Two 16-year-olds have been charged with multiple offences – including drug driving, driving at police, and aggravated furious driving – after stealing a car left running in a Campbell driveway yesterday, Tuesday 14 June.
About 9.30am yesterday, a Toyota Camry was allegedly stolen from a driveway in Campbell. The vehicle had been left running while the owner was inside the house.
About 12.30pm, police received information that the Camry was in Theatre Lane in the City.
As a police vehicle parked in front of the Camry, the driver of the Camry attempted to flee the scene – repeatedly ramming both the police vehicle and a private vehicle parked nearby, significantly damaging both vehicles.
After multiple collisions, the Camry eventually drove off. Soon after, a 16-year-old passenger from the Camry was arrested at the scene and charged with riding in a motor vehicle without consent and breach of bail.
The Camry was then pursued in Reid before the pursuit was terminated due to public safety concerns.
Police received information that the Camry had travelled into NSW before returning to the ACT near Hume. The vehicle was observed to be speeding, weaving in and out of traffic and, at some points, travelling on the wrong side of the road. Due to the nature of the driving, police did not pursue the vehicle.
About 1.10pm, the Camry was tracked to the intersection of Yarra Glen and Melrose Drive in Phillip. Soon after, the 16-year-old driver was located in a park in Hughes where he was arrested.
The driver, who was on bail at the time for other offences, was charged with fail to stop for police, unlicensed driving, aggravated furious driving, driving a motor vehicle without consent, drug driving, drive at police, damage police vehicle, speeding, and breach of bail.
Speaking about how the car was stolen, an ACT Policing spokesperson told Canberra Daily “it is incredibly frustrating for Police, as we remind Canberrans every year to not leave your vehicle unattended while warming up, yet it continues to occur”.
“We know criminals, every year, use cars warming up as a reason to commit their crimes, so the message stays the same – always lock your car,” they said.
Anyone who has dash-cam footage of the white Toyota Camry driving between 12.30pm and 1.10pm yesterday is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.
Please quote 7135017.
