Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an arson attack that occurred at a barber shop in Gungahlin over the weekend.

About 11.40pm on Saturday, 6 July 2024, police received reports that two people had attended the barber shop on Hibberson Street, Gungahlin on push bikes and broken into the store.

The pair are believed to have smashed the glass front door to the premises, before entering, spreading an accelerant throughout the premises, and ignited it.

In the process of spreading the accelerant, one of the offenders has inadvertently set themselves alight. This was quickly extinguished by the other offender.

The offenders then fled the scene on bikes in the direction of Gungahlin Place prior to police arriving at the scene.

While the fire suppression system quickly contained the fire, the premises sustained significant damage.

Police have already spoken to a number of witnesses, however would still like to speak to anyone else who witnessed the incident who has not yet spoken to police. This includes anyone with knowledge of a person incurring burns to their body and/or clothing over the weekend.

Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via theCrime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 7792682. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is reminding drivers there is no valid reason for speeding after two motorists were caught travelling at high speeds earlier in the week.

About 5.25pm on Wednesday 3 July 2024, police detected a motorcycle travelling westbound on Isabella Drive, Gilmore at a speed of 151km/h in a sign posted 80km/h zone.

Police stopped the motorcycle, where the rider – a 46-year-old Bonython man – allegedly told police he was speeding to try and get away from a vehicle behind him.

About 12.30am on Thursday, 4 July, police observed a dark coloured BMW sedan travelling south bound on the Monaro Highway, Fyshwick.

The BMW was detected travelling at 142km/h in a sign posted 90km/h speed zone. The driver was a 21-year-old man from Jerrabomberra, NSW.

Both men were issued with Immediate Suspension Notices, suspending their right to drive/ride in the ACT for 90 days. They were also issued with Traffic Infringement Notices for $1841 and six demerit points.

Superintendent of Road and Proactive Policing, Brian Diplock said incidents like this remain a constant frustration for police.

“The speeds involved in these incidents could have led to tragic consequences, not just for the driver and rider involved, but for others out on our roads too,” Superintendent Diplock said.

“The ACT has had six fatalities already this year, and we don’t want to see any more based on the needless, risky behaviour of drivers.”

Earlier this week, police also issued Traffic Infringement Notices to three P-plate drivers for exceeding the speed limit by more than 20km/h.

Source: ACT Police

Updated at 4.30pm, Monday 8 July 2024

An additional charge of attempted murder has been laid today (Monday 8 July, 2024) in relation to this incident. The member appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court today, and is next scheduled to appear before court on 23 July 2024.

The member has been suspended from duty.

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An AFP employee will appear before the ACT Magistrates Court today (6 July, 2024), charged with intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm and aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to sections 19(1) and 24(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (ACT).

The employee was charged by ACT Policing on 6 July 2024 following an incident in Gungahlin last night (Friday, 5 July 2024).

The AFP is committed to transparency.

No further comment will be made.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and dash-cam footage of a two-vehicle collision on Drakeford Drive yesterday morning.

About 7am (Thursday, 4 July 2024), a silver Toyota Hilux collided with a white Hyundai i30 at the intersection of Athllon Drive and Drakeford Drive, Wanniassa.

Police attended the scene and spoke to the drivers but would also like to speak to other witnesses.

Anyone with information that could assist police or anyone who may have dash-cam footage of the incident, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7790316. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

A 34-year-old woman from Forrest will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday, 5 July 2024) charged with a number of family violence offences.

Police allege that about 11.40am on Sunday, 30 June 2024, the woman drove at her ex-partner, his sister, and two young children as they crossed Murray Crescent, Manuka in a deliberate attempt to strike them with her vehicle.

It is further alleged that the woman also breached a family violence order by interacting with her ex-partner and his sister the same location about 12.40pm later that day – during which the woman is alleged to have been using her mobile phone to film while driving – and at a Manuka supermarket about 4pm on Monday, 1 July.

The interactions were reported to police, who attended a Forrest residence about 3pm on Thursday, 4 July where the woman was arrested.

She has been charged with nine offences – three counts of use offensive weapon-dangerous to a person (family violence), two counts of contravention of a family violence order, two counts of aggravated stalking (family violence), and single counts of dangerous driving and using a mobile phone while driving.

If you are a victim of family or sexual violence, or believe someone you know is, 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

Source: ACT Police

An 18-year-old NSW man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today after allegedly taking part in a violent home invasion where the residents were stabbed several times.

About 8am on Saturday, 4 May 2024, a woman answered the door of her home in Conder when a man allegedly pushed his way inside and stabbed her.

The man and three other men then allegedly assaulted the male occupant, stabbing him as well.

ACT Policing Major Crime Squad detectives, with assistance from officers from NSW Police Force Mount Druitt Local Area Command detectives, arrested the 18-year-old man yesterday (Tuesday, 2 July 2024) in Shalvey. He was subsequently extradited to face court in the ACT today.

He is the second man to be charged over the incident and investigations into the identities of the other men involved are continuing.

Anyone who has information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7740305. Information can be provided anonymously.

For journalists: Broadcast quality video of this incident can be downloaded from Hightail.

Source: ACT Police

A 31-year-old Curtin man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Monday, 1 July 2024) charged over a robbery at a Lyneham pub over the weekend.

About 9.40pm on Saturday, 29 June 2024, the man and another man attended the pub, located on Mouat Street, before leaving the location about 10.30pm.

The 31-year-old man has subsequently returned to the pub about 12.15am on Sunday, 30 June, allegedly producing a knife, demanding money, and threatening staff. The man then fled the location with a sum of cash.

Police attended, and reviewed CCTV footage from the pub, which showed the alleged offender wearing the same clothes as when he had attended the pub earlier on Saturday evening. Staff from the pub were also able to identify the man following interactions earlier in the evening.

About 10.40pm on Sunday, 30 June, police attended a residence in Curtin, where the man was arrested.

He has been charged with aggravated robbery (offensive weapon), aggravated burglary (intent to commit theft).

Source: ACT Police

Updated 11.15am, Monday 8 July 2024

ACT Policing is releasing a further CCTV image to identify an offender in relation to targeted property damage incidents in Isaacs.

Following the previous call for information on Saturday, 29 June, later that evening a person attended the Isaacs residence and allegedly damaged CCTV cameras. The person was confronted by the resident, however fled the scene on foot before police arrived.

Police believe this person is responsible for the previous property damage incidents at the home.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has noticed suspicious activity in Isaacs on the evening of 29 June 2024, including seeing a person wearing a poncho or long rain jacket, or who may have any information regarding these incidents.

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ACT Policing is investigating a series of targeted property damage incidents in Isaacs.

Since December 2023, a residence in Isaacs has been subject to multiple property damage matters.

The incidents include cutting into the property’s power box, CCTV cameras being pulled down, poison being spread on the front lawn and security doors being damaged with a star picket. Gas supply infrastructure has also been interfered with.

These and other incidents have all been committed at the one residence, and police believe they are targeted and linked.

Police are releasing two images relating to the incidents where the person is clearly making attempts to conceal their identity.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has noticed suspicious activity in Isaacs since December 2023, or who may have any information regarding these incidents.

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 number 7753141. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking the public’s assistance to identify those responsible for the theft of the Sir Jospeh Banks memorial sculpture at the Australian National Botanic Gardens earlier this week.

Between 3pm and 3.25pm on Tuesday, 25 June 2024, the sculpture was taken from its plinth near the garden’s information kiosk.

The sculpture is made of brass, weighs approximately 25kgs and would not be easily concealed.

Police believe visitors to the gardens may have unknowingly captured the offenders in photos or videos and are urging anyone who was in the Botanic Gardens on Tuesday afternoon to review any pictures or dash-cam footage they may have taken. Police would also like to speak to anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the gardens on Tuesday, 25 June.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7783368. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses after a police vehicle was deliberately rammed by a white Toyota Prado 4WD yesterday in Waramanga.

Police first noticed the white Prado driving erratically at about 3.15pm yesterday (Monday, 15 July 2024) in Stirling before it was later sighted in Coombs and again in Weston. The vehicle was observed to be speeding, driving across greenbelt areas and ignoring intersections and police directions to stop.

About 3.35pm the Prado was sighted by police entering onto Hindmarsh Drive from Larakia Street, Waramanga where it immediately crossed all three lanes and drove onto the footpath. Two officers attempted to stop the driver of the Prado including using a taser through the open driver’s side window. These attempts were unsuccessful.

A marked police vehicle was positioned across Hindmarsh Drive to stop traffic and ensure the safety of the public. The Prado then reversed at speed, ramming into the front of the police vehicle. The Prado left the scene at speed, along a footpath towards McInnes Street.

Last night at 10.45pm, the Toyota Prado was located in Lyons on fire. It was extinguished by ACT Fire and Rescue.

Police are seeking any witnesses to yesterday’s incident, including any dashcam footage of the white Toyota Prado, between 3.00pm yesterday and 10.45pm last night.

Anyone who can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7799654. Information can be provided anonymously.