Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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.

Source: ACT Police

An 18-year-old man who was subject to a good behaviour order has been charged with multiple driving offences following a serious collision in Florey yesterday.

About 11.50am yesterday morning (Saturday, 3 August 2024), police and emergency services responded to a collision between a Toyota Corolla and a Ford Falcon at the intersection of John Cleland Crescent and Coulter Drive, Florey.

Upon arrival, police were advised that the driver of the Ford Falcon had allegedly fled the scene on foot following the collision.

The driver of the Toyota Corolla was treated at the scene by ACT Ambulance Service paramedics before being transported to hospital with serious injuries.

A short time later, police located the 18-year-old driver of the Ford Falcon at a nearby residence in Flynn, where he was subsequently arrested.

He will face the ACT Magistrates Court tomorrow (Monday, 5 August 2024) charged with driving while suspended, using an uninsured motor vehicle, negligent driving, driving an unsafely maintained vehicle, failing to maintain compulsory insurance, not giving assistance following a collision, and breaching a good behaviour order.

Anyone who witnessed the collision who has not yet spoken to police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7815478.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking to identify a man and a woman who are believed to have been travelling in the stolen Genesis that picked up the two people involved in a fatal collision in April this year.

About 4.55am on Wednesday, 17 April (2024) police and emergency services were called to Adelaide Avenue, near State Circle, after a white Toyota Camry left the roadway, collided with a concrete barrier, and was subsequently located on its roof in the middle of the road.

One occupant of the vehicle was ejected from the vehicle and was transported to hospital. He later died from his injuries.

Recently, police confirmed that:

Police can now confirm the involvement of the man and woman in the stolen Genesis, with extensive forensic testing of the recovered vehicle locating DNA not belonging to its rightful owner.

Following this latest development, police are once again calling for all people involved in this incident – the two occupants of the Genesis, and the two other occupants of the Camry – to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Turkich from ACT Policing’s Major Collision team said police had been extremely happy with the engagement from members of the public following numerous calls for information in relation to this collision.

“Police often need assistance from the public in order to put the final pieces together in an investigation, and the information provided by the public in this investigation has been tremendous,” Detective Sergeant Turkich said.

“We have spoken with a number of people who have provided important information to assist this investigation, and I would like to thank them for coming forward.

“Police hope to make arrests in this matter very soon, so I would once again urge any of the people who were travelling in either the Camry or the Genesis that terrible night to come forward before police come knocking on your door.”

Anyone with information that can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7726381. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

Police, emergency services, and ACT Parks and Conservation Service are urging Canberrans to be prepared when setting out in national parks and surrounding bushland during the colder months.

The warning follows three rescues in July from national parks around the ACT requiring the deployment of resources from ACT Policing, AFP Search and Rescue, ACT Ambulance Service, and New South Wales Police.

On 1 July 2024, a 74-year-old man was recovered after he set out on a hike to Mt Tennant in Namadgi National Park but called for assistance after it became dark and he could not find his way along the trail.

The man was found by members of AFP Search and Rescue team and ACT Ambulance Service Remote Access Paramedics about 9pm and was escorted back to his vehicle.

On 14 July 2024, police began a search for two lost dirt bikers in Brindabella National Park after they became stranded on a track. They were able to find phone coverage to call for help and gave police a ‘what3words’ location to assist in their recovery.

The men were found about 9pm by officers from ACT Policing and NSWPF uninjured but cold and fatigued.

About 7pm on Sunday, 28 July 2024, police rural patrol observed a two-wheel drive sedan that had become bogged in snow after coming across a felled tree blocking a trail. A 21-year-old man in the vehicle advised his 22-year-old friend had left on foot to flag down assistance from members of the public.

While police helped clear the tree, the 22-year-old returned to the scene, and police recovered the sedan with the help of another driver.

Senior Constable Angus Fergusson from ACT Policing’s Rural Patrol is reminding the community to think ahead when undertaking recreational activities this winter.

“This most recent incident is particularly concerning, as these young men weren’t dressed appropriately for the conditions, had no warm clothing, food, or equipment with them in case of a situation like the one they found themselves in,” Senior Constable Fergusson said.

“Following these incidents, it’s a timely reminder for anyone planning to head out bush to plan ahead and be prepared.

“The days are shorter so if you are going out, make sure you have plenty of daylight for your return trip. There’s nothing wrong with turning back early and trying again another day.

“We would also urge people to notify someone else in advance of their intended route and expected return time. Mobile phone service can be unreliable, and in the event you are unable to contact emergency services, it is crucial someone else knows where you were heading.”

Anyone intending to head out when cold conditions are forecast are reminded to:

For more safety advice, visit the ACT Parks website.

Source: ACT Police

A 27-year-old Palmerston man has been charged with firearms and driving offences after police conducted a traffic stop yesterday evening.

About 5.10pm last night (Thursday, 1 August 2024) Gungahlin General Duties officers performed a traffic stop on a vehicle in Palmerston.

The male driver was identified to have an outstanding arrest warrant and his licence was suspended. Checks on his vehicle also showed it was unregistered and uninsured.

A subsequent search of the 27-year-old’s vehicle led to police seizing items including two prohibited knives and a number of shotgun cartridges.

Officers then conducted a search of the man’s residence and seized further items including:

The 27-year-old man was charged with multiple firearms and weapons offences, possession of anabolic steroids, driving while suspended, driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle and failing to appear in court after a bail undertaking.

He is expected to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday, 2 August 2024).

ACT Policing is committed to protecting the Canberra community and continues to work to remove prohibited firearms and weapons from the ACT.

Anyone who has any information about prohibited firearms or weapons is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via theCrime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.