Car seized from speeding provisional driver

Source: ACT Police

Police have seized the car of a p-plate driver travelling at more than 160km/h on the Tuggeranong Parkway.   

On Tuesday (26 December 2023) ACT Road Policing officers were conducting speed enforcement activities on the Tuggeranong Parkway.  

About 11.55am, they detected a black Ford Falcon sedan travelling at 167km/h in a signposted 90km/h zone.  

The vehicle was stopped by police and a 19-year-old provisional driver was spoken with. His licence was immediately suspended and his vehicle was seized.  

He will face court in 2024, charged with dangerous driving and exceeding the speed limit by greater than 45km/h.  

Police urge all drivers to stick to the speed limit and drive to the conditions. Exceeding the speed limit greatly increases your chances of being involved in a collision and when excessive speed is detected, drivers risk immediate licence suspension and vehicle seizure.

Witnesses sought to furious driving incident on Christmas Day

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and dash-cam footage of a furious driving incident in Taylor on Christmas Day.

About 11.15am on Monday, 25 December 2023,  police allege an incident occurred between a white Mazda CX9 and a green Mazda 3.

The incident, which lasted about 10 minutes, commenced in the vicinity of Ken Herde Crescent, Taylor, and continued throughout several streets in the suburb.

Police allege the CX9 rammed the Mazda 3, causing minor damage, as well as tailgating the Mazda 3, and swerving in front of it before braking heavily.

The incident was reported to police about 12.45pm, and the driver of the CX9 – a 39-year-old Dunlop woman, was subsequently arrested and charged with furious driving.

Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident between to two vehicles, or who may have dash-cam footage of the incident.

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 7629312. Information can be provided anonymously.

Police catch drivers behaving badly over Christmas period

Source: ACT Police

Drivers have come to police attention for poor driver behaviour over the Christmas period, including two p-plate drivers caught driving at excessive speed.

About 8.10pm on Sunday, 24 December 2023, police were conducting speed enforcement on the Majura Parkway when they detected a red Mazda 3 travelling at 137km/h in the sign posted 100km/h zone.

Police stopped the vehicle and the driver, a 17-year-old boy from Gungahlin who was driving on his provisional licence, was issued with an infringement notice for exceeding the speed limit by greater than 30km/h but not more than 45km/h. This offence attracts a fine of $700 and eight demerit points, resulting in a loss of licence. The driver was also issued an infringement notice for not displaying ‘P’ plates, which carries a further penalty of $213.

A short time later, about 8.40pm, police were conducting further speed enforcement on Horse Park Drive, Throsby when they detected a white Honda sedan travelling at 137km/h in the sign posted 80km/h zone.

The driver, a 19-year-old Crace man driving on his ‘Ps’, was issued an Immediate Suspension Notice (ISN), suspending his licence for 90 days for exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h. He will also receive a fine of $1841.00.

In a further incident, about 8.10pm on Saturday, 23 December, police observed a silver Mercedes sedan allegedly being driven displaying stolen Queensland registration plates on Gungahlin Drive, Kaleen.

Police caused the vehicle to stop, and spoke with the driver, a 32-year-old Coombs man, who was allegedly driving on a suspended learner licence. Subsequent checks on the vehicle found it was unregistered and uninsured, while the driver also allegedly returned a positive roadside drug screening.

The man was arrested, and will face the ACT Magistrates Court at a later date for offences including drug driving , possession of stolen property, displaying incorrect registration plates, using an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, and being a suspended driver.

Police will be out in force on the roads in the lead-up to New Year’s Eve, and would like to remind the community that double demerits remain in place until 11.59pm on Monday, 1 January 2024.

Man charged after stolen property recovered from Gungahlin burglaries

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing has charged a man who allegedly committed several burglaries in the Gungahlin area over the Christmas and New Year period.

On 2 January 2024, officers executed a search warrant at an address in Gungahlin, seizing more than 100 items believed to be stolen property. Further information about the recovered items can be found here.

Enquiries identified an address of interest and yesterday (Tuesday, 9 January 2024) police executed a search warrant at an address in Coombs.

There, officers located a 22-year-old man believed to be responsible for the string of burglaries.

The man was charged with taking a motor vehicle without consent, driving a stolen motor vehicle, obtaining property by deception and unlawfully possessing stolen property. He is due to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court today.

Anyone with information in relation to burglaries in Gungahlin, or who may have CCTV footage of persons acting suspiciously around homes or vehicles in the area in the Christmas/New Year period is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7636511. Information can be provided anonymously.

Man caught drink driving while more than three times over the legal limit

Source: ACT Police

Police have charged a man with drink driving, theft, and indecent exposure following a series of incidents in Wanniassa yesterday (Monday, 8 January 2024).

Over several hours on Monday morning, police allege the 62-year-old Kambah man was verbally abusive toward staff at several stores, stole alcohol from one and indecently exposed himself in another.

After reports to police, he was located driving along Bissenburger Crescent shortly after leaving the bottle shop. He was pulled over and breathalysed where he returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.180.

He is due to face ACT Magistrates Court this morning charged with minor theft, driving a motor vehicle with alcohol in blood and indecent exposure.

Busy Summernats weekend for ACT Policing

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing was kept busy over the weekend at Summernats with several vehicles seized and multiple instances of hoon driving behaviour.

The Summernats 36th event was held from Thursday, 4 January 2024 until Sunday, 7 January 2024.

Over the course of the four days, ACT Policing conducted high-visibility patrols both in and around the event.

In one incident which occurred about 4pm on Saturday (6 January 2024), a drone operated by AFP’s Air Support Team observed a black Holden Commodore conduct a burnout just metres from pedestrians on Flemington Road.

Shortly after, police spoke to the driver in nearby Mitchell where it was identified that the 22-year-old man had two children and two adult passengers in the vehicle at the time of the offence.

The 22-year-old Macquarie man was issued with an Immediate Suspension Notice, suspending his right to drive in the ACT for three months. His Holden Commodore was also seized.

The man will be summonsed to face court at a later date, where he is expected to face charges including dangerous driving, drive unsafely maintained vehicle, plates not properly issued, proceed through red light and speeding.

In addition to this incident, a number of other drivers came to police attention throughout the weekend for hoon driving and anti-social behaviour.

Two arrests were made on Saturday (6 January 2024) in relation to anti-social behaviour at the event, and a total of 13 vehicles were seized by police across the four days.

ACT Policing Acting Superintendent Rod Anderson expressed his disappointment towards those that engaged in hoon driving and anti-social behaviour.

“Unfortunately, police responded to several incidents of dangerous driving and general anti-social behaviour across the weekend,” Acting Superintendent Anderson said.

“This type of behaviour on our roads placed other road users and pedestrians at significant risk.

“As a result, police seized several vehicles across the four days and issued numerous defect notices.

“Anti-social behaviour was also prevalent, with police responding to various instances of fighting and general non-compliance from large crowds both inside and outside the event.

“It was really disappointing to see how many people engaged in this type of behaviour, with no regard for others that were there to enjoy the event.”

Witnesses sought to assault in Braddon

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an alleged assault that occurred inside a pub on Lonsdale Street, Braddon this morning.

About 1.10am today (Sunday, 7 January 2024) police responded to reports of two patrons that were allegedly assaulting a security guard.

Two men involved in the alleged assault have been identified and are assisting police with enquiries.

Police have already spoken to some witnesses, however would urge anyone else who witnessed the incident who have not yet spoken to police to come forward.

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 7640217. Information can be provided anonymously.

Cash seized following investigation into drug importation

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing has seized more than $120,000 in cash and charged a Gowrie man following search warrant activity yesterday.

In early December 2023, ACT Policing’s Drugs and Organised Crime Team commenced an investigation into the alleged importation from the USA of a significant amount of drugs destined for the ACT.

Yesterday (Friday, 5 January 2024) ACT Policing executed search warrants at an automotive business in Fyshwick and a residence in Gowrie.

At the Gowrie residence, police located and seized more than $120,000 in cash, and approximately 243 grams of cannabis.

The 43-year-old Gowrie man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today charged with possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of crime and possess cannabis.

Investigations into the drug importation are continuing with further search warrants expected to be conducted in the ACT and surrounding district.

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

Stolen property recovered following Gungahlin burglaries

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing has recovered a large amount of suspected stolen property following search warrant activity this week.

About 10.40pm on Tuesday, 2 January 2023, general duties members from Gungahlin Police Station executed a search warrant at a residence in Gungahlin.

During the search, police recovered items suspected of being stolen, including a Japanese ceremonial sword, a PlayStation 5, jewelry and watches, tools, designer handbags, electronic devices including mobile phones and tablets, and numerous stolen identity and bank cards.

The items are believed to have been stolen from other residences and during other property crimes in Gungahlin across the Christmas/New Year period.

No arrests have been made in relation to these burglaries, however investigations are ongoing and charges are anticipated.

Police believe that the burglaries were committed by offenders accessing residences via unlocked doors, and would like to remind the community to securely lock properties and vehicles, even when at home.

Anyone with information in relation to burglaries in Gungahlin, or who may have CCTV footage of persons acting suspiciously around homes or vehicles in the area in the Christmas/New Year period is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via theCrime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7636511. Information can be provided anonymously.

Police renew appeal for information about missing woman Laura Haworth

Source: ACT Police

Sixteen years after Laura Haworth went missing during a Summernats weekend, ACT Policing is issuing a renewed call to the Canberra community and surrounding districts for information.

Laura was last seen at her friend’s house on Collett Street in Queanbeyan on Saturday, 5 January 2008. Laura left in her red Mazda 121 and has not made any contact with family or friends since.

Laura’s Mazda was later located in Reid, ACT. Despite a significant search of the area, Laura was not located.

Detective Senior Constable Shannon Pugsley from ACT Policing’s Criminal Investigations urged anyone who has information surrounding Laura’s disappearance, including those who were visiting from interstate for Summernats 21, to come forward and speak to investigators.

“We believe there are people in the community and surrounding areas that have information about Laura and her movements that weekend in January 2008,” Detective Senior Constable Pugsley said.

“Given Summernats was also taking place in Canberra at the time Laura was last seen, there may be people who were visiting from interstate who may have information.

“We are appealing to those people to come forward to assist in the investigation, and in turn Laura’s family.

“Any piece of information, no matter how small, could be of importance to investigators.”

Laura’s family have shared the following statement:

16 years ago today, our lives changed unexpectedly. Our beautiful Laura disappeared. Laura is a mother, a daughter, a sister and a friend and we ache to know what has happened to her.   

Any information you, or anyone you know has, will help piece this puzzle together.     

Every day we live with what ifs, whys, and maybes. The pain of not knowing what has happened to Laura is brutal and has a huge impact on our daily lives. 

Laura‘s family thank those who have already provided information and encourage anyone else with information to report it to Crime Stoppers.  

With your help, we will get the answers. 

With your help, we will find out what has happened to Laura. Please help us find the answers. If you or anyone you know has any information, please contact Crime Stoppers. 

Laura we love you and miss you. You have a loving family waiting for news, please, please be in touch. 

ENDS

Anyone with information about Laura’s disappearance should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website, quoting reference number 3719859. Information can be provided anonymously.