A 35-year-old Bonython man and a 41-year-old O’Connor woman will face the court today on a total of 15 charges after being arrested by ACT Policing’s Operation Toric.

On Friday 13 January, a silver Ford Futura station wagon was stolen from Braddon. It was detected by an ACT Policing vehicle’s automatic number plate recognition system the following day, with stolen number plates affixed.  

About 5pm, Operation Toric members observed the Futura being driven into a Bonython unit complex, where two officers directed the driver to stop. Police will allege he failed to do so, and drove at the officers; however, the vehicle received a punctured tyre from police road spikes as it was driven away. 

A short time later the Futura crashed into a gutter near the intersection of Rowland Rees Crescent and Athllon Drive, Greenway, and police received reports that three people had fled the scene. An AFP Canine team located the man in the Tuggeranong Bus Interchange, where he was arrested, and taken to the ACT Watch House. 

The woman presented herself at City Police Station later on Saturday evening, and placed under arrest. 

Operation Toric officers have charged the man with driving a motor vehicle without consent, unlawful possession of stolen property, use of a number plate issued to another vehicle, failing to stop, aggravated dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified.  

The man was also charged by officers from ACT Policing City Patrol with three counts of damaging property, two counts of obtaining property by deception, burglary and theft. These charges arise from offences committed in late December 2022 and early January 2023.  

He will appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today where police will oppose any requests for bail by the man who is currently subject to good behaviour obligations and on a suspended sentence for more than 20 offences.  

Both Operation Toric and City Patrol members expect to lay further charges against the man. 

The woman, who was on bail, will also face court today charged with riding in a vehicle without consent.  

Investigations are continuing into the whereabouts of the second passenger who fled the stolen Futura on Saturday, and police are seeking any dash-cam footage or anyone who witnessed the crash or its driving manner before it crashed.

Anyone with such information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website. Information can be given anonymously, please quote reference 7324636.