Operation TORIC, the new ACT Policing taskforce established last month to address an increase in motor vehicle thefts and associated dangerous driving, arrested two more offenders yesterday. The taskforce has made 33 arrests and laid 115 charges since it began in August.

A 30-year-old Higgins man faced the ACT Magistrates Court today, Wednesday 7 September, after he allegedly engaged in a series of thefts and the unauthorised sale of a vehicle.  

About 3.45am on Saturday 13 August, a Ford Ranger utility was stolen from a residence in Gundaroo. A few days later, police received reports of number plates being stolen from vehicles at a residence in Dunlop.  

The Ford Ranger was later observed pulling into a service station in Charnwood where the passenger of the car filled up the tank with fuel before the driver left without paying.  

About 6.40am on Monday 5 September, a Subaru Forester was stolen from a residence in Coombs.  

Yesterday, Tuesday 6 September, police conducting routine patrols observed both the Ranger and Forester leaving a residence in Yarralumla.

Officers followed the vehicles to a metal scrap yard and observed a man allegedly sell the Subaru Forester for scrap before leaving in the Ford Ranger.  

The man and his passenger were arrested a short time later while they attended a Mitchell takeaway store.  

The man has been charged with two counts of driving a motor vehicle without consent, two counts of numberplates being issued for another vehicle, and single counts of driving while disqualified, obtaining financial advantage by deception, and theft.  

He is set to face the ACT Magistrates Court today where police will oppose bail. 

The female passenger was charged with one count of ride/drive a motor vehicle without consent. She was provided police bail to attend court at a later date.  

Police are urging Canberrans to secure their vehicles and homes following continuing easy vehicle thefts. The majority of vehicle thefts in the ACT have been stolen with the vehicle’s key. 

“Lock your home. Lock your car – every time. And do not leave valuables in your vehicle,” ACT Policing advised in a media statement. 

ACT Policing is also warning the community about the risk of number plate theft; criminals regularly steal number plates and place them on a stolen vehicle to avoid police detection.  

“Canberrans can secure their plates with tamper-proof screws – available free at all police stations,” the statement concluded.

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