Man to face 21 charges over club burglaries
A 34-year-old man will face 21 charges in court today in relation to multiple burglary and robbery incidents at ACT clubs earlier this year.
Between 1 March and 29 March the following incidents occurred:
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A Holden utility was broken into and damaged in the carpark of the Belconnen Soccer Club
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The Ainslie Football Club was broken into and a cash machine was damaged with cash stolen
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The Southern Cross Club in Jamison was broken into and a cash machine was damaged beyond repair.
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The Belconnen Soccer Club was broken into twice with thousands of dollars damage occurring
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The Belconnen Labor Club was broken into and a cash machine was damaged with cash stolen
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A Honda Odyssey was stolen from a residence in Fisher and an Audi A3 was stolen from Ngunnawal
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The Ginninderra Labor Club was broken into, alcohol was stolen and items in the club damaged. Soon after, a Mitsubishi ASX in the club carpark was unlawfully entered and gift cards were stolen from inside it
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The Weston Creek Labor Club was broken into with a coffee machine stolen and items in the club damaged.
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The Burns Club in Kambah was subject of a ram raid with the stolen Honda Odyssey and robbed by two men while staff were present.
Following an extensive investigation by detectives attached to ACT Criminal Investigations, suspects were identified as allegedly being responsible for the series of burglaries and robberies.
An arrest warrant was obtained by police and the 34-year-old man was located in Broulee, NSW.
On Friday (19 May 2023) NSW Police arrested the man and yesterday (22 May 2023), he faced the Batemans Bay Local Court where bail was refused and the man was extradited to the ACT.
He is scheduled to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, 23 May 2033) where he will face 21 charges including six counts of aggravated burglary, six counts of property damage, six counts of theft, two counts of ride/drive in a motor vehicle without consent and aggravated robbery. Further charges are pending.
This arrest follows other police activity on 18 April 2023 when a search warrant was executed at a residence in Phillip with multiple items seized for forensic examination. A second offender was arrested at the residence and is facing one count of aggravated burglary in relation to the burglary at the Southern Cross Club in Jamison. Further inquiries are ongoing in relation to other incidents.
Detective acting Inspector Matt Innes said that fleeing over the border does not mean an offender is beyond the reach of ACT Policing.
“This recent arrest should serve as a warning to those that commit crimes in the ACT. We will use each and every resource at our disposal – including utilising our close working relationship with the New South Wales Police Force to conduct arrests across the border,” said Detective acting Inspector Innes.
Anyone who has information relating to these incidents is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7390409
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
POLICE MEDIA — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au