Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing has released a face-fit image of a man investigators would like to speak to in relation to a house fire in North Lyneham earlier this year.

About 2.45am on Sunday, 26 March 2023, police and ACT Fire & Rescue were called to a fire at a residence on Cossington Smith Crescent, North Lyneham.

The fire was deemed suspicious and police have been investigating the cause of the incident.

As part of this investigation, police have now released a face-fit image of a man who has been identified as a person of interest in relation to the fire.

The man is described as Caucasian in appearance, aged in his 40s, with a fair complexion, short brown hair, and brown eyes.

ACT Policing Detective Acting Inspector Matt Innes said the fire has caused significant emotional and financial hardship to the owner of the home.

“The fire completely destroyed this house, causing approximately $700,000 worth of damage. The consequences of this incident could have been much worse had anyone been inside the home at the time,” Detective Acting Inspector Innes said.

“This is a serious incident, a dangerous incident, and it is important that those responsible are brought before the court.

“If you are the person in the face-fit – contact us. And we urge anyone else that has information about this incident to come forward. “

Anyone with information that could assist police in relation to this fire is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via theCrime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7387444. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing’s Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team (SACAT) has arrested a 25-year-old man as he attempted to leave the country following an investigation into an alleged sexual assault that occurred in the City earlier this year.

Police allege that between 15 and 16 July 2023, the man sexually assaulted a girl several times in a Bunda Street nightclub, and in Bible Lane, Canberra City.

The girl attended hospital after the incident and underwent a forensic medical examination.

Following an investigation into the matter, the 25-year-old man – an Irish national – was arrested a Sydney International Airport prior to his departure on Saturday (16 December 2023). He faced Parramatta Local and District Court yesterday (Sunday, 17 December 2023) where his extradition to the ACT was granted.

He is expected to face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Monday, 18 December 2023) to face charges including two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, and one count of attempted sexual intercourse without consent.

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.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and dash-cam footage of two vehicles conducting burnouts on Kings Avenue yesterday.

About 8.00pm last night (Friday, 15 December 2023) police received reports that two black Holden sedans had been observed conducting a burnout on the Kings Avenue overpass.

Shortly thereafter, they were seen driving southbound along Kings Avenue and exited onto Wentworth Avenue.

The drivers of the Holdens’ were believed to be driving in company with other vehicles, including a blue Yamaha motorcycle.

Investigations into the alleged incident are ongoing and police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed (or has dash-cam footage of) the incident, or observed the Holdens’ driving around the area at the time the burnout allegedly occurred.

Anyone with 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 P2216253.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing’s Operation TORIC has charged a 23-year-old Torrens man following an attempted carjacking in November.

About 4.45pm on Tuesday, 14 November 2023, police allege the 23-year-old entered the passenger seat of a Porsche in Belconnen, which was stationary, and demanded the driver leave the vehicle.

When the driver refused, it is alleged the 23-year-old then assaulted him both inside and outside the vehicle.

The 23-year-old then entered the driver’s side of the vehicle in an attempt to take it, however the owner was able to lock the offender inside the vehicle.

The offender then allegedly smashed the driver’s window and ran away.

The vehicle owner suffered injuries including a broken nose and a sprained ankle.

In-car camera footage and CCTV from the area assisted in identifying the alleged offender, who was subsequently arrested by officers attached to Operation TORIC with the assistance of officers from the AFP’s Specialist Protection Command, yesterday (Thursday, 14 December 2023).

The 23-year-old man is scheduled to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday, 15 December 2023) to face charges including attempt robbery, destroy/damage property not exceeding $5000, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, make demand with threat to endanger health, and possess knife without reasonable excuse.

Source: ACT Police

A 29-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrate’s Court charged in relation to an aggravated robbery in Kippax.

About 3.35am on Tuesday (12 December 2023), police allege the 29-year-old approached a man outside the Kippax shopping centre requesting to use their phone.

When the man refused to hand over their phone, it is alleged the 29-year-old produced a screwdriver and assaulted the man.

It will be further alleged that the 29-year-old then stole the man’s Ford Ranger utility and fled the scene.

The man was subsequently transported to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Later that morning, the 29-year-old was located in Cootamundra, NSW following a single vehicle collision, where he was transported to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The man faced the Wagga Wagga Court yesterday where his extradition to the ACT was granted. He is scheduled to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today (Thursday, 14 December 2023) to face charges including aggravated robbery and take motor vehicle without consent.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is launching a new campaign with the support of the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC) and the world’s most popular app for meeting new people, Tinder (Match Group) to promote positive consent when engaging in intimate acts.

Beginning in December, ACT based users of the dating platform Tinder will begin to receive in-platform advertising reminding users of the ACT’s positive consent laws.

In 2022 the Crimes (Consent) Amendment Act  2022 (ACT), was amended to shift the principle that consent is not presumed, and there must be an ongoing and mutual conversation between participants. The Act also outlines that people have a right to choose to not participate in sexual activities. The communicative model of consent is one which is underpinned by principles of agency, autonomy and responsibility and is based on a culture of healthy, respectful relationships.

ACT Policing’s Officer in Charge of the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team, Detective Inspector Stephanie Leonard said that the landscape had changed and that the new laws needed to be highlighted across the community.

“There is no doubt online dating platforms such as Tinder are where people are meeting future partners. That’s why we were pleased Tinder was happy to partner with us and CRCC to remind Canberrans using the platform of the affirmative consent rules in the ACT,” said Detective Inspector Leonard

“We hope that continuous discussions around consent will see people’s attitudes change – and that giving and receiving consent will become a normal part of everyone’s relationship.”

“Many of today’s dating interactions start online and it’s essential that these are safe and consensual, above all. Respect has always been at Tinder’s core and consent is much more than permission and rules. We hope that this campaign, along with our own ongoing education, helps further educate daters in the ACT on how to foster healthy relationships. By empowering users to establish their own and respect others boundaries, they are able to create better communication with their connections,” said Tinder Australia spokesperson Kirsty Dunn.

Chief Executive Officer of the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, Chrystina Stanford said CRCC is pleased to be able to work with ACT Policing on such an important campaign.

“We know that more people are accessing dating sites than ever before, and we want to try and make sure that we are helping keep people safe,” said Ms Stanford.

“People impacted by sexual violence can contact CRCC on 6247 2525 and speak to one of our crisis staff.”

The consent ads on Tinder will roll out in December 2023.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, you can report to police by attending a police station or calling 131444. Further information on sexual offences can be found via the ACTP website.

You can also submit an online report for historical sexual assault for incidents that occurred more than six months ago.Tinder also encourages users to confidentially report bad behaviour or anything that goes against its Community Guidelines. Users can report someone directly from a profile or reach out through the in-app Safety Centre at any time.

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC) can be contacted via their Crisis Phone Line on  02 6247 2525 or Crisis Text Line Only on (M) 0488 586 518.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and dash-cam footage of an incident of unsafe road behaviour on Paddy’s River Road in Tidbinbilla.

About 5pm yesterday (Monday, 1 January, 2023), police observed two men sitting on the front and rear doors of a black Toyota Yaris with their torsos out of the vehicle, filming on mobile phones.

Police pulled the vehicle over and spoke to the driver, who was allegedly an unaccompanied learner driver and was not displaying his L plates.

Officers conducted a roadside drug test on the driver which returned a positive result for cannabis. The man was transported to Tuggeranong Police Station and will be subject to further drug testing.

It is believed the vehicle travelled from Uriarra Village via Brindabella Road, through the Cotter campground area and onto Paddy’s River Road.

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this unsafe behaviour or who may have dash-cam footage of the vehicle and its occupants around the time of the incident.

Police would particularly like to speak to the rider of a red sports bike that was behind the vehicle at the time police observed the incident. Police would like to stress that the motorcyclist is a witness to the incident and not involved in the dangerous driving behaviour.

Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7635376. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

A 27-year-old Denman Prospect man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, 2 January 2024) on multiple charges including weapons offences.

About 5.10pm yesterday (Monday, 1 January 2024), police were called to a residence in Denman Prospect after the man – who was the subject of a Sentence Administration Board warrant – was spotted at the location.

Police attended a residence on Garzoli Rise, and located the man hiding inside a cupboard.

A search of the man allegedly revealed three bank cards and one Victorian Drivers licence – all belonging to other people, as well as a small amount of what police believe to be cannabis.

A further search of the residence allegedly revealed a black firearm suppressor (silencer), a black, spring-loaded double-edged knife, a black Conducted Energy Weapon, as well as various ammunition.

The man was arrested at the scene, during which police allege he refused to provide police with his details and resisted arrest.

He has been charged with eight offences – two counts of possess prohibited weapon, two counts of possess ammunition, and single counts of arrest of offender for board hearing, refuse/fail to provide name/address, obstruct/resist territory public official, and possess prohibited article without permission.

Police also found components that are believed to belong to slam-type firearms, as well as small quantities of what police believe to be methamphetamine. Further charges are anticipated pending the outcome of forensic examination.

Source: ACT Police

An 18-year-old man and two teenage boys have been charged following multiple burglaries that occurred in Fyshwick and Wright in December.

In the early hours of 17 December (2023) police were called to multiple burglaries that had occurred at businesses in Fyshwick. CCTV showed a stolen red Mitsubishi SUV at some of the burglary locations and the vehicle was located later that morning on fire in Isabella Plains.

Investigators from the Proactive Intervention and Diversion Team identified three people as persons of interest in the investigation.

Two additional burglaries that occurred in Wright on Thursday (28 December 2023) were also believed to be linked to this group.

On Friday (29 December 2023) police executed a search warrant at the home of one of the persons of interest where items linked to the burglaries were recovered.

Yesterday (Sunday, 31 December 2023) police attended a southside residence and arrested an 18-year-old man and two boys aged 16 and 15.

The 18-year-old man was charged with ride in a motor vehicle without consent, aggravated burglary, joint commission theft, breach of bail and breach of a good behaviour order.

The 15-year-old boy was charged with unauthorised entry of a motor vehicle and breach of bail.

The 16-year-old boy was charged with breach of bail.

Investigations are continuing and further charges are expected to be laid.

Anyone with information in relation to these burglaries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or on the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 7622606. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing has charged a 16-year-old boy with weapons offences following an incident in Kingston yesterday.

About 3.35pm yesterday (Sunday, 31 December 2023) police responded to reports a person was riding a motorbike on the footpath near Wentworth Avenue in Kingston.

A short time later police located a 16-year-old boy pushing a blue and white motorbike.

Police spoke to the youth and located a replica handgun and approximately $4000 in cash being carried by him.

He was arrested and a subsequent search of the boy’s residence located a ballistic vest and items believed to be illicit drugs.

He was charged with possession of property suspected to be the proceeds of crime, unauthorised possession of a prohibited firearm, weapon possession, and breach of bail. Inquiries are continuing and further charges may be laid.

The 16-year-old is scheduled to appear in the ACT Children’s Court today (Monday, 1 January 2024) where bail will be opposed.

Anyone with information about the sale and distribution of illicit drugs in the ACT is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or on the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.