ACT burglar caught in NSW
A 20-year-old man has been arrested in Karabar and will face court in the ACT in relation to multiple burglaries and car thefts.
A Nicholls home was burgled on 16 October (2023) with a BMW taken from the residence. The vehicle was located later that day with the driver engaging in pursuits in NSW. Soon after it was located back in Nicholls, abandoned.
CCTV in the area showed the driver getting into a Subaru WRX that was also reported stolen following a burglary in Denman Prospect on 14 October 2023.
On 18 October 2023 a burglary occurred at a residence in Weston where approximately $50,000 worth of jewelry and tools were stolen over the course of about two hours. CCTV from the residence provided a clear image of the man responsible.
Liaison with NSW Police investigators based in the Monaro Local Area Command in Queanbeyan allowed the man to be identified. Without this support the identification of the man may not have occurred.
The man was then linked to multiple other burglaries recently occurring in the ACT and an arrest warrant and search warrants were arranged.
Yesterday (Thursday 26 October 2023) NSW Police and ACT Policing officers attached to Operation TORIC attended the man’s home in Karabar and arrested him. Subsequent search warrants in Karabar and at a residence in Oaks Estate located evidence linking the man to multiple burglaries as well as jewelry allegedly taken from the Weston incident.
A significant volume of power and other tools were not recovered and police believe these may have been sold or traded by the man. The majority of the power tools were Milwaukee brand and included engraving of a mobile phone number ending in 580 or the company name WR Engineering.
If anyone is aware of the tools location, they are urged to contact police quoting reference 7567514. ACT Policing reminds Canberrans that it is a criminal offence to be in possession of stolen goods.
The man faced the Queanbeyan Court yesterday where his extradition to the ACT was granted. He is scheduled to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday, 26 October 2023) to face charges including aggravated burglary – intent to commit theft, drive motor vehicle without consent and theft.
Anyone with any information about burglaries or the sale of stolen goods 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.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
POLICE MEDIA — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au