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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.

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.

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.

Source: ACT Police

A 38-year-old man and 35-year-old woman from Rivett will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning charged with multiple burglary and theft offences.

On 20 May 2024 and 21 June 2024, police allege the man committed burglaries at two residences in Denman Prospect and Narrabundah, with the assistance of the woman.

On both occasions, the occupants of the property returned to their residence to find windows shattered, and items taken – with CCTV at the properties capturing the incidents.

Yesterday (25 June 2024), police were conducting patrols in Wright when they observed the 35-year-old woman sitting in a vehicle outside a residence. A short time later, the 38-year-old man emerged from the same residence and attempted to run from police.

Once again, police observed glass to be shattered at the property, and located a small black satchel on the man containing items alleged to be stolen, and a knife with a glass breaker.

The man was subsequently charged with three counts of burglary and three counts of theft, and the woman was charged with three counts of aiding and abetting burglary and three counts of aiding and abetting theft.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is urging motorcyclists to secure their bikes after an increase in the number of thefts reported to police last year.

In 2022, 98 motorcycles were reported stolen. In 2023, the number increased to 189 and so far in 2024, 90 bikes have been stolen.

Superintendent Road and Proactive Policing Brian Diplock said motorbikes were often easier to steal than motor vehicles as most aren’t fitted with anti-theft technologies like immobilisers.

“Motorcycles are also easier to conceal in garages or on properties which makes them harder for police to locate and return to their owners. Stolen cars are twice as likely to be recovered than stolen motorbikes,” Superintendent Diplock said.

“To better protect your bike, park it in a secure garage where possible. If not, attach it to an immovable object such as a pole.”

A disc lock is also an effective tool to help prevent thefts in the event a motorcycle can’t be parked securely.

“Some motorcycles can be hotwired, bypassing the need to steal the key. A disc brake lock is a deterrent to would-be-thieves because even if they do hotwire the vehicle, they can’t ride off with it.”

If your bike is stolen, please provide a copy of the vehicle’s registration, VIN and a photo of the bike or description available when it is reported to police.

Source: ACT Police

A 31-year-old man from Phillip will face the ACT Magistrates Court today charged in relation to two alleged assaults in Mawson on Saturday, 22 June 2024.

About 2.50pm, a woman was walking her dog northbound on the path adjacent to Athllon Drive, Mawson when the man allegedly grabbed the woman by the shoulder before walking away.

A short time later, about 3.10pm, another woman was running southbound on the greenbelt adjacent to Athllon Drive when she came across the same man walking in the opposite direction.

Police allege that as the woman ran past him, the man grabbed her and attempted to pick her up and carry her away. Following a short scuffle, the man dropped the woman and fled the scene on foot.

A review of nearby CCTV provided police with a description of the man involved in the incidents, who was identified and arrested near Hindmarsh Drive about 12.55pm on Monday, 24 June.

He has been charged with two counts of common assault.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking further witnesses and dash-cam footage of a collision on Erindale Drive last week.

About 9.15pm on Friday, 21 June 2024, a grey Volkswagen Arteon sedan and a black Mitsubishi Lancer sedan collided on Erindale Drive, Monash near the intersection with Charleston Crescent.

Both vehicles were travelling in an easterly direction at the time of the collision, with the Lancer subsequently colliding with a red Jeep which was travelling west on Erindale Drive.

The two occupants of the Lancer – a 45-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy – were treated at the scene by ACT Ambulance Service paramedics before being transported to hospital.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 32-year-old Greenway man, was arrested a short time later. He was charged with assault frontline community service worker, not stop/render assistance, and obstructing a territory official.

He faced the ACT Magistrates Court in relation to these charges on Saturday, 22 June 2024, however investigations into the circumstances of the collision are ongoing and further charges are anticipated.

Detective Sergeant Jonathon Turkich from ACT Policing’s Major Collision Team said this was yet another avoidable collision on Canberra roads that are all too common for police.

“This kind of reckless behaviour has to stop,” Detective Sergeant Turkich said.

“Through the course of our investigation, we estimate the vehicle that caused this collision was travelling in excess of 200km/h at the time.

“This goes beyond the realms of ‘excessive speed’, we’re talking about downright stupidity.

“It is by sheer luck that this incident hasn’t led to yet another needless and completely avoidable death on our roads.”

Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have cash-cam footage of the area leading up to the collision.

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 7780377. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

A 36-year-old Symonston man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Monday, 24 June 2024) following his extradition from NSW on family violence charges.

Police allege that on the morning of Sunday, 16 June 2024, the man caused a disturbance involving his ex-partner at a residence in Calwell. During this incident, the man is also alleged to have damaged property at the residence.

It is further alleged that, after leaving the residence, the man sent his ex-partner a threatening text message later that afternoon

Subsequent enquiries by police attached to Operation Pemberton indicated the man was in Karabar, NSW.

He was located and arrested by NSW Police about 4.30pm on Friday, 21 June, and appeared before Queanbeyan Local Court on Saturday, 22 June where his extradition to the ACT was granted.

He will face court today charged with burglary, aggravated destroy/damage property, use carriage service to menace/harass, and warrant offences.

ACT Policing’s Operation Pemberton targets high-risk domestic and family violence offenders. This is the third successful extradition since Operation Pemberton commenced operations in April, 2024.

Police take all reports of family violence seriously, and continue to investigate all forms of offending to ensure victims and the community are kept safe and offenders are held accountable.

We understand the significant coercion and control exerted in relationships where family violence exists, and encourage anyone impacted by any type of family violence offending to contact police and seek support.

If you are a victim of family violence or believe someone you know is the victim of family violence, 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

Source: ACT Police

Man facing additional charges following alleged sexual assault and forcible confinement

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an arson attack that occurred at a barber shop in Gungahlin over the weekend.

About 11.40pm on Saturday, 6 July 2024, police received reports that two people had attended the barber shop on Hibberson Street, Gungahlin on push bikes and broken into the store.

The pair are believed to have smashed the glass front door to the premises, before entering, spreading an accelerant throughout the premises, and ignited it.

In the process of spreading the accelerant, one of the offenders has inadvertently set themselves alight. This was quickly extinguished by the other offender.

The offenders then fled the scene on bikes in the direction of Gungahlin Place prior to police arriving at the scene.

While the fire suppression system quickly contained the fire, the premises sustained significant damage.

Police have already spoken to a number of witnesses, however would still like to speak to anyone else who witnessed the incident who has not yet spoken to police. This includes anyone with knowledge of a person incurring burns to their body and/or clothing over the weekend.

Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via theCrime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 7792682. Information can be provided anonymously.