Man to face court after allegedly assaulting former partner

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Monday, 19 May 2025 10:30am

Original publication: Monday, 19 May 2025 10:30am

A 35-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today after allegedly assaulting his former partner on the side of the road.

About 6pm yesterday (Sunday, 18 May 2025), the man met his former partner in a carpark in Dickson.

The woman got into his Ford Territory to speak to him when he allegedly indecently assaulted her.

He then drove away with the woman still in the vehicle and continued to indecently touch and assault her.

A short time later, the man stopped on Fairbairn Avenue in Majura and pulled the woman from the vehicle, punching her repeatedly.

Witnesses who observed the assault contacted police and waited with the woman until officers arrived.

The man was arrested and charged with two counts of committing an act of indecency without consent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and property damage.

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.

Man charged after driving with unrestrained infant

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Monday, 19 May 2025 9:24am

Original publication: Monday, 19 May 2025 9:24am

A 39-year-old man will face court today after allegedly driving with an unrestrained infant in the vehicle, choking the baby, and attempting to flee after he was arrested.

About 5:10am yesterday (Sunday, 18 May 2025), police observed a grey Mercedes sedan travelling along Northbourne Avenue with no headlights on and the driver on the phone.

Officers pulled the vehicle over but the driver refused to step out of the vehicle. At this time police also observed a female passenger in the front seat holding an infant in her lap.

The man continued to ignore police directions and attempted to drive forward. When police gained access to the vehicle to arrest the man, he allegedly grabbed the baby around the neck.

After negotiating with the man and woman, they eventually exited the vehicle. ACT Ambulance Services attended to check the welfare of the child and police were eventually able to arrest the man and woman.

While in custody at the ACT Watch House, the man allegedly attempted to escape custody but was apprehended before he could flee.

The man was charged with offences including chokes/suffocates/strangles another person, driving while unlicenced, driving with an unrestrained child, possessing a drug of dependence and attempting to escape custody.

He is expected to face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Monday, 19 May 2025).

The woman was charged with hindering a territory public official and will face court at a later date.

Seeking community assistance for information

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Sunday, 18 May 2025 6:14pm

Original publication: Sunday, 18 May 2025 6:14pm

ACT Policing is seeking community assistance for information in relation to the welfare of a person last seen in Chapman this afternoon.

About 3:30pm today (18 May 2025), a man entered a house on Simmons Place in Chapman who appeared disorientated and highly agitated. Police believe the man may have dementia.

The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with a heavy build, white hair and between 50 and 60 years old.

He was wearing a light blue cardigan, tracksuit pants, runners and carrying a paper Woolworths bag.

Police hold concerns for the man’s welfare and are asking the community that if anyone else had a similar interaction or saw a man matching this description to come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.  Please quote P2351456. Information can be provided anonymously.

Three charged following safe theft in March

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 3:00pm

Original publication: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 2:35pm

Three men have been charged following the theft of a safe containing a significant sum of cash and valuables from a home in Giralang in March.

On 20 March (2025) police were informed of the theft of the safe from a Giralang home, with information received that the alleged offenders were being threatened by the safe owner and others.

Police also received information that Sydney and Canberra-based Hells Angels criminal motorcycle gang members had become involved in efforts to recover the safe.

On 5 April (2025) the safe was located empty near Mawson Ponds.

Following an investigation by detectives from the Gungahlin Major Crime Squad, multiple search warrants were executed and three men have been charged in relation to this matter.

On Friday 9 May (2025), police executed a search warrant at a 38-year-old man’s residence in Amaroo. During the search warrant officers located weapons, mobiles phones and suspected drug substances. The man has been charged with aggravated burglary – intent to commit theft, assault occasioning ABH, joint commission theft, possessing a prohibited weapon and three counts of traffic in controlled drug other than cannabis.

On Wednesday 14 May (2025), police executed a search warrant in Bonner seizing collectable coins suspected to have been stolen from the safe.

On Thursday, 15 May (2025), police executed a search warrant on a 32-year-old man’s residence in Braddon. During the search warrant officers seized a firearm, ammunition and a shot gun shell. The man was charged with aggravated burglary – intent to commit theft and theft.

Both men previously faced court for these offences and were remanded in custody.  They will face the ACT Magistrates Court again tomorrow (29 May 2025).

Yesterday (Tuesday, 27 May 2025) Gungahlin detectives (with the assistance of New South Wales Police Force Raptor Squad officers) executed a search warrant on a 63-year-old man’s residence in Wentworthville in NSW.

He was arrested and extradited to the ACT and is due to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court today (Wednesday, 28 May 2025). The man is expected to be charged with incitement and forcible confinement.

Investigations into this matter remain on going and further charges are expected to be laid. The full contents of the safe are yet to be recovered.

Anyone with any information about this matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppers.com.au. Please quote 8002738. Information can be provided anonymously.

Teen charged following violent assault

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 11:43am

Original publication: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 11:43am

A 15-year-old boy has been charged following the violent assault of a woman on a walking trail in Bonner on Monday.

About 10:15am on Monday (26 May 2025), a 59-year-old woman was jogging down Oak Hill on the Centenary Trail in Bonner when the 15-year-old boy allegedly grabbed her from behind and began assaulting her.

During the assault the teen allegedly choked the woman causing her to pass out for a short period of time. When she regained consciousness and tried to get away, he then struck the woman in the head. As a result, the woman fell to the ground where the boy continued assaulting the woman.

After the assault, the teen allegedly took the woman’s phone and ran away.

After the 15-year-old left, the woman got up and ran until she encountered another woman who called Triple Zero (000).

Soon after police and ACT Ambulance Service attended, and the woman was taken to The Canberra Hospital where she was treated for minor injuries.

The boy was located soon after, arrested and charged with an act of indecency without consent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, choke a person and render insensible and robbery. He was taken for a mental health assessment and faced the ACT Childrens Court today (Wednesday, 28 May 2025) where he was remanded in custody until 23 June 2025.

Witnesses sought following knife incidents in Tuggeranong

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Tuesday, 27 May 2025 10:03am

Original publication: Tuesday, 27 May 2025 10:03am

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to two incidents yesterday in Oxley and Erindale where one man was robbed and another was assaulted after being threatened with a knife.

About 3.45pm yesterday (Monday, 26 May 2025) a man was approached on Newman Morris Circuit, Oxley by a male teenager and a younger boy and was allegedly threatened with a knife before handing over a sum of money and his Airpod earphones.

The second incident occurred about 4.00pm when a man was sitting at a bus stop on Comrie Street near the Erindale shops. He was approached by two boys (matching the description of the offenders in the earlier incident), who were riding an electric scooter. The boys asked to borrow his phone and after he declined, they allegedly assaulted him. He was later taken to The Canberra Hospital with minor injuries.

Police are seeking information relating to the incidents, including anyone who has dashcam footage from the Oxley and Erindale area between 3.30pm-4.30pm or witnesses who have not yet spoken to police.

Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 8059010. Information can be provided anonymously.

More than 190 plants seized from Bonner grow house

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Monday, 26 May 2025 4:28pm

Original publication: Monday, 26 May 2025 4:18pm

Police have seized more than 190 cannabis plants following a search of a house in Bonner this morning.

Following an investigation into grow houses operating in the ACT, police executed a search warrant on the residence and seized more than 190 cannabis plants.

Multiple pieces of hydroponic equipment estimated to be worth tens of thousands of dollars were also seized by police.

A Vietnamese national believed to be involved in the large-scale cultivation of cannabis in Canberra fled the scene before police arrived and has yet to be located.

At this time no arrests have been made, and investigations into the grow house are continuing.

Anyone who can assist police with information about the illegal sale and distribution of drugs in the ACT is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.

Witnesses sought to weekend assault in the city

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Monday, 26 May 2025 9:33am

Original publication: Monday, 26 May 2025 9:33am

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an assault in Petrie Plaza in the city on Saturday night.

About 11:20pm on Saturday (24 May 2025), police responded to an incident in Petrie Plaza near the merry-go-round where a 44-year-old NSW man was allegedly assaulted by a group of young people.

The group then left the area however a short time later two 16-year-old boys were apprehended by police in relation to the incident.

Police believe that at least four people participated in the alleged assault, with three teens identified and expected to be charged with offences including affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Investigators are seeking information relating to the incident including assistance with identifying anyone who participated in the alleged assault or witnesses who have not yet spoken to police.

Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 8057656. Information can be provided anonymously.

Man charged following carpark dispute

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Saturday, 24 May 2025 9:55am

Original publication: Saturday, 24 May 2025 9:55am

A 34-year-old man will face court today after allegedly strangling another man following a carpark dispute in Belconnen last night.

Around 9.00pm (Friday, 23 May 2025), a male resident attempted to park his vehicle in the carpark of his apartment building when another vehicle cut him off.

The driver of the second vehicle – the 34-year-old man – allegedly began yelling at the resident before getting out and approaching his car.

He then allegedly threatened to kill the resident before reaching through an open window to hit and strangle him.

The 34-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning charged with making threats to kill, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and choking, suffocating or strangling another person.

Man found in possession of 5 knives

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Friday, 23 May 2025 11:51am

Original publication: Friday, 23 May 2025 9:51am

ACT Policing have arrested a man after he was allegedly found in possession of five knives in Dickson on Wednesday.

About 1:45pm on Wednesday (21 May 2025), police responded to reports of a 28-year-old man in possession of a knife.

Police located the man and conducted a search of him and his backpack, locating five knives.

The 28-year-old man – who was subject to a good behaviour order at the time of the incidents – is expected to be charged with three counts of breaching good behaviour obligations and five counts of possessing a knife without a reasonable excuse. He will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning (Friday, 23 May 2025).

The public are reminded it is a serious offence to possess a knife in public where a person has no reasonable excuse to do so. ‘Personal protection’ is not a lawful reason to carry a knife. Penalties include fines and imprisonment for up to six months.