Man to face court for vandalising police vehicle

A 67-year-old man will face court charged over the vandalism of an ACT Policing vehicle in Tuggeranong on Monday, 2 December 2019. 

About 11.45pm, police noticed a man acting suspiciously in the Tuggeranong Police Station car park. Police spoke with the man, who left the area on foot following a brief conversation.

About 12.40am on Tuesday, 3 December 2019, police went to use a marked police vehicle to respond to an incident, however they were unable to as both rear tyres of the vehicle had been damaged.

Police reviewed CCTV footage of the car park, which allegedly showed the man they had spoken to earlier stab the tyres with a knife.

The man was located a short time later and was found to be in possession of a small fishing knife.

He was arrested and charged with possessing a knife in a public place and damaging Commonwealth property. He received a summons and will face court at a later date.

“Police rely on their vehicles in the course of their duties,” Officer in Charge of Tuggeranong Police Station, Detective Acting Station Sergeant Chris Ball said.

“This is an extraordinarily stupid and senseless act of vandalism, as it resulted in police being unable to respond to another serious incident in a timely manner.”

Media enquiries

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