Operation TORIC notches 300th apprehension
Earlier this month, a15-year-old Belconnen area boy became the 300th person apprehended as part of ACT Policing’s Operation TORIC.
About 9.30am on Tuesday, 1 August, 2023, the boy was arrested at his home in relation to the theft of a Holden Colorado and a Lexus CT200h from a residence in Flynn, and the theft of a Volkswagen T-Cross and a Jaguar XE from a residence in Melba. These thefts are alleged to have taken place in late July 2023.
The boy was subsequently charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, and four counts of ride/drive stolen motor vehicle.
In August 2022, ACT Policing established Operation TORIC targeting recidivist offenders to address an increase in motor vehicle thefts and associated dangerous driving and other crimes in the ACT.
These 300 apprehensions have resulted in more than 750 charges being laid, most commonly motor vehicle theft and burglary.
Of those apprehended, 119 of the alleged offenders were on bail, 38 were subject to good behaviour orders, six were on intensive corrections orders, and 19 were on parole.
Shockingly, a 31-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman have each been arrested four times by Operation TORIC members.
Officer in Charge of Operation TORIC, Detective Acting Inspector Elizabeth Swain said TORIC members have been involved in some serious incidents with offenders.
“Recently, we had a member struck by a car driven by a recidivist offender at ANU,” Detective Acting Inspector Swain said.
“Like many of the offenders TORIC encounters, that driver was on bail at the time of the incident.
“We’ve also had another incident where a member was struck by a vehicle trying to flee - this offender reversed so fast the door of their vehicle was ripped off and they fled the scene with no door.
“It is only through sheer luck that these members weren’t seriously injured, or worse.
“The majority of people arrested by Operation TORIC are recidivist offenders, who show a blatant disregard for laws, for safety, and for the community.
“We will continue to target these offenders for the betterment of the ACT community - since Operation TORIC commenced, we have seen a marked drop in motor vehicle thefts across the ACT.”
Detective Inspector Swain added that recidivism is a serious and complex problem, with no single solution.
“Recently, ACT Policing hosted a recidivism roundtable, bringing together senior leaders of key stakeholders from across the criminal justice and community services sectors," she said.
“Here, a diverse range of tactics were discussed, including importance of diversionary programs, current gaps in addressing offender needs, and the use of forensic psychology to underpin individual case management.
“ACT Policing continue to work collaboratively with other ACT agencies around recidivism on solutions that will have the greatest impact on these individuals.”
Operation TORIC is now an ongoing capability within ACT Policing. The team is now working more closely with our Proactive Intervention and Disruption Team and professional experts to develop strategies to break the cycle of recidivist behaviour and reoffending.
Police urge anyone who may have information regarding stolen motor vehicles or other offending to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.
Information can be provided anonymously.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
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