Emergency services remind drivers to give way to emergency vehicles

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Wednesday, 2 July 2025 1:21pm

Original publication: Wednesday, 2 July 2025 1:21pm

ACT Policing and the ACT Emergency Services Agency are urging drivers to be aware of how to safely give way to emergency vehicles on the road.

Recent incidents have highlighted a lack of understanding among drivers regarding how to safely give way to police, fire, and ambulance vehicles.

Last weekend an ambulance with a critical patient was being escorted to hospital by police when a driver stopped directly in front of the three emergency service vehicles. This put the driver at risk and needlessly delayed the progress of the ambulance.

When emergency services activate their lights and sirens, they are responding to time-critical situations. It is essential for drivers to know how to safely move out of the way to ensure that emergency vehicles can reach their destinations quickly and safely.

ACT Road Policing Detective Sergeant Sean Evans said drivers are responsible for their actions on the road and should always pay attention to their surroundings.

“If your vehicle is stationary and there is nowhere safe to go, stay where you are. If your car is moving, move to the left using your indicator to show that you are aware and moving out of the way,” said Detective Sergeant Evans.

“Remain in the left-hand lane of a multi-lane road, allowing emergency vehicles to use the right-hand lane when required. It is also important for drivers to use their mirrors and be aware of their surroundings at all times.”

ACT Ambulance Service, Operations Manager John Berry said your cooperation on the road could save someone’s life in a critical condition.

“When Paramedics respond to an emergency, they don’t get to choose where they stop or who they are helping, but you can choose how safely you drive. When you see emergency services working roadside, slow down to 40km per hour, move over and help keep us safe.”

ACT Fire & Rescue Superintendent of Capability Support, Bruce Chancellor said the Canberra community plays an integral role in the safety of emergency service personnel

“Fire trucks are big, heavy and often have more than one appliance responding to an emergency. Slow down, give them space and help them reach those in need safely.”

Drivers who fail to give way to emergency services or slow down to 40km when approaching a police or emergency vehicle that is stationary with lights activated can face fines and incur demerit points.

Stolen vehicle and imitation firearm recovered

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Wednesday, 2 July 2025 11:17am

Original publication: Wednesday, 2 July 2025 11:17am

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and possible victims of a road rage incident that occurred on Monday afternoon involving a stolen black SUV and an imitation firearm.

In the early hours of Sunday (29 June 2025) a Black Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD was stolen during a burglary in Denman Prospect ACT.

The vehicle was sighted by police a number of times that morning and was observed to be driving at hazardous speeds across the ACT.

About 8:10pm on Sunday night, witnesses observed the Black Jeep driving on Lady Denman Drive, Yarralumla towards Cotter Road. It was reportedly being driven erratically behind a white Toyota Corolla with an ACT Brumbies Sticker on the rear.

At the intersection of Lady Denman Drive and Cotter Road, witnesses report observing an arm point a black handgun from the driver’s window of the Jeep at the passenger side of the White Corolla for a number of seconds.

On Monday afternoon (30 June 2025), members from Proactive Policing, Tuggeranong Patrol and Police Tactical Response Group, secured the Black Jeep Cherokee at an address in Oxley.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested at the location for breach of bail and charged with possessing stolen property relating to the Denman Prospect burglary.

During a subsequent search of the Jeep, investigators recovered a plastic air gun, designed to replicate a Glock handgun.

Investigations are ongoing and officers anticipate further charges will be laid.

ACT Policing is urging the driver of the White Toyota Corolla who interacted with the Jeep on Sunday night to come forward.

Police would also like to speak with anyone who has dash cam footage of the black Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV driving erratically on Sunday or Monday.

Anyone who can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.  Please quote 8090865. Information can be provided anonymously

Man extradited from Victoria for breach of bail

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Tuesday, 1 July 2025 11:43am

Original publication: Tuesday, 1 July 2025 10:32am

A 29-year-old man will face the ACT Supreme Court after being extradited from Victoria for breaching his bail conditions.

In 2022, the man was charged with sexual assault and child abuse material offences and received bail conditions to reside in Merimbula, NSW.

On 5 May 2025, NSW Police conducted a bail compliance check at the residence and were unable to locate the man.

On 21 June, Victoria Police attended a residence in Yinna South, Victoria for an unrelated matter and located the man. Police checks revealed he was in breach of his bail conditions.

On Monday (30 June 2025), the man was extradited back to Canberra and taken to the ACT Watch House. He will face the ACT Supreme Court today charged with breach of bail.

Third arrest for North Lyneham shooting in March

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Monday, 30 June 2025 10:25am

Original publication: Monday, 30 June 2025 10:25am

A 26-year-old NSW man has been charged in relation to the shooting of a man in North Lyneham in March, following a pursuit last night.

About 7.20pm yesterday (Sunday 29 June), police on patrol in Belconnen observed a black hatchback being driven erratically and at high speed.

Police activated their emergency lights and sirens and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver failed to stop, and police pursued the vehicle until it stopped in Weston Creek.

The driver and passenger attempted to flee the scene but were apprehended by police after a short foot chase.

The man was arrested and charged with failing to stop for police, driving a motor vehicle without consent and drug possession.

While at the ACT Watch House, the man was also charged in relation to a shooting incident in North Lyneham on 21 March 2025.

He has also been charged with aide and abet attempted aggravated robbery, and being knowingly concerned in the discharge of a firearm at another person.

This is the third arrest in relation to this shooting.

He will face the ACT Magistrates Court today, Monday 30 June 2025.

Brother and sister charged following serious assault

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Monday, 30 June 2025 8:41am

Original publication: Monday, 30 June 2025 8:41am

A 22-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man, both from Belconnen, have been charged with serious assault offences after a 14-year-old boy presented to hospital last week with significant injuries.

The boy was taken to the Canberra Hospital on Tuesday, suffering multiple injuries consistent with an assault. On Thursday his status became critical and he was airlifted to specialist children’s care in Sydney where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

An investigation was commenced and police received information that the boy was assaulted at a Belconnen home early on Monday morning (23 June 2025).

A search warrant was executed at the home on Saturday (28 June 2025) where a 22-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man (who are brother and sister) were charged with joint commission recklessly inflict grievous bodily harm, and joint commission assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

They are both scheduled to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today (Monday, 30 June 2025).

Investigations into this matter are continuing. Anyone who can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.  Please quote 8088916. Information can be provided anonymously.

Drunk driver crashes van into Throsby home

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Sunday, 29 June 2025 9:39am

Original publication: Sunday, 29 June 2025 9:39am

A 31-year-old Deakin man has been charged after a van he was driving failed to take a bend and collided with the front of a Throsby home early this morning.

About 1:45am today (Sunday, 29 June 2025), police received a triple-zero call from a Throsby resident after a grey Volkswagen Transporter van left the road, collected a light pole and collided with the front of their house.

The van ended up on its passenger side, lodged between the front porch of the home and a nearby retaining wall. No one was injured in the collision, with the 31-year-old driver taken into custody following a positive breath screening test. He subsequently recorded a result of 0.171 after undergoing an analysis test at Gungahlin Police Station.

The man was issued with an immediate suspension notice, suspending his right to drive in the ACT for a period of 90 days. He will also face the ACT Magistrate’s Court at a later date, charged drink driving. Investigations into this matter are continuing and additional charges may be laid.

ACT Policing continues to remind all drivers of the dangers of drinking and driving. If you are going to consume alcohol or other drugs– don’t drive

Man charged following second hand buying scam

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Saturday, 28 June 2025 9:22am

Original publication: Saturday, 28 June 2025 9:22am

An 18-year-old Florey man on bail for similar alleged offending will face court today after he was charged again in relation to alleged thefts of goods being sold via online platforms.

In May (2025) ACT Policing received two reports of Apple MacBooks that were offered for sale via Facebook Marketplace where the buyer used fake cash transfer receipts to secure the items. In both cases the sales were made face-to-face, however the seller was allegedly shown screenshots on the buyers phone as evidence of payment with no payments actually received by the sellers.

In both cases the buyer was using the same Facebook profile when seeking to buy the computers.

In a third matter in early June (2025), the Facebook profile was again used to purchase a MacBook computer however a different man attended the sale. Police will allege that again, a screenshot of a fake bank transfer was used to ‘purchase’ the computer.

On Thursday evening (26 June 2025) a woman attended Belconnen Police Station to report the theft of a Ricoh camera with the circumstances the same as the previously reported thefts of MacBook computers in May and June.

Yesterday (Friday, 27 June 2025) two men attended a secondhand goods store in Phillip where they allegedly offered a Ricoh camera for sale. Officers attached to the Proactive Policing Team attended and subsequently arrested an 18-year-old Florey man.

In late May, the man faced the ACT Magistrates Court charged with similar offences and received bail including a condition not to use any digital marketplace, such as Facebook Marketplace.

He was subsequently charged yesterday with two counts of obtain property by deception, joint commission obtain property by deception, possession of stolen property and breach of bail.

Anyone who has information about the theft of goods via online selling platforms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.  Information can be provided anonymously.

Boy charged after assaulting hospital staff

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Thursday, 26 June 2025 10:17am

Original publication: Thursday, 26 June 2025 10:17am

A 17 year-old Greenway boy will face court today (Thursday 26 June) after assaulting hospital staff early this morning.

At around 12:10am the boy attended The Canberra Hospital to receive treatment. While at the hospital the boy allegedly became aggressive and violent towards staff.

Police allege the boy physically assaulted a number of staff members before being restrained by security staff.

Police attended the hospital and arrested the 17 year-old boy. He was taken to the ACT Watch House and will face the ACT Children’s Court today charged with 2 counts of common assault.

UPDATE: Two arrested over Torrensville arson attack

Source: South Australia Police

Two men have been arrested after an arson attack at Saray Market and Butchery, Torrensville last week that injured several people, including the suspects.

It will be alleged that at 11.35am on Saturday 18 October, the suspects entered the Henley Beach Road business via the rear car park off Jervois Street, Torrensville, where they had been parked for about four minutes.

Two suspects exited the vehicle, one wearing a motorcycle helmet and the other a balaclava. One suspect was seen to have a red plastic jerry can and the other carried a Molotov cocktail. A short time later there was an explosion.

Six employees were in the store at the time. Two 24-year-old employees sustained burns and were admitted to hospital for treatment.

The three suspects left in a black Lexus station wagon, New South Wales registration DJ94PQ, which collided with several parked cars on East Street as it fled the scene.

About midday on Saturday, emergency services were called to Blenheim Street, Angle Park where a 40-year-old Paralowie man reported burn injuries from an alleged barbeque explosion.

The man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Today (Wednesday 22 October), police arrested the man and charged him with arson, four counts of attempt murder and two counts of acts to endanger life. He was refused bail and will appear in court via a bedside hearing on Thursday 23 October.

A second suspect, a 45-year-old Salisbury North man was located in Victor Harbor today where arrested and charged with arson, four counts of attempt murder and two counts of acts to endanger life.

He was refused bail and will appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Thursday 23 October.

Enquiries continue regarding the third suspect.

The black Lexus was found abandoned in Danby Street, Torrensville, near Ashley Street, about midnight Saturday night and has been seized for forensic examination.  It was reported stolen from a Findon address earlier this month.

This was not a random attack.  Investigation is ongoing to determine if the incident relates to the illicit tobacco market or there is an alternative motive.

The damage to the building is approximately $150,000.

Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said that police believe they have identified the three suspects and are gathering evidence to charge those responsible for arson and acts to endanger life.

“I warn anyone involved in such offences, or considering involvement, the maximum penalty for arson is imprisonment for life and acts to endanger life carries an 18-year sentence,” Detective Chief Inspector Featherby said.

Police have collected a large amount of CCTV from various scenes which is continuing to be analysed.

Investigators are seeking any dashcam or CCTV footage from the public from Saturday 18 October in the vicinity of Henley Beach Road, East Street and Danby Street at Torrensville.

Police would also like to know about the movements of the black Lexus SUV, registration DJ94PQ, since it was stolen on 5 October.

Police would also like any information on a black WRX seen meeting or travelling in convoy with the black Lexus on Saturday 18 October.

If anyone knows anything about this attack, or who might be involved please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.

Reference 268819

Man to face court charged with family violence offences

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Monday, 14 July 2025 11:56am

Original publication: Monday, 14 July 2025 11:56am

A 24-year-old Belconnen man has been charged after allegedly assaulting and threatening his partner on multiple occasions.

Police allege between November 2023 and July 2025, the man threatened his partner, assaulted her and in one incident, also assaulted her friend.

The incidents were reported to police and about 6:30pm last night (Sunday, 13 July 2025), the man was arrested.

He has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and making threats to endanger health, safety or wellbeing. He is due to face the ACT Magistrates Court today.

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 6247 2525