POLICE from Operation Toric arrested five recidivist offenders yesterday (September 21) taking the total number of arrests so far from the seven-week operation to 49. 

Operation Toric was established on August 1 to address an increase in motor-vehicle thefts and associated dangerous driving and other crimes in the ACT by focusing on individuals who are continuing to put the community, themselves and police at risk.

The operation brings together dedicated resources from the Proactive Intervention and Diversion Team, Road Policing, General Duties and Intelligence Teams.

Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan says: “The dedicated officers in Operation Toric will put every hour of their work towards bringing each and every dangerous driving offender to justice.”

Person 1:  

Earlier this month, police received reports of a white Nissan Navara and a red Mitsubishi Lancer being stolen from separate residences. On 15 September 2022, officers patrolling in Coombs spotted the two vehicles parked at a children’s playground.

In blocking the Nissan Navara, police say its driver fled, jumping on to the bonnet of the escaping Mitsubishi Lancer before the vehicle took off at speed, with the man still clinging to the vehicle.

Yesterday officers arrested and charged a 33-year-old Coombs man. It has been revealed he had his licence disqualified for a period of up to two years.

Refused bail, he will appear before the ACT Magistrates Court tomorrow (September 23).

Person 2:  

When arresting the 33-year-old man at his residence in Coombs, officers also recognised a 28-year-old woman at the property, who had a warrant out for her arrest.

She was apprehended and charged with breaching bail conditions.

The woman was later bailed by the ACT Magistrates Court with no bail conditions, despite being on bail for previous stolen motor-vehicle offences.

Person 3: 

On Saturday, September 17, police received reports of a residence break in resulting in the loss of keys and a white Ford.

Yesterday, officers in Kingston spotted the allegedly stolen vehicle driving along Leichhardt Street before parking at a residence in the area. A 17-year-old was arrested.

Less than two months ago, the youth had entered into a good-behaviour order at the time of these offences.

He has now been charged with driving a stolen motor vehicle without consent, unlicenced driving and being in breach of his good behaviour order.

He will appear before the ACT Childrens Court tomorrow.

Person 4:

On Monday, September 12, a 47-year-old Belconnen man entered into court ordered bail conditions that included to not be in possession of keys, a fob or motor vehicle, report to an ACT Corrective Services Officer and not drive, or be in the driver’s seat of a motor vehicle.

That same day, the man failed to report to the Corrective Services Officer.

Yesterday, police arrested him driving on Haddon Street, Hackett.

The was tested for drugs and and police say he has admitted to taking cannabis and methylamphetamine.

Further police checks also indicated that the man’s vehicle was unregistered and uninsured on top of his being unlicenced.

He will appear in the ACT Magistrate’s Court tomorrow where he will be charged with breaching bail, driving an uninsured and unregistered vehicle, driving on a suspended licence and for driving with a prescribed drug in his system.

Person 5: 

Last week, a 45-year-old woman entered into court-ordered bail conditions that included residing at her Evatt home.

On Tuesday, ACT Corrective Services were advised that the woman had not returned home. They alerted  police to her breach of bail conditions.

Officers patrolling Narrabundah yesterday arrested the woman at a Narrabundah bus stop.

While ACT Policing refused watch house bail, the 45-year-old was given bail by the ACT Magistrate’s Court that same day.

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