ACT Policing yesterday 12 August, recovered a substantial number of tools suspected of being stolen from construction sites across Canberra. 

About 11.25am, officers in Narrabundah observed a grey Nissan Pulsar that had been reported as stolen to police earlier in the day.  

The Pulsar was travelling in convoy with a Black Holden Commodore before stopping in Gymea Street where officers witnessed the drivers moving power tools from the Commodore into a garden shed towards the rear of a house. 

Police arrested a 30-year-old Narrabundah man, and a 27-year-old Narrabundah woman, and subsequent searches located power tools, estimated to be worth in excess of $20,000 as well as a substance suspected of being methylamphetamine. 

Forensic examinations were undertaken on the Pulsar, which has now been returned to its owner. The Commodore has been seized for further examination. 

The man will face court today, Saturday 13 August, charged with two counts each of unlicenced driving and driving a motor vehicle without consent, and single counts of using a number plate not properly issued, refusing to undergo a screening test, and refusing to provide an oral fluid sample. 

The woman will also face court today charged with refusing to undergo a screening test, refusing to provide an oral fluid sample, unlawful possession of stolen property and possessing a drug of dependence. 

ACT Policing urge any tradespeople who have had tools or other equipment stolen, and who can provide serial numbers or other identifying features about them (such as initials), to make contact to see if their tools are among those recovered. 

These arrests were coordinated by a newly established ACT Policing taskforce targeting high-risk driving behaviours and stolen vehicles which are often used in the carriage of other crimes such as burglaries and assaults.     

The ACT Government and ACT Policing have information available online for tradespeople to reduce the likelihood of their vehicles and tools being stolen on the ‘Outsmart the Offender’ website. 

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