Category: MIL-OSI

Source: ACT Police

A 33-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday, 10 May 2024) charged with property deception offences following investigations into a rental scam.

Between February and April 2018, police allege the man, who is believed to have been posing as a rental agent at the time, took receipt of payments from a number of people to secure rental properties.

These payments totaled more than $65,000.

The matter was reported to police in late April, 2018 with the victims alleging the man never secured the properties and ignored requests to refund the money, except for one instance where one victim is believed to have been refunded $2,210.

Police commenced an investigation, which identified the 33-year-old man as the alleged offender and later checks confirmed he had departed Australia.

Recently, it was confirmed the man had returned to Australia and, on 1 May 2024, he was arrested in Queensland by QLD Police Service members on an ACT arrest warrant. He was bailed by the QLD Magistrates Court the following day after surrendering his passports under instructions to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today.

He has been charged with seven offences – five counts of obtain property by deception, as well as single counts of use false document, and pass valueless cheque.

If you have been the victim of a rental scam, we would encourage you to make a report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is warning Canberrans of a current scam where people are claiming to be arborists or gardeners and then seeking payment for work not requested or authorised.

Police have received recent reports of groups of workers (generally of Pacific Islander appearance) trimming trees or vegetation on properties and then demanding payment from the residents. In some cases they speak with the resident first, incorrectly advising they have been asked by Evo Energy or the ACT Government to conduct the work.

In one instance, the group re-targeted an elderly woman over several days, taking her to a bank daily so she could withdraw more money to pay them.

The group may be driving a black utility with a silver tray and have been targeting residents across Canberra.

ACT Policing is investigating this group and is calling on the community to be aware of this scam.

People are also asked to reach out to elderly or vulnerable neighbours, friends and family members, especially if they live alone, and make them aware of the scam.

Scammers will often re-target victims knowing that they can get more money out of them.

If you are unexpectedly approached by people who can provide no identification and are aggressive or demanding, and you feel unsafe, do not provide any personal details and contact police on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

For more information about scams, visit www.scamwatch.gov.au or call 1300 795 995. If you’ve been defrauded by this group, you can report it to ACT Policing on 131 444.

Evo Energy provides a list of accredited arborists on its website.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing has seized drugs and other items following a series of warrants in Tuggeranong targeting the illegal cultivation of cannabis.

Between 17 April and 3 May 2024, Tuggeranong Police Station members conducted warrants at residences in Theodore, Monash, Richardson, and Isabella Plains.

As a result of these warrants, police seized more than 65 cannabis plants, 35-45 kilograms of cannabis crops (harvested/drying), 200 grams of dried cannabis, approximately five grams of cannabis seed, 20-30 heat lamps, and 10 clip seal bags containing a white substance believed to be illicit drugs.

At this stage no arrests have been made, however investigations are continuing and charges are expected to be laid.

Officer in Charge of Tuggeranong Police Station, Inspector Rod Anderson, said these results presented an opportunity to remind the community about the ACT laws regarding personal cannabis possession.

While possessing small amounts of cannabis, as well as having two plants in a residence for personal use, has been decriminalised, growing and harvesting amounts of this nature remains a serious criminal offence, Inspector Anderson said.

ACT Policing will continue to target the manufacture, sale, and distribution of illicit drugs in our community. If you are engaging in this activity, expect police to be knocking on your door before too long.

If you have information regarding the manufacture or sale of drugs in the community, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

A 29-year-old Franklin man has been charged with 12 offences including threat to kill following an incident in O’Connor and Lyneham yesterday (Thursday, 9 May 2024).

He has been charged with two counts of attempted aggravated robbery (offensive weapon), two counts of demands accompanied by threat, two counts of fail to stop for police, and single counts of reckless threat to kill, property damage, minor theft, dangerous driving, drug driving, and drug possession.

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ACT Policing has arrested a 29-year-old Franklin man following a weapon and pursuit incident earlier today.

About 12pm today (Thursday, 9 May 2024), police allege the man, who was driving a dark grey Ford Ranger utility, drove into the driveway of a home in O’Connor a number of times and allegedly threatened a resident. At this time, the resident observed what appeared to be a weapon in the man’s lap.

About 12.05pm, police allege the same man drove onto a nearby construction site, before threatening another man with the weapon, damaging property, and stealing two mobile phones from a vehicle.

Police attended the area and commenced a search for the man and vehicle, which was seen travelling north on Northbourne Avenue, Turner about 12.40pm.

The Ford Ranger was subsequently pursued by police, utilising both marked and unmarked vehicles, through O’Connor, and Lyneham. However, the pursuit was terminated when the Ranger allegedly sped through a school zone.

The vehicle was then located in Lyneham, where police re-engaged with it, before it collided with an unmarked police vehicle near the intersection of Wattle Street and Brigalow Street, Lyneham about 1.15pm.

The man was arrested at the scene and is expected to be charged with various offences relating to the incident.

Anyone who witnessed these incidents, who may have interacted with the man, or who may have dash-cam footage of the Ford Ranger being driven in and around the inner north earlier today is urged to contact Crime Stoppers, quoting reference 7744434. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing has expanded the capabilities of its online reporting portal to now include evidence upload of dangerous driving.

Members of the public who capture dash-cam or mobile phone footage of driving offences, including dangerous driving, road rage, careless driving, mobile phone, red light, and seatbelt offences can now upload that footage directly to the ACT Policing online reporting portal.

Dangerous driving is the latest crime type to feature on the online reporting portal, with historic sexual assaults, petrol drive offs, and property damage/vandalism incidents already featured.

Importantly, online reporting of dangerous driving is an additional method of reporting, which will complement existing ACT Policing channels. People can still report these matters to Crime Stoppers, the police assistance line (131 444) or by attending a police station. In an emergency or life-threatening situation, always call Triple Zero (000).

ACT Policing Superintendent Brian Diplock said reporting dangerous driving incidents online would streamline the process for the public.

“Previously, members of the public would need to physically attend a police station with a memory stick or similar to provide police with vision or images of offences,” Superintendent Diplock said.

“Adding dangerous driving to our online portal makes reporting these incidents far easier for the public, but also for police, freeing up officers in stations to respond to more time-critical matters. This will see positive flow on effects for the community.

“Police often say we can be anywhere, at any time, but with online reporting, this now means anyone who safely films illegal driving activity can quickly and easily upload it to our online portal, potentially contributing to greater accountability for Canberra drivers.

“One point to emphasise though – if it’s happened, report online; if it’s happening, call 131 444, or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.”

To complete the online form, you must be able to provide video or photographic evidence of the driving offence you witnessed when requested by ACT Policing. You may also be required to provide a formal witness statement to police and attend court as a witness to confirm the information provided in your witness statement.

Police will support witnesses through the court process, noting that many matters are dealt with by police without proceeding to court.

ACT Policing’s online services portal can be accessed here.

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.