Category: MIL-OSI

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking the public’s assistance following instances of copper theft from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) facility adjacent to the Barton Highway.

In two recent incidents at the CSIRO facility (located between Nicholls and Evatt/McKellar) that are believed to have occurred within the last month, the offenders cut live power lines down to obtain copper from them.

In both cases, live electrical wires were left exposed on the ground.

This follows multiple incidents of copper thefts this year, resulting in extensive damage to Commonwealth heritage listed buildings in Lawson.

In incidents between January 2024 to April 2024, a man caused significant damage to a property in Lawson in the process of obtaining the copper.

A 53-year-old Curtin man was charged with multiple offences including five counts of trespassing on prohibited Commonwealth land, four counts of damaging heritage in reserve, four counts of theft, and burglary. He faced the ACT Magistrates Court in May 2024.

In a separate incident in May, police responded to reports of several people unlawfully entering another building in the same facility in Lawson.

Police attended and located two men within the building, with a third man located a short time later hiding within the building.

A fourth man is alleged to have fled the scene in a white Holden ute, despite police directing him to stop. He was later arrested at his residence in Spence.

Four people have been charged in relation to this incident with various offences including aggravated burglary, trespass on prohibited Commonwealth land, theft, damaging Commonwealth property, and failing to stop for police.

Inspector Nigel Booth from Gungahlin Police Station said that these outcomes should serve as a warning to the community as to the repercussions of this crime.

“This is an example of the consequences you can expect to face if you engage in this type of behaviour and damage Commonwealth property,” Inspector Booth said.

“The theft of copper in these instances caused significant damage to heritage listed property, and irreversible damage to the value and history of the buildings.

“We are continuing to investigate the incidents at the CSIRO facility, and urge anyone with information in relation to the identity of these offenders to come forward.

“Concerningly, people have left live wires exposed. These actions are very dangerous as there is enough power in the lines to be fatal if touched.

“Our message to anyone thinking of stealing copper is simple – don’t. We have a number of methods allowing us to disrupt this offending, and to identify and track down those involved.”

Anyone with information in relation to the incidents at the CSIRO facility adjacent to the Barton Highway is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7802133. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and dash-cam footage of a two vehicle collision on Hindmarsh Drive earlier this month.

About 8.10am on Saturday, 10 August 2024, police and emergency services responded to reports of a collision between a blue Kia Cerato and a black Audi A4 at the intersection of Hindmarsh Drive and Athllon Drive, Phillip.

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

Anyone with information that could assist police or 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 7821178.

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.

Yesterday (Sunday, 18 August 2024) police arrested a third man in relation to this incident, who handed himself into City Police Station, and is now assisting with the investigation.

He was charged with aggravated burglary, joint commission intentionally inflict grievous bodily harm, joint commission damage property, and joint commission assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He is the third man to be charged over the incident and investigations into the identity of the fourth man 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.

Source: ACT Police

A 37-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Saturday, 17 August 2024) on drug trafficking charges.

In July 2024, ACT Policing commenced an investigation into drug and prohibited substance trafficking, and the possession of prohibited firearms, which identified the 37-year-old man as a person of interest.

About 4.45am yesterday (Friday, 16 August 2024), police executed a search warrant at the man’s residence in Moncrieff.

During a search of the premises, police located approximately 28 grams of a crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine, approximately 1.4 litres of what is suspected to be liquid methamphetamine, as well as a substantial quantity of crystalline substance, also suspected to be methamphetamine, in the carpet of one of the bedrooms of the residence.

The man was arrested at the Moncrieff residence and was charged with trafficking in a controlled drug other than cannabis. Investigations are ongoing and further charges are anticipated.

If you have any information about the manufacture, distribution, or sale of illicit substances in the community, please report that information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

A 27-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today following a dangerous driving incident yesterday afternoon that resulted in the seizure of firearms.

About midday yesterday (Thursday, 15 August 2024), police had cause to stop a white Ford Falcon utility in Gordon. As police approached the vehicle, it took off.

The Ford was then further observed driving dangerously, including running a red light, in various suburbs throughout Tuggeranong.

Police successfully deployed a tyre deflation device, and the vehicle was found abandoned in Wanniassa a short time later, having collided with a tree.

The man fled the vehicle into the backyard of a nearby home, before he was located with assistance from the community and subsequently arrested.

A bag which was located near the vehicle was searched and found to contain two firearms and ammunition, which were seized by police.

A quantity of substances, believed to be illicit drugs, were located in the vehicle and also seized.

The man has been charged with failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, and two counts of unauthorised possession of a prohibited firearm.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is alerting Canberrans about planned traffic disruptions this evening and tomorrow.

Tonight (Thursday, 15 August 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 after 8pm.

Tomorrow (Friday, 16 August 2024), motorcade movements will occur in the Parliamentary precinct extending to Yarralumla, and then to the Canberra Airport.

People travelling to Canberra Airport on Thursday evening or Friday afternoon 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.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an alleged road rage incident that occurred on Ellenborough Street, Lyneham earlier this week.

About 3.20pm on Monday, 12 August 2024, a silver Ford Falcon station wagon was travelling northbound along Ellenborough Street.

At this time, as the Ford was merging from two lanes into one, the vehicle was struck on the left-hand rear panel by a white Nissan Patrol.

As the Nissan continued to ram the Ford, an item being carried on the roof racks came loose and struck the rear window of the Ford, breaking it.

The driver of the Nissan stopped, however did not exchange any details.

Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have dash-cam footage in the area around the time of the incident or of the alleged altercation.

Anyone with information that can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website, quoting reference number 7823917. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to a serious assault and attempted burglary in Franklin on the weekend that left a man with injuries requiring hospitalisation.

About 2.00am on Sunday (11 August 2024), two men acting suspiciously outside the window of a home in Franklin were confronted by the resident.

The two men then allegedly assaulted the resident with weapons and demanded his car keys.

The assailants fled in a Mitsubishi Lancer which was recovered in Dickson later that day.

The victim was transported to hospital where he received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries received during the assault.

No arrests have been made in connection to the incident and police are appealing for any witnesses 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 7821757. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

A 35-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today after allegedly assaulting another man in an unprovoked attack at a residence in McKellar last week.

About 8.40pm on Tuesday, 6 August 2024, the man is alleged to have entered the victim’s bedroom carrying a wooden hockey stick.

At this time, he allegedly began hitting the victim repeatedly with the hockey stick and threatened to kill him, making demands of the man.

The man sustained serious injuries to his body as a result of the assault.

Yesterday, a search warrant was executed at the 35-year-old’s residence in McKellar, during which police located three wooden hockey sticks, a machete style knife, 12 rounds of ammunition, and two shotgun shells.

He has been charged with four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, reckless threat to kill a person, and contravening the requirements of an order.

Source: ACT Police

A 16-year-old boy will face the ACT Children’s Court today on serious driving charges, including driving at police, following an incident in the Tuggeranong area.

About 1.10pm on Friday, 9 August 2024, police observed a white BMW hatchback, which was reportedly stolen, driving dangerously along Mugga Lane.

Police activated their emergency lights and sirens, causing the BMW to stop. As police came to a stop behind the vehicle, it accelerated away at speed crossing to the wrong side of the road.

A short time later, police received reports that the BMW was conducting burnouts on the Calwell High School sports oval in close proximity to students.

The driver of the vehicle was also reported to be holding what appeared to be a pistol.

About 1.25pm, police observed the BMW in Theodore, and attempted to deploy a tyre deflation device, however the driver of the vehicle rammed a police car in order to evade apprehension.

The vehicle stopped shortly after, and following a short foot pursuit, police located and arrested two teenage boys.

A third boy, the 16-year-old, was last seen running through the grounds of St Francis of Assisi Primary School.

As a precaution, both schools were placed into lockdown.

Over the weekend, police continued their investigation to locate the 16-year-old.

About 4.30am yesterday morning, police were made aware of a burglary at a residence in Deakin, where two vehicles were stolen, one being a silver Volkswagen T-Roc.

Last night, police observed the Volkswagen travelling at excessive speeds throughout the Tuggeranong district.

The vehicle was located a short time later near a residence in Chisholm, and following a short negotiation, the 16-year-old boy was arrested after surrendering himself to police.

He has been charged with failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, unlicenced driver, driving a motor vehicle at police, and breaching a good behaviour order.

Enquiries are ongoing into the reports of a firearm, and police would urge anyone with information relating to this to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7822330.