ACT records sixth road fatality for 2024

Source: ACT Police

A person has died following a two vehicle collision on Southern Cross Drive, Holt this evening.

About 5.10pm today (Tuesday, 18 June 2024), ACT Policing responded to reports of a collision on Southern Cross Drive between a truck travelling eastbound and a motorcycle travelling westbound, approaching the intersection with Beaurepaire Crescent.

Emergency services treated a person – who was riding the motorcycle – at the scene before they were transported to hospital in a critical condition.

Sadly, they were declared deceased soon after.

The driver of the truck is assisting police with their enquiries.

This is the sixth fatality on ACT roads in 2024.

ACT Policing’s Major Collision Team is investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dash-cam footage of the collision is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote P2263637. Information can be provided anonymously.

City Police Station returns to full staffing

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing’s City Police Station is back to full staffing after the completion of remediation works.

After being closed in March 2024 due to water damage, officers temporarily relocated to the AFP Headquarters in Barton.

The water ingress issues have been resolved and asbestos discovered as part of the repairs have been removed allowing officers to return to the station.

Importantly, the ground floor work areas have been completely refurbished – providing an improved amenity for officers.

Scoping work to determine options to replace ACT Policing’s headquarters and City Police Station continues.

City Police Station continues to be open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Drugs, cash and vehicle seized after warrant executed in Gungahlin

Source: ACT Police

A 21-year-old Gungahlin woman will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning on various charges following a search warrant that was executed in Gungahlin last week.

On Monday, 10 June 2024, police conducted a search warrant at a residence in Gungahlin.

Officers located a trafficable amount of a white crystalline substance suspected to be methylamphetamine, totaling approximately 105 grams with an estimated street value of around $95,400.

Other items were also found including:

  • Steroids
  • Numerous prescription drugs
  • A white powder suspected to be cocaine
  • Materials suspected to be cannabis
  • Fireworks
  • Numerous electronic items
  • Cash totalling more than $31,000 suspected to be the proceeds of crime
  • A white Mercedes Benz A45 suspected to be the proceeds of crime

During the search warrant, police identified multiple locations and items within the residence that are suspected of being designed to conceal evidential material. This includes a sub-wall between rooms that had been expanded to approximately 30cm in width, suspected to eventually be utilised as a concealment location once constructed.

On Saturday, 15 June 2024, police arrested the 21-year-old woman at her residence. She has been charged with trafficking in a controlled drug, possessing anabolic steroids, damaging property, driving while disqualified, and possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime.

Anyone with information about the sale and supply of illicit drugs should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.

Recognise the signs on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is asking Canberrans to keep an eye out for signs of elder abuse in their communities this Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEEAD) is an internationally recognised day that aims to prevent the mistreatment of our elderly.

Elder abuse can take many forms, from financial, emotional, psychological, physical, sexual or social.

It can happen once or it can be reoccurring, and it is typically committed by someone known to the victim.

Signs to look out for include:

  • Unusual activity: more or less visits to the home and signs of anxiety after visitors.

  • Neglect: a usually well-maintained home now looking rundown.

  • Finances: large financial hand-outs, money missing from their home, and elderly being pressured to make withdrawals.

  • Isolation: visitors are not welcome by other family members or carers.

  • Verbal: constant loud yelling or swearing.

  • Physical: unusual or re-occurring injuries.

ACT Policing takes reports of elder abuse seriously, and encourages anyone who is a victim to contact police on 131 444.

Anyone with information about elder abuse happening in the community is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.

17-year-old boy to face court charged with several driving offences

Source: ACT Police

A 17-year-old boy will face the ACT Children’s Court this morning charged with several serious driving offences.

About 1.45am today (Saturday, 15 June 2024), police were travelling along Ginninderra Drive, Florey, when they observed a white Audi A6 travelling at excessive speeds.

The vehicle was then further observed driving erratically in the suburbs of Charnwood, Dunlop, and Flynn.

A short time later, police stationed on Kuringa Drive, Spence were able to successfully deploy a tyre deflation device on the vehicle, however the vehicle still continued along Kuringa Drive.

As a second police patrol were preparing to deploy another tyre deflation device, with police officers situated outside of their vehicle, it is alleged the driver of the Audi made a deliberate turn towards the stationary police car, narrowly missing it and the police officers.

About 2.12am, the vehicle was travelling along Horse Park Drive, Casey when it slowed and came to a stop on the median strip.

At this time, two boys allegedly exited the vehicle and attempted to flee the scene on foot.

Following a short foot pursuit, the 17-year-old boy was apprehended in a nearby street.

He has been charged with driving a motor vehicle without consent, failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, driving a motor vehicle at police, driving while disqualified, and refusing to undergo a screening test. The boy was also subject to a good behaviour order at the time.

The second boy who was observed leaving the scene on foot is yet to be located, and police would ask anyone with information in relation to his identity to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7774898. Information can be provided anonymously.

Traffic disruptions to occur Sunday and Monday

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is alerting Canberrans about planned traffic disruptions on Sunday and Monday.

On Sunday afternoon (16 June 2024) police will be managing the arrival of a guest of the Australian Government. Traffic disruptions will occur between Canberra Airport and the Parliamentary Triangle.

On Monday (17 June 2024), motorcade movements will occur in the Parliamentary precinct extending to Yarralumla, and then to the Canberra Airport.

Protest activity is also expected to occur in the parliamentary precinct.

People travelling to Canberra Airport on Sunday or Monday afternoons should leave with plenty of time to make scheduled flights, as well as factoring in potential delays.

Drivers who find themselves in delayed traffic are reminded to obey the directions of police, and if stopped should not break road rules (including crossing verges, paths or median strips).

Disruptions will be kept to a minimum, however the safety and security of pedestrians, drivers, and visitors remains the priority for ACT Policing.

ACT Policing forms new High-Risk Domestic and Family Violence Investigation Unit

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing’s family and domestic violence response will be enhanced with the creation of a new High-Risk Domestic and Family Violence Investigation Unit.

The existing Family Violence Unit will expand to include officers dedicated to investigating the highest risk family and domestic violence offenders.

The unit will be supported by a coordination team staffed by experienced officers responsible for liaising with victim-survivors and other government partners and developing and implementing training packages.

This will see 23 ACT Policing officers solely dedicated to domestic and family violence incidents in the ACT.

First response to family and domestic violence incidents in the ACT will still be provided by general duties police officers, supported by the coordination team.

Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said the new investigation unit aimed to improve the way domestic and family violence matters were handled by ACT Policing.

“This year alone, police across the territory have responded to almost 2,000 domestic and family violence incidents,” Chief Police Officer Lee said.

“With two teams focusing on the most serious matters, the establishment of the High-Risk Domestic and Family Violence Investigation Unit aims to ease the pressure on general duties police officers and provide our most vulnerable victims with specialised support.”

Minister for the Police and Crime Prevention Mick Gentleman said as family and domestic violence incidents continued to increase, a new way to tackle the problem was required.

“I’m pleased that ACT Policing is continuing to prioritise this serious crime by boosting their existing domestic and family violence response to better support victims and put perpetrators before court,” Minister Gentleman said.

“Every Canberran should feel safe in their own home. But for those who don’t, please know there are support services and a dedicated family violence support team in ACT Policing available to help.”

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

Stolen property recovered and man charged following Gungahlin burglaries

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing has charged a 31-year-old man with several offences and recovered stolen property following a series of burglaries in Gungahlin.

About 6.30pm on Wednesday (26 June 2024), police attended a business premises in Gungahlin that had been burgled however the offender had already fled the scene.

After speaking to witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage, police identified the offender and a 31-year-old man was arrested yesterday (Thursday, 28 June 2024) at a residence in Gungahlin.

Police allege the man is also responsible for stealing items from storage cages and damaging several vehicles in an apartment garage in Palmerston on 26 May 2024.

He has been charged with aggravated burglary, minor theft, property damage, unauthorised entry of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen property.

A number of stolen items, including power tools, electronic devices and personal documents, were recovered.

Some of the stolen items were able to be returned thanks to identifying marks owners had placed on their tools.

If you believe you are the owner of any of the recovered items, and can provide proof of ownership, including serial numbers or other identifying features about the recovered items, please contact police on 131 444, quoting reference number 7784203.

There are also simple steps people can take to make it more difficult to steal items such as tools, and to assist police in returning stolen items.

Ensure tools and other valuable items aren’t left unattended or unsecured, cover your tools with the right insurance, record the make, model, and serial numbers of tools, and keep an inventory of your tools and equipment – these measures will assist police to return your items if they do get stolen.

All tools should also have permanent identifying marks placed on them such as surnames, drivers licence numbers or business names.

Occupants sought following fatal Adelaide Avenue collision

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking to identify two occupants believed to have been present in a vehicle that was involved in a fatal collision on Adelaide Avenue 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 was ejected from the vehicle and was transported to hospital, however he later died from his injuries.

Following extensive investigations by ACT Policing’s Major Collision Team, police are able to confirm that three people are believed to have been in the white Toyota Camry at the time of the collision.

The other two occupants are believed to have climbed out of the badly damaged Camry and were collected by a second vehicle soon after. That vehicle then left the collision scene.

Detective Sergeant Jonathon Turkich from ACT Policing’s Major Collision Team said police are urging these two people who left the scene to come forward.

“To a certain extent, it is understandable that people panic in traumatic situations like this, however I cannot understand how you leave any human being, let alone someone you likely know, on the side of the road critically injured,” Detective Sergeant Turkich said.

“This must be weighing very heavily on the conscience of these two people.

“I would implore them to be brave now and approach police so we can bring some answers to the family and friends of the young man who lost his life.

“It may provide you with the opportunity for some relief and support yourself rather than feeling like you’re looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life.”

Investigators are also asking anyone who has information about the two other occupants, or the second vehicle that arrived at the collision scene to come forward.

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

Police seeking witnesses to two vehicle collision in Higgins

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and dash-cam footage of a black Toyota Hilux that collided with another vehicle in Higgins earlier this month.

About 11.35am on Monday, 3 June 2024, a white Kia Sportage was travelling through the roundabout at the intersection of Belconnen Way and Kingsford Smith Drive.

At this time, the Hilux has failed to yield at the roundabout and collided with the Kia, causing the Kia to spin. The driver of the Hilux continued through the roundabout before leaving the scene without rendering assistance or exchanging details.

Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have dash-cam footage that captures the registration of the Hilux.

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 7765077. Information can be provided anonymously.