Month: October 2025

ACT Policing will conduct a search in an area of Mt Ainslie today (Wednesday, 23 October 2024), as the investigation for long term missing person Malak Arok continues.

Malak has previously been referred to as David Abuoi, and he may have also used the first name Gabrielle.

Today, approximately 30 members from ACT Policing, including specialist forensics, and AFP Search and Rescue will assist with the search.

He has not been seen since leaving the ACT Watch House on the morning of 10 July 2012. Mr Arok was a Sudanese refugee who came to live in the ACT in 2005.

The search location has become an area of interest after reviewing information gathered from witnesses and other sources of information.

Anyone who can assist police with further information in relation to the disappearance of Malak Arok is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 5093973. Information can be provided anonymously.

A 39-year-old Bonner man has been charged with the possession of stolen items from gravesites in Gungahlin in July.

In late July police sought witnesses to thefts (including items and plaques) from gravesites at the Gungahlin Cemetery.

Following an investigation by officers from Gungahlin General Duties and ACT Criminal Investigations, a search warrant was executed at a Bonner residence on Thursday 31 October 2024.

During the search police located multiple items believed to have been stolen from gravesites at the Gungahlin Cemetery as well as a pump action rifle located concealed within a vehicle seat, ammunition, swords, number plates, methadone and mobile phones.

The firearm is believed to have been stolen during a burglary on a residence in Chisholm in May this year.

The 39-year-old was subject to an unrelated arrest warrant as he failed to appear before the Sentence Administration Board on 28 March 2023, was arrested on 6 September and granted bail to appear before the Board on 10 September 2024. He again failed to appear before the Board on 10 September and a further arrest warrant for breach of parole was issued. A separate arrest warrant was also issued by the ACT Magistrates Court in September relation to unrelated criminal matters.

The man was remanded last week and will face further charges in relation to the possession of additional stolen items from the Cemetery in Gungahlin and the stolen firearm from the burglary at his next court appearance on 21 November 2024.

Police have now recovered all items stolen from the Cemetery in Gungahlin in late July 2024, except for a distinctive pink quartz stone that was stolen from a grave site. The stone is around 30-35cm tall with a circumference of about 40cm.

Anyone who can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7812019. Information can be provided anonymously.

Two men are expected to face court today after allegedly choking their partners in two unrelated family violence incidents overnight.

About 6pm last night (Monday, 4 November 2024), a 29-year-old Harrison man allegedly assaulted his wife after getting into a verbal argument with another family member.

When his wife attempted to speak to him, he allegedly slapped her in the face, kicked and choked her.

The woman managed to free herself and call police.

Police attended and after speaking to witnesses, arrested the man.

He has been charged with aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, aggravated common assault and choking, suffocating or strangling another person.

In a separate incident, about 10.40pm last night, police were called to a home in Gordon following reports of an altercation between a man and woman.

Police allege the 41-year-old man pushed his partner into a cupboard before choking her after they got into an argument.

Another resident of the home separated the two before the man allegedly began breaking windows and doors and choking the woman again.

The 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene and charged with offences including choking, suffocating or strangling another person, property damage and aggravated common assault.

Both men are expected to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court today (5 November 2024).

ACT Policing stands ready to assist victims experiencing family violence. If you are in this situation – when it is safe to do so – please contact police on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency, or contact a support service who can assist with crisis support, safety planning and advice.

If you require assistance, you can contact:

• Triple Zero (000) in an emergency or life-threatening situation.

• Police Assistance on 131 444 if it is a non-emergency, but you require police assistance.

• The Domestic Violence Crisis Service provides a 24-hour crisis line, advice, safety planning and information every day of the year and can be reached on 02 6280 0900.

• The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre provides a 24-hour crisis line and can be contacted on 02 6280 0900.

A 33-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today after allegedly sexually assaulting a teenager earlier this year.

Police allege in April (2024), the man became the girl’s sports coach and subsequently sexually assaulted her on three separate occasions in July and August.

Yesterday (Sunday, 4 November 2024), investigators from the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team executed a search warrant at the man’s home where he was arrested.

He has been charged with committing an aggravated act of indecency without consent, sexual intercourse without consent, and having a sexual relationship with a young person under special care.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, you can report to police by attending a police station, calling 131 444, or by speaking to the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525.

You can also submit an online report for historical sexual assault for incidents that occurred more than six months ago.

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and dash-cam footage after a motorcycle failed to stop for police in Fyshwick last weekend.

About 9.15pm on Saturday, 26 October (2024) police were conducting patrols in Fyshwick when they observed a motorcyclist turn onto Canberra Avenue travelling in excess of the speed limit.

Police activated their lights and sirens, however the rider subsequently failed to stop, and was last observed turning onto Newcastle Street, Fyshwick.

About 9.20pm, police found the black motorcycle crashed on Newcastle Street, just short of the intersection of Gladstone Street. The rider is believed to have failed to navigate the roundabout and fled the area prior to police arrival.

Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have dash-cam footage that captures the incident. This includes any businesses in the vicinity of Newcastle Street, Isa Street, or Pirie Street who may have CCTV footage.

Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7884565. Information can be provided anonymously.

A 33-year-old woman has died following a single vehicle collision on Lady Denman Drive on Thursday night.

About 9.30pm on Thursday (31 October 2024) police and emergency services were called to a collision involving a motorbike on Lady Denman Drive near Scrivener Dam.

The motorbike had left the roadway and collided with a roadside barrier.

First aid was provided by witnesses and attending police to the 33-year-old female rider before she was transported to hospital by ACT Ambulance Service paramedics in a critical condition.

Sadly, the woman was declared deceased last night (Friday, 1 November 2024).

This is the eighth road fatality on ACT roads this year, with five of those deceased being motorbike riders.

Throughout November, speeding motorists will be in the sights of ACT Policing as its monthly traffic focus turns to those who push the limits.

Speeding remains one of the five main contributors to fatal accidents, and is a factor in a large portion of collisions on ACT roads.

Police have already issued more than 1800 traffic infringement notices for speeding in 2024, with 184 of those being for exceeding the speed limit by over 30 kilometres per hour.

Officer in Charge of Road Policing, Detective Inspector Mark Steel said drivers who choose to speed are gambling with their lives and the lives of others.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s very disappointing that this message is not getting through to those who continue to push the limits,” Detective Inspector Steel said.

“Many fatal and serious collisions that occur on Canberra roads each year are directly attributable to drivers who exceed the posted speed limit.

“With more than 1800 traffic infringement notices issued for speeding already in 2024, there are still far too many people out on Canberra’s roads ignoring the limits.

“Speed limits are not optional, however speeding is a choice that you make. I would urge road users to make the choice to slow down and save lives.

“Our message is quite simple – don’t speed.”

ACT Policing has released a face-fit image of a man who was allegedly involved in an inappropriate contact incident at Majura Park earlier this month.

About 11.45am on Saturday, 12 October 2024, the man was inside the Majura Park Shopping Centre when he allegedly grabbed a young person and touched them inappropriately.

As part of the ongoing investigation into the incident, police have now released a face-fit image of the man they would like to speak to.

He is described as Caucasian in appearance, about 170-175cm tall, with grey hair, and a grey beard.

The man was wearing a grey/off-white coloured baseball cap with red on the front, and a grey checkered shirt at the time of the incident.

Police would urge the man depicted in the face-fit to present himself to the nearest police station.

Anyone who recognises this man, or has information that could assist police, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7873297. Information can be provided anonymously.

Two men will face court today after allegedly importing a large consignment of illegal vapes into the ACT.

Yesterday (29 October 2024), police executed search warrants at properties in Ainslie and Hackett after a consignment of vapes was intercepted by the Australian Border Force.

The consignment of 2,540 vapes (worth an estimated $127,000) was seized by police.

A 19-year-old Ainslie man was arrested after allegedly arranging for the delivery and then attempting to take possession of it.

A 20-year-old Hackett man was also arrested after police located almost 300 vapes and more than $3,000 of cash at his residence.

Police allege the men were part of a group that facilitated the sale of vapes across the ACT and surrounding region.

Two other men, a 24-year-old Vietnamese national and 26-year-old Crace man, have previously been arrested for their alleged involvement in the group.

To date, police have seized as part of this investigation more than 3kgs of cannabis-laced gummies, more than 2 kgs of dried cannabis, nearly 4,000 vapes with an estimated street value of just under $200,000, and about $43,000 suspected of being the proceeds of crime.

Anyone who can assist police with information about the illegal sale and distribution of vapes and illicit substance in the ACT is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.