Car stolen and crashed before hostage taken

A 25-year-old man will face multiple charges after he allegedly stole a vehicle, collided head-on with another vehicle and took a woman hostage.   

About 9.00am on Sunday (19 June 2022) police received a report of a Holden Commodore being stolen from a residence in Florey.  

Yesterday (Monday, 20 June 2022) officers observed the vehicle travelling at high speed throughout Kingston, refusing police direction to stop.  

The Commodore travelled on the incorrect side of Wentworth Avenue and soon after collided head-on with another vehicle before fleeing the scene. Pursuing police immediately stopped and provided assistance to the driver who was the sole occupant of the vehicle. 

A short time later, police located the Commodore in Weston Park, Yarralumla. The vehicle drove off and was again pursued by police before leaving the road and colliding with a fence. The driver fled the scene on foot before climbing a fence into a nearby golf club.  

While still being pursued by police, the man took hold of a woman and a short stand-off ensued. Officers drew their tasers, the woman was released soon after and the man was taken into custody. The woman was not physically harmed during this altercation.  

The 25-year-old man has been charged with two counts of failing to stop a motor vehicle for police, two counts of dangerous driving, driving a motor vehicle without consent, damaging property, driving without a licence, using an offensive weapon, making a demand with a threat to kill, possessing a drug of dependence, and driving under the influence.  

He is scheduled to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court this morning.  

Media enquiries 

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