Category: MIL-OSI

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.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is disappointed in driver behaviour within school zones following too many drivers caught speeding in school zones this year.

In recent weeks, multiple drivers have come to police attention for speeding in school zones. Police have also received a number of complaints from concerned members of school communities who have noticed a rise in poor driver behaviour.

Within the first five weeks of the school term this year, 52 drivers had been detected by police for speeding in school zones, with 40 of those issued with traffic infringement notices, and 12 issued with cautions.

In addition to this, in the same timeframe, 961 drivers had been detected speeding by ACT Government mobile speed vans.

Officer in Charge of Road Policing, Acting Inspector Mark Richardson, expressed his disappointment in these figures.

“To have 1000 drivers detected speeding in school zones in such a short period of time is incredibly concerning,” said Acting Inspector Richardson.

“It is important to remember that children, especially young primary school children, are some of our most vulnerable road users. Parents and their children can be using these school zones throughout the day, not just in the morning but for afternoon pick up as well. Young children may also be less aware of the dangers that crossing the road can pose.

“We are imploring to Canberra drivers to slow down, the 40km/h speed limit is in place for good reason, as it gives motorists extra time to stop in an unexpected situation.

“If everyone abides by the road rules and takes a few extra seconds when driving through school zones, children will arrive and leave school safely.

“We are asking all drivers to consider the tragic consequences that can occur if while speeding, you hit a child with your vehicle. No doubt some of the 1000 drivers caught speeding would have children of their own at school and would expect other drivers to proceed safely through those school zones.”

This week, members from ACT Road Policing will be out across the ACT, conducting speed enforcement activity at multiple schools.

Source: ACT Police

A 19-year-old Bonython man is due to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court today following a police pursuit that ended in Queanbeyan.

About 9.15pm yesterday (Friday, 8 March 2024), ACT Policing was notified by New South Wales Police of a Ford Falcon doing burnouts on Lanyon Drive in Queanbeyan. 

Shortly after, police observed the vehicle on the Monaro Highway and followed it in an unmarked police car. During this time, police observed the driver of the vehicle driving dangerously and erratically, exceeding the posted speed limit and weaving between other cars with their headlights turned off. 

Police attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the driver failed to stop, and police initiated a pursuit. The vehicle stopped at a dead-end residential street in Queanbeyan and five occupants fled the scene on foot. Two passengers were apprehended and spoken to by police, and the driver of the vehicle was arrested in Bonython later that evening. 

He was charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, speeding, improper use of a motor vehicle, driving while suspended and driving an unregistered vehicle.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES 

POLICE MEDIA — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au 

Source: ACT Police

Two teenage boys are due to face the ACT Children’s Court today after an aggravated robbery at a store in Conder overnight.

Shortly before 10pm yesterday (Friday, 8 March 2024), two assailants armed with knives entered a pizza shop and demanded money from the staff.

The staff complied with the demands and the assailants fled the scene in a silver Nissan Qashqai.

Police later observed the vehicle in Bonython, which was reported as stolen several days earlier. Officers conducted a search of a nearby home, locating several items of interest including clothing matching the CCTV footage from the store and two bags bearing the store’s logo.

Officers arrested a 16-year-old boy who lived at the home and after further reviewing the CCTV footage, arrested a 17-year-old boy who was also at the Bonython residence that evening.

Police will allege the two attended the store and used weapons to threaten staff, making off with several hundred dollars in cash.

Both have been charged with joint commission of an aggravated robbery and possessing an offensive weapon with intent.