Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: ACT Police

Update issued approximately 9.15am, Wednesday, 6 March 2024

ACT Policing has established a mobile front office at Gungahlin Police Station following the closure of the Gungahlin Joint Emergency Services Centre.

The facility will be staffed by police from 8am to 8pm daily, and will provide basic front office police services, such as allowing members of the public to speak to police, report crimes, and attend for bail requirements. Justice of the Peace services are expected to commence at the site in the coming days.

It is expected this facility will be in place until such time as police are able to return to Gungahlin Police Station.

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As a result of a contamination issue at the Gungahlin Joint Emergency Services Centre, ACT Policing will temporarily relocate its officers to another work location.

During planned building works at the centre, routine testing was conducted for a range of hazardous materials. This testing identified traces of lead above acceptable levels in one location as well as diesel particulates. Further investigations are occurring to identify the extent and source of the lead and diesel particulates.

Taking a precautionary approach and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff, ACT Policing and the Emergency Services Agency have enacted business continuity arrangements. Gungahlin station-based police officers will move to the former Traffic Operations Centre (TOC) in Belconnen.

As a result of this move, the front office at the Gungahlin Station will be closed from Thursday 29 February 2024. People seeking face-to-face police assistance can still attend stations in the City, Belconnen, Woden and Tuggeranong or call 131 444.

Gungahlin residents who attend the station to satisfy bail conditions should make alternative arrangements.

Gungahlin patrols will continue to attend incidents in the Gungahlin district with an aim to ensure response times are kept to a minimum.

Source: ACT Police

Do you know what to do when you encounter motorcades on our roads?

ACT Policing will be facilitating multiple high office holder visits to Canberra in 2024 and our motorcade officers would like all drivers to assist us to ensure minimum disruption and maximum safety for all road users.

Planning for these visits takes many months and balances multiple factors including the itinerary of the guest, the security requirements, the motorcade size, the preferred routes and the time of day.

While planners will always seek to minimise the impact of a motorcade movement on road users, from time to time there will be short delays.

If road users encounter police managing a motorcade we ask that they:

• Be aware of their surroundings at all times.
• Obey the directions of police – especially at intersections
• Be patient
• Don’t drive over median strips or perform illegal u-turns
• Recognise that the delay will be for a short period only as the motorcade moves through

ACT Policing will use its Road Policing X/Twitter account (@ACTPol_Traffic) to provide regular updates on expected motorcade activity.

If you have an important appointment on a motorcade day please consider your route or leave earlier – especially if it involves attending the airport, City or Parliamentary precinct.

Source: ACT Police

Update at 8.35am Friday, 1 March 2024 – Thank you Canberra, the man we posted about on Wednesday has been located and charged with aggravated robbery (offensive weapon), assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possess offensive weapon with intent, aggravated burglary – intent to commit theft, joint commission theft, and destroy/damage property. He is scheduled to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court this morning (Friday, 1 March 2024).

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ACT Policing is seeking public assistance to locate a man who attempted to rob a Mitchell bottle shop earlier this month.

About 5.05pm on Friday, 16 February 2024, police allege Mitchell Jacka made demands for cash from the till at a Mitchell bottle shop while brandishing a knife.

The staff member complied with the demand before fleeing the shop and seeking assistance. In the process of fleeing, she was injured as she fell from the counter.

Soon after, a nearby shopkeeper and others attended the bottle shop and engaged with Mr Jacka. He eventually dropped the items in his possession and fled the scene.

Following extensive enquiries, ACT Policing is today seeking public assistance to locate Mitchell Jacka. He is considered a threat to the community and should not be approached.

Anyone that can confirm his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via theCrime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote INV-6498. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking the public’s assistance to identify five men in CCTV footage, believed to be involved in an assault against another man last December.

About 9.10pm on Monday, 25 December 2023, police received a report of a 55-year-old man being assaulted by a group of men.

It is believed the 55-year-old man approached a group of men playing loud music from their car on Macquarie Street, Barton. The group allegedly assaulted the man before fleeing the scene. The group returned a short time later, entering a nearby hotel room.

Anyone who can assist in identifying the men is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7629555. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing has charged seven Canberrans with various family violence offences, including assault, property damage, harassment and trespass, after several incidents yesterday.

In one incident, a 28-year-old woman was charged with four counts of assault after allegedly striking her male partner several times, causing significant injuries.

In another, a 57-year-old man was arrested after his alleged assault of his female partner was caught on CCTV at a hospitality venue in Phillip.

An 18-year-old man was charged with using a carriage service to harass after police observed dozens of messages allegedly sent by the man included threatening and harassing content.

Detective Sergeant Sam Norman from the ACT Policing Family Violence Unit said family violence can present itself in different ways.

“Even after a victim has ended the relationship abuse can still occur, as we have seen in a few of the matters over the weekend,” Detective Sergeant Norman said.

“While many incidents do present as assaults, police also see a range of behaviours, such as threatening messages or conduct, property damage, or trespassing as other forms of abuse, intimidation, and control offenders exert on their victims.

“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.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing will be targeting anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related offences at Skyfire tomorrow night (Saturday, March 16), with the Canberra community urged to do the right thing in and around the event.

While police want everyone to have a good time, there will be a zero tolerance approach to alcohol-fuelled violence and antisocial behaviour.

ACT Policing’s Operational Commander for the Skyfire event, Superintendent Rich Breiner, emphasised the importance of acting responsibly and planning ahead.

“Skyfire is a family-friendly event, and we want everyone to enjoy the fireworks, we are also urging people to consider how their behaviour may impact on others enjoyment,” said Superintendent Breiner.

“If you are intending on drinking at the event, please act responsibly and plan how you are going to get home in advance.

“We would also urge people to plan their transportation, as several roads will be closed to account for the high number of pedestrians in and around the event.

“If you are driving, take your time, plan to arrive early, and have patience on the roads when leaving the event.

“We want everyone to remember the event for the right reasons, and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Canberrans are also reminded that a police presence will continue in the city after the event, with members from the Territory Targeting Team and patrols working to make the City as safe as possible.

Source: ACT Police

A 31-year-old Fraser man who was subject to an Intensive Corrections Order will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday, 15 March 2024) in relation to a string of property offences.

In February 2024, police commenced an investigation into numerous incidents, including motor vehicle thefts, fail to stop, theft, and paywave offences. This investigation identified the 31-year-old man as a person of interest.

About 10pm on Thursday, 14 March 2024, police attended the man’s residence in Fraser. Upon seeing police, the man attempted to flee on foot however was subsequently apprehended.

A search of the residence located several items believed to be stolen, including tools, electronic devices, a laptop computer, and numerous identification documents belonging to other people.

The man has been charged with a total of 16 offences – three counts of obtain property by deception, three counts of unlawful possession of stolen property, two counts of unauthorised entry of a motor vehicle, and single counts of breach of intensive corrections order, theft, drive while disqualified, drive motor vehicle without consent, number plate/rego not issued properly, attempt theft, destroy/damage property, and attempt to escape from lawful custody.

In relation to these matters, police continue to investigate the alleged theft and subsequent arson of a silver Toyota Yaris. This vehicle was allegedly stolen on Friday, 19 January, and was later found burnt out in Torrens about 2.25am on Tuesday, 20 February.

Anyone with information regarding the alleged theft or arson of this vehicle are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7676035. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

Two men – a 30-year-old from Banks and a 33-year-old from Chifley – will face the ACT Magistrates Court later this month charged in relation to assaults that occurred at the Summernats festival earlier this year.

About 4.35pm on Saturday, 6 January 2024, a group of men entered the Summernats ‘cruise route’ – a designated vehicle-only area – on foot, before the group were confronted by security and crowd safety staff.

Police allege about this time, the 30-year-old man and the 33-year-old man, who were both working as crowd safety staff, assaulted a number of patrons.

Following a review of CCTV and mobile phone camera footage, police applied for and were granted search warrants in relation to persons of interest related to the assaults.

On Friday, 9 February 2024, police executed warrants at residences in Chifley and Banks, where items relating to the alleged offending were seized.

The 30-year-old man was arrested at the Banks residence, while the 33-year-old man was arrested on 12 February after presenting himself to Gungahlin Police Station.

The 30-year-old will face a total of six charges – three counts of reckless threat to kill a person, two counts of joint commission recklessly inflict actual bodily harm, and one count of recklessly inflict grievous bodily harm.

The 33-year-old has been charged with one count of recklessly inflict grievous bodily harm.

Both men are scheduled to appear in court on 21 March, 2024.

Investigations into the assaults at Summernats 2024 remain ongoing, and further arrests are anticipated.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team (SACAT) investigators have charged a 26-year-old Cocos Keeling Islands man with child sex offences.

Police will allege the man used fake social media accounts to solicit explicit images from juveniles and then used those images to extort three children to perform sexual acts with him, one of whom complied.

The man was arrested on the island today (13 March 2024) after officers travelled to the island to execute a search warrant on the man’s home.

He has been charged with 14 offences, including grooming using a carriage service, controlling child abuse material, indecent communications with a child under 16 and sexual penetration of a child. He is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court today via videolink.

ACT Policing Detective Inspector Stephanie Leonard said police encourage anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to come forward and speak to police.

“I understand that it’s a very difficult topic to talk about and it takes a lot of courage to disclose when you have been the victim of sexual abuse, but by coming forward, specialist investigators can provide you with the appropriate support and options to proceed,” Det. Insp. Leonard said.

“Protecting the most vulnerable in our community is incredibly important to ACT Policing, and SACAT investigators are on hand to ensure that any reports are dealt with appropriately and compassionately.”

The investigation is continuing, and further charges have not been ruled out.

Police are urging victims or anyone who has any information about the incident to contact police on 131 444 or report via CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote reference number 7687551.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing has decided to close the temporary Front Office facility located at Gungahlin Police Station.

The facility was enacted on 6 March 2024 in response to a contamination issue at the Gungahlin Joint Emergency Services Centre.

While every effort was made to provide a safe, secure, and workable office presence in Gungahlin, issues have since been identified that have not been able to be satisfactorily resolved.

At this stage it is unclear if another temporary facility will open, with alternatives currently being assessed.

Police attached to Gungahlin Police Station will continue to begin and end their shifts at the former ACT Policing Traffic Operations Centre in Belconnen.

Members of the community who have bail reporting obligations are encouraged to attend Belconnen Police Station. Alternatively, the intercom system at the front of Gungahlin Station is available for use – if members of the public do choose to use the intercom facilities (which utilises high-definition CCTV, and can be monitored live), please have a form of identification readily available, such as a driver’s licence, proof of age card, or passport.