Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: ACT Police

A 22-year-old man has been extradited from Queensland to face the ACT Magistrates court today after allegedly committing a virtual kidnap scam on an international student residing in the ACT last year.

The man was arrested in Brisbane on Monday, 6 May 2024 by Queensland Police after officers from ACT Policing’s Major Crime team sought interstate assistance.

Police allege the 22-year-old man first contacted the victim in August 2023 and claimed to be a Chinese police officer investigating her for money laundering.

The victim was pressured to not tell anyone about their communication and was eventually convinced to check into a hotel room where the man attended and placed her under ‘arrest’.

He demanded ‘bail’ payments from the victim which she paid on the day and made further payments over the next few weeks.

The victim was further convinced to hand over her phone and social media accounts and book another hotel.

Police allege the man then contacted the victim’s family overseas claiming she had been kidnapped and demanded a ransom.

The victim’s family and friends reported her missing to ACT Policing and she was later located at a Belconnen hotel.

Investigators identified the 22-year-old man in CCTV footage and tracked him down to an address in Queensland where he had been residing.

He will face charges of forcible confinement, representing himself as a police officer, kidnapping, and obtaining a financial advantage by deception when he appears in court today (Wednesday, 8 May 2024).

Police understand scam victims often feel shame for being taken advantage of, and encourage anyone who has been scammed to report it at www.scamwatch.gov.au.

For more information about virtual kidnap scams, download our multi-language fact sheet here. If you’ve been the victim of this type of scam you can report it to ACT Policing on 131 444.

Note for journalists: Broadcast quality video of the extradition can be downloaded from Hightail. (This link will expire in seven days.)

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an aggravated robbery that occurred in a Gungahlin restaurant early yesterday.

About 2.00am yesterday morning (Tuesday, 7 May 2024) two men allegedly entered an Asian restaurant on Hibberson Street in Gungahlin where they were disturbed by the owner. They were allegedly carrying a knife and a crowbar and assaulted the owner before taking a sum of cash.

The two men were described as Caucasian, about 180cm (6’) tall and were wearing black jackets and black tracksuit pants.

Police are seeking witnesses to the incident including anyone who saw people or vehicles in the Hibberson Street area around 2am on Tuesday morning.

Anyone who can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via theCrime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7742457. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

UPDATE at 22 May 2024: ACT Policing has confirmed that the human remains located at Point Hut Crossing on Sunday 5 May 2024 are those of missing 38-year-old Gordon man Timothy Lyons. At this time, the death of Mr Lyons is not being considered suspicious. A report will be prepared for the Coroner in relation to this matter.

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ACT Policing is investigating the discovery of human remains near the Point Hut Crossing of the Murrumbidgee River yesterday afternoon.

About 3.45pm yesterday (Sunday 5 May 2024), police attended an area near the northern end of Point Hut Crossing following a call from a member of the public.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident, and a post mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death and formally identify the body.

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 7741265. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

A 25-year-old Canberra man has been extradited to the ACT from South Australia to face multiple family violence charges.

About 11am, Tuesday 2 April 2024, police allege the man committed a serious family violence assault against a woman, his ex-partner, at a residence in Forde, during which he is alleged to have strangled and threatened to kill the woman.

Since the time of the assault, Gungahlin Police Station General Duties officers with the assistance of the ACT Policing Family Violence and Victims Unit have actively been seeking to locate the man.

Following a report from a member of the public, the man was arrested by South Australia Police in Adelaide on Tuesday, 30 April 2024.

The man was subsequently extradited to the ACT yesterday (Thursday, 2 May 2024) and is due to face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday, 3 May 2024).

He has been charged with five offences – two counts of aggravated common assault (family violence), and single counts of aggravated threat to kill, choke/suffocate/strangle another person, and aggravated property damage.

Deputy Chief Police Officer for the ACT, Doug Boudry – who is also Chair of the ANZPAA Family Violence Network, said this was another arrest under ACT Policing’s Operation Pemberton, an operation targeting family violence offenders.

“Family violence is a significant issue in our community, and police are committed to ensuring offenders are held accountable for their actions, regardless of their location after their offending,” Assistant Commissioner Boudry said.

“Our message to family violence offenders is clear – as this matter shows, there is no place that we can’t find you, and no limit to the lengths all our officers will go to in order to apprehend an offender.

“If you commit family violence offences in our community, you will be caught, and we will put you before a magistrate.”

Police take all reports of family violence seriously, and continue to investigate all forms of offending to ensure victims and the community are kept safe and offenders are held accountable.

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 02 6185 2000

ACT Government family violence services

For journalists: Broadcast quality video of this incident can be downloaded from Hightail. (This link will expire in seven days.)

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.