Witnesses sought to car fire in Wright

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Monday, 6 January 2025 2:21pm

Original publication: Monday, 6 January 2025 2:21pm

ACT Policing is seeking information and witnesses to a car fire on Steve Irwin Avenue, Wright last month.

About 2.30pm on Tuesday, 31 December (2024), ACT Fire & Rescue and police responded to reports of a car that was on fire in an underground carpark, next to the metro Woolworths in Wright.

The car, a blue Mazda 3, is believed to have been deliberately set on fire.

Witnesses reported seeing two young males, one who was wearing a white shirt and the other who was riding a scooter, fleeing the scene towards Gornall Street, Wright.

ACT Policing is asking residents in Wright to check CCTV and dashcams from last Tuesday afternoon for footage of any suspicious people or activity.

Anyone with information that can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7940192. Information can be provided anonymously.

Can you identify this woman?

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Monday, 6 January 2025 8:29am

Original publication: Monday, 6 January 2025 8:29am

ACT Policing is seeking the public’s assistance to identify a woman who allegedly assaulted a worker and stole items from Bunnings Belconnen last month.

About 7.30pm on Sunday 22 December (2024), a woman allegedly entered Bunnings Belconnen and attempted to take a boxed Ryobi kit. When confronted by staff, the woman engaged in a physical altercation and allegedly spat on an employee.

The woman then left the store carrying the item she did not pay for.

ACT Policing is today releasing CCTV footage to assist in identifying the woman involved in the incident.

If you know who the woman in the footage is, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppers.com.au quoting reference 7932981. Information can be provided anonymously.

Witnesses and footage sought following Friday traffic incident

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Sunday, 5 January 2025 9:59am

Original publication: Sunday, 5 January 2025 9:59am

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and dashcam footage of an incident involving a black Mazda SUV and a traffic controller working as part of Summernats near EPIC.

About 12:30pm on Friday (3 January 2025) police were called to the intersection of Northbourne Avenue and Flemington Road after reports that a driver of a black Mazda SUV allegedly drove at a traffic controller conducting duties for Summernats.

The Mazda is believed to have driven down the bike lane prior to traffic control members attempting to re-direct it into the queue of traffic. An argument occurred between traffic controllers and the driver of the Mazda, and it’s alleged the driver has then driven at a traffic controller before coming to a stop.

The driver of the Mazda was subsequently arrested and will face court at a later date.

At the time of the incident, there was a large queue of traffic and members of the public were observed filming the incident.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has footage of the incident, to come forward.

Anyone who can assist ACT Policing is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7942928.

Police seeking dashcam footage from Tuggeranong Parkway

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Friday, 3 January 2025 10:35am

Original publication: Friday, 3 January 2025 10:35am

ACT Policing is seeking dashcam footage following an incident on the Tuggeranong Parkway last night.

About 9.15pm (Thursday, 2 January 2025) a dark grey or black hatchback was sighted by police driving erratically and at significant speed in the southbound lanes of the Tuggeranong Parkway heading towards Kambah.

The hatchback was not pursued due to the risk posed to other road users and police are now seeking community assistance to identify the vehicle and driver.

Anyone with dashcam footage of the dark hatchback on the Tuggeranong Parkway at approximately 9.15pm last night is urged to contact police.

Those who can assist should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.  Please quote 7942457. Information can be provided anonymously.

Driver tests positive to cocaine on New Year’s Day

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Thursday, 2 January 2025 8:25am

Original publication: Thursday, 2 January 2025 8:25am

A 19-year-old man will be charged after allegedly driving under the influence of cocaine on New Year’s Day.

About 8am yesterday morning (Wednesday, 1 January 2025), police conducting random drug and alcohol testing on Fairbairn Avenue in Campbell stopped a Mitsubishi Magna.

The man, who was on a provisional licence, underwent a roadside drug test that returned a positive result for cocaine.

He was taken to City Police Station where a secondary test also returned a positive result to cocaine.

The man was issued with a court attendance notice and is expected to face court at a later date.

From 1 January 2025, police have been able to test for the presence of cocaine in a driver’s system. Each roadside drug test is now able to detect cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine.

While penalties for possession of certain illicit drugs have changed and cannabis possession has been decriminalised – it remains an offence to have any of those drugs present in your system while driving.

ACT Policing reminds the community that driving with alcohol or drugs in your system is not worth the risk you pose to yourself and others around you.

Police call for best behaviour on New Year’s Eve

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Tuesday, 31 December 2024 7:49am

Original publication: Tuesday, 31 December 2024 7:49am

ACT Policing is reminding Canberrans to be on their best behaviour ahead of New Year’s celebrations in the city.

Thousands of people are expected at the New Year’s Eve celebrations around Lake Burley Griffin tonight and police will be conducting proactive patrols of the precinct to ensure community safety.

Several roads in the area will be closed, including the Commonwealth Avenue bridge during the fireworks displays at 9pm and midnight.

ACT Policing Detective acting Superintendent Brett Coutts said while crowds were generally well behaved in previous years, police would be keeping an eye out for illegal or anti-social behaviour.

“If you are going to drink alcohol, then do so in moderation and don’t drive. Police are targeting impaired driving across the territory so don’t start off your new year by placing yourself and other road users at serious risk,” Det. a/Supt. Coutts said.

“Drones are not permitted to be flown around the lake so leave it at home, and once the fireworks are over, please be patient when leaving.”

“We want everyone to have a good time, so help us and your fellow revelers by staying safe and making smart decisions.”

Man charged following family violence assault

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Wednesday, 15 January 2025 9:56am

Original publication: Wednesday, 15 January 2025 9:56am

A 24-year-old man will face court after allegedly assaulting his partner with a weapon and hot water on the weekend.

About 8am on Saturday (11 January 2025), the man and his partner got into an argument at their residence in Richardson.

Police allege he then assaulted her using a frying pan and used a hammer to damage items in the home, as well as forcing her to the ground and strangling her.

He then poured hot water on her and the woman attempted to leave the residence with a young child, but he allegedly threatened her dog.

The incident was reported to police the same day and after allegedly evading police, about 8.30pm last night (Tuesday, 14 January 2025), the man attended Tuggeranong Police Station where he was arrested.

He has been charged with family violence offences including two counts of aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of aggravated common assault, and choking, suffocating or strangling another person.

ACT Policing stands ready to assist victims experiencing family violence.

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.

Almost 100 impaired drivers detected in December

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Monday, 17 February 2025 6:33pm

Original publication: Wednesday, 15 January 2025 1:20pm

Almost 100 drivers were detected drink and drug driving throughout December during ACT Policing’s month of targeting impaired drivers.

In December (2024) officers from Road Policing and General Duties officers from all five stations targeted impaired drivers across the ACT.

More than 17,000 random breath and drug tests were conducted, with 98 drivers detected under the influence of alcohol or with drugs in their system.

Of the 98 impaired drivers, some of the incidents included:

  • A 31-year-old woman, who was an unaccompanied L-plater and therefore subject to a zero alcohol limit, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.169.
  • A 28-year-old man, who was observed to be travelling in excess of the speed limit, swerving over the road, and mounting the curb of a roundabout, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.227.
  • A 25-year-old man, who was a P-plater and therefore subject to a zero alcohol limit, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.195.
  • A 28-year-old man, who was involved in a single vehicle collision after hitting a curb, driving through a fence, and coming to a stop in the grassland, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.134.
  • A 39-year-old woman, who was a disqualified driver, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.295.
  • A 31-year-old man, who was an international licence holder and therefore subject to a zero alcohol limit, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.255.
  • A 32-year-old man, who was observed swerving in and out of lanes, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.210.
  • A 33-year-old man, who was a suspended driver and watching videos on his phone while driving, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.172.
  • A 24-year-old man, who was an unlicenced driver, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.157.
  • A 53-year-old woman, who was involved in a single vehicle collision and was a suspended driver, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.187.
  • A 28-year-old man, who collided with a parked car, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.104.
  • A 59-year-old man, who was involved in a single vehicle collision, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.175.
  • A 39-year-old man, who was a suspended driver and driving an unregistered vehicle, returned a blood alcohol content of 0.130.

All 98 of these drivers were issued with Immediate Suspension Notices, suspending their ACT drivers licences’ for 90 days, and they will face court at a later date.

Officer in Charge of Road Policing, Detective Inspector Mark Steel, said that these results were disturbing and that such reckless driver behaviour had to change.

“This is not a new message, everybody knows the horrific and potentially fatal consequences driving while impaired can have for the driver, passengers and other road users,” Detective Inspector Steel said.

“Nationally, last year impaired driving was a contributing factor in 30% of all fatal collisions.”

“A driver found to be under the influence of alcohol at an RBT station was asked why he was drink driving. He told officers he didn’t think he would encounter police on his way home. No one should ever have the mentality that it’s ok to get behind the wheel and take the risk.”

“Police will continue to target those who drive impaired, and I’d once again like to remind Canberrans that you can be caught anywhere, any time. If you run the risk, prepare to face the consequences.”

Police seeking witnesses to motorcycle collision

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Tuesday, 14 January 2025 9:52am

Original publication: Tuesday, 14 January 2025 9:52am

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses or dash-cam footage of a collision in Ngunnawal last week, caused by a wooden log left on the road.

About 10.30pm on Wednesday, 8 January 2025, police and emergency services responded to a single motorcycle collision on Mirrabei Drive.

The 17-year-old rider struck a large wooden log laying across the northbound lane of Mirrabei Drive and was thrown from his motorcycle.

He was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police observed the log on the roadway and suspect it was placed there deliberately.

Anyone who observed suspicious activity on Mirrabei Drive prior to 10.30pm on Wednesday evening, or has dash-cam footage from the vicinity, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 7947395. Information can be provided anonymously.

Man charged after allegedly assaulting a woman in a car

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Tuesday, 14 January 2025 8:15am

Original publication: Tuesday, 14 January 2025 8:15am

A 42-year-old man has been charged after allegedly assaulting a woman during an incident in Narrabundah yesterday.

About 5.30pm (Monday, 13 January 2024), witnesses contacted police to report the male driver of a Nissan Pulsar was repeatedly striking a female passenger while parked on Goyder Street.

Police allege the man then took the woman’s phone and smashed it on the ground before getting back into the vehicle and striking her again.

Officers located the Nissan in O’Malley and the man, who was in breach of his bail conditions, was arrested at a nearby residence.

He has been charged with aggravated common assault and aggravated destroy property, and will appear before the ACT Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, 14 January 2025).

ACT Policing stands ready to assist victims experiencing family violence.

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.