Call for public assistance in investigation of multiple aggravated burglaries

ACT Policing is calling on the public to provide information which could aid the investigation into a series of aggravated burglaries targeting businesses around the ACT.

Thirty incidents have been reported to police since Tuesday, 8 September 2020, in industrial areas and shopping precincts across Canberra.

ACT Policing Criminal Investigations Targeting Manager, Detective Acting Inspector Mark Steel said ACT Policing has committed significant resources to the investigation.

“Our priority is always public safety, and our investigators are working to catch these offenders and bring them before the courts,” Detective Acting Inspector Steel said.

“The damage to these businesses is in the thousands of dollars, and in some cases the offenders have left with property of little value.

“I can confirm that in one of these incidents a vehicle was used to gain access to the premises in what would be considered a ram raid.

“We are using a variety of methods to support this investigation and are working to identify the vehicle or vehicles used.”

Police have spoken to witnesses and are reviewing CCTV footage from these incidents, and Detective Acting Inspector Steel said there may be people with key information yet to come forward.

“The people committing these offences often set off alarms and make a hasty getaway in the early hours of the morning. This kind of offending is brazen and should stick out on any CCTV or dash-cam footage,” Detective Acting Inspector Steel said.

“If anyone has footage from their premises or vehicle that they believe may assist us in identifying these people, please come forward. Any information you can provide is enormously important to our investigation, it could be the key we need to make an arrest.”

There are a number of inexpensive ways ACT businesses can deter burglars and secure their businesses. 

More than 70 per cent of burglaries happen at night, so an effective CCTV and alarm system will help deter and catch offenders. 

Small shops can consider teaming up with neighbouring businesses to develop security measures which benefit the group.

More tips on how to secure your home and business can be found on ACT Policing’s Outsmart the Offender website.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 6633102. Information can be provided anonymously.

Broadcast quality vision can be download from Hightail.

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au