Four teens, aged between 13 and 16, are facing charges after a series of burglaries in stolen vehicles came to a head in Conder yesterday, Wednesday 22 June.  

Officers from ACT Policing’s Proactive Intervention and Diversion Team, with assistance from Belconnen, Woden and Tuggeranong General Duties and Criminal Investigation Officers, arrested four juveniles with at least two allegedly committing eight to 10 aggravated commercial burglaries, dating back to 20 June.  

Earlier this week, ACT Policing received reports of a Toyota Prado being stolen by a young man, from an Anytime Fitness Gym in Macquarie, which was then used by a group of teen boys to commit up to 10 burglaries throughout the Canberra region overnight.  

Yesterday morning, it is alleged the teens were involved in the theft of a Mazda sedan from an 81-year-old woman at Weston.  

That afternoon, the same teens then travelled to Club Lime Conder where they again targeted unattended car keys before attempting to find the corresponding vehicle.  

ACT Policing Officers were aware of the ploy to steal unattended keys and subsequently arrested the teens while they were trying to steal a third vehicle from the gym’s parking lot.  

The four teens were subsequently arrested and have been charged with a series of offences including, taking a motor vehicle without consent, driving a motor vehicle without consent, theft, burglary, breach of bail, breach of good behaviour orders, and attempting to obtain property by deception.  

This arrest is linked with Operation Balby, a proactive operation ACT Policing officers are undertaking in partnerships with Canberra gyms to proactively avoid vehicle thefts in the ACT. 

ACT Policing want to remind the community that gyms all over the state are currently being targeted by offenders and want to remind the community to maintain the security of their valuables when attending fitness centres. 

Anyone who can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.  Please quote 714871.