Recidivist offender on multiple charges after burglaries

Charged with multiple offences

A 43-year-old Duffy man will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning charged with multiple offences, after burglaries in the Woden Town Centre and Weston Creek. 

About 3.15am Wednesday (31 May 2023) police were alerted to three people attempting to break into the Westfield Woden shopping centre. After gaining entry to the centre, they attempted to break into a jewellery store. 

About 3.30am, police arrived at the shopping centre, narrowly avoiding a collision with a Ford Focus fleeing the scene. 

After examining CCTV footage from the shopping centre, police were able to identify one of the alleged offenders as the 43-year-old man, who was subject to bail conditions including an overnight curfew. 

About 11am, police received a report that a Weston Creek residence had been broken into and property, including bank cards, was stolen. Several purchases using the cards were made in Lyons. CCTV footage showed the 43-year-old allegedly making the purchases before leaving the scene in a Ford Focus. 

About 12.30pm, the man allegedly committed a petrol drive-off in the Ford Focus from a Kaleen service station. 

When police attended the man’s residence to execute a search warrant about 9.30pm, the man refused to allow them entry and allegedly continued threatening officers.  

A 2-hour stand-off ensued, before the man surrendered to police without further incident, and officers searched his residence, locating several items connected to the Woden and Weston burglaries. 

The 43-year-old is currently on bail for other offences and had also previously been granted bail to attend to family matters. He will answer to the following charges today: 

  • Going Equipped for theft, 

  • Aggravated Burglary 

  • Breach of Bail 

  • Unlawful possession 

  • Obstruct Police 

  • Possess offensive weapon with intent 

  • Obtain property by deception 

MEDIA ENQUIRIES  

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

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