Man arrested to face 34 charges

A 38-year-old man arrested on Saturday (23 July 2022) will face the ACT Magistrates Court today on 34 charges. 

The man was identified by ACT Policing officers on patrol in Ainslie as a person wanted in connection with several offences since May 2022. The man was on foot, but when asked to stop by police, ran off. He was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. 

In court today, police will allege the man failed to appear in court on 30 June 2022, having given an undertaking that he would do so as a bail condition granted on 23 May 2022. 

Police will also allege the man was involved in offences on several dates including: 

• The theft of a black Mercedes SLK350 from a Franklin residence on 10 June 2022, which was ransacked during the incident. 

• The theft of a red Kia Rio from a Turner residence on 19 June 2022. Additionally, a passport, laptop and mobile phone were stolen from the residence. 

• A burglary in Harrison on 19 June 2022, during which several apartment storage cages were broken into and camera equipment, guitars and musical accessories were stolen. 

• A burglary in Lawson on 20 June 2022, during which a wallet and mobile phone were taken. A credit card from the wallet was later used for fraudulent transactions in the Weston area. 

• The theft of a white Toyota Yaris and a silver Nissan X-Trail from a Braddon residence on 24 June 2022. 

• Burglaries in Campbell on 2 July 2022, where property including bank cards were stolen from several residences and vehicles, which were then used in paywave and bank fraud offences in several suburbs on multiple dates. These offences came to a total of more than $26,000 in cash and goods.  

• An incident where a Mercedes A250 failed to stop for police in Braddon on 8 July 2022. 

• A burglary in Turner on 23 July 2022 during which a silver Volkswagen Golf, a phone, and bank cards were stolen. 

At the time of his arrest, police found the man was in possession of multiple items, including bank cards, Medicare cards, and licences stolen in some of the burglaries. 

Police enquiries into a large number of fraudulent transactions are continuing, as are investigations into further offences related to the stolen property and stolen motor vehicles. Further charges are likely to be laid. 

Police will oppose bail. 

In total the man will face 34 charges made up of burglary, theft, minor theft, three counts of drive motor vehicle without consent, 14 counts of obtain property by deception, nine of unlawful possession of stolen property, three of use number plate not properly issued, failing to stop for police and failing to appear after bail undertaking. 

Police note that in a high proportion of the burglaries, premises and/or vehicles had been left unlocked, and remind the community that there is a large amount of advice on property crime prevention available online, as part of the 'Outsmart The Offender' program.  

Media enquiries 

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