team attended a residence in Duffy.

After a short negotiation, the man was arrested for family violence offences and conveyed to the ACT Watch House.

The man has been charged with offences including breaching a family violence order, aggravated common assault, intentional threats to kill, using a carriage service to harass, threatening to distribute intimate images, and dangerous driving.

Police understand the significant coercion and control exerted in relationships where family violence exists, and encourage anyone impacted by any type of family violence offending to contact police and seek support.

If you are a victim of family violence or believe someone you know is the victim of family violence, you can contact police on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency, or attend any police station.

The following support services are also available:

ACT Domestic Violence Crisis Service 02 6280 0900

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre 02 6247 2525

YWCA Canberra Domestic Violence Support Service 02 6185 2000

ACT Government family violence services

Source: ACT Police

Great news, Canberra – the wanted 42-year-old man we sought assistance to locate last week has been arrested.

He has been charged with three offences – two counts of aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm (family violence) and a single count of choke person unconscious. He faced the ACT Magistrates Court earlier today (Monday, 29 July 2024) where bail was refused.

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ACT Policing is seeking information from the public to assist in locating wanted 42-year-old man Benjamin Brown.

Benjamin is wanted by police for serious family violence offences after he allegedly assaulted his partner and choked her unconscious.

Following the incident on 13 July 2024, police made numerous attempts to locate Benjamin but have been unsuccessful.

He is described as Caucasian in appearance, about 180cm (5’11”) tall, with a medium build, fair complexion, short brown hair, and blue eyes. He has tattoos on both arms.

He was last seen in Symonston on 13 July but may also be in the Queanbeyan area.

Police believe Benjamin is actively avoiding police.

Members of the public are urged not to approach him, but to contact ACT Policing Operations on 131 444 to report any information regarding his whereabouts. Please quote reference number 7797727. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is appealing for information regarding the sale of counterfeit gold bullion on social media following recent reports to police.

Between 20 and 28 June (2024) police received three reports of a scam involving the sale of purported gold bullion on Facebook Marketplace.

In all three matters, the victims made contact with the seller who then arranged to meet them at various locations in the Gungahlin area to complete the sale.

The seller produced receipts from the Perth Mint as proof the gold bars were legitimate, but these were later found to be fraudulent.

The victims later took the gold bars to be independently appraised only to be told the items were either copper or gold-plated plastic.

Police executed a search warrant at a Taylor residence on 7 July (2024) and seized counterfeit products and almost $3000 in cash suspected of being the proceeds of crime.

An 18-year-old man will be charged and face court at a later date in relation to the fraud.

Anyone with information that could assist, or any other victim of this scam who has not yet contacted police, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 7785464. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is disappointed with the number of drivers on our roads with illicit substances in their system, following an operation that took place earlier this week.

On Monday (22 July 2024), officers from Road Policing conducted roadside vehicle checks, and alcohol and drug screening on Athllon Drive, Greenway.

During the operation and after only 12 roadside drug screening tests, two people were taken into custody for returning positive results to illicit substances. These drivers will face court at a later date pending analysis of samples provided.

In addition, three people were issued with defect notices due to driving unsafely maintained vehicles.

Since Saturday, Road Policing have had five drivers return positive roadside drug tests, including the two drivers from Monday’s operation.

Officer in Charge of Road Policing, Acting Inspector Mark Richardson said that these numbers indicated that impaired driving remained an ongoing issue.

“Driving on our roads comes with the responsibility of being a safe road user. You are responsible for the safety of yourself, your passengers and other road users, so to even consider driving while under the influence is an incredibly selfish act,” Acting Inspector Richardson said.

“To see that two people returned positive results to illicit drugs in their system from just 12 roadside drug tests is unacceptable.

“Impaired driving puts you at an increased risk of being involved in a crash, endangering not only your own life, but other road users who are making the right choices.

“These types of operations will be continuing, so to those who are getting behind the wheel under the influence, be prepared to be caught and face the full extent of the law.”

Source: ACT Police

A 35-year-old man has been charged and drugs, cash and stolen items have been seized following a traffic stop in Higgins last night.

About 10pm last night (Monday, 22 July 2024) Belconnen General Duties officers stopped a white Ford Focus while patrolling in Higgins.

The driver was identified as a person who had bail conditions not to drive a vehicle and he was arrested.

A subsequent search of the vehicle located approximately 39 grams of methylamphetamine, a small amount of cannabis, more than $6,600 in cash, clip seal bags, a set of scales, five mobile phones, a garage remote control cloning device, identity and bank cards in various names, gloves and a torch.

The man was charged with breach of bail, breach of a good behaviour order, drive while licence suspended, possess drugs to supply to another person and going equipped for theft.

Further charges may be laid as investigations into this matter continue.

Anyone who has information about the sale and distribution of drugs in the ACT and surrounding region can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.