A 30-year-old Wanniassa man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today charged in relation to a string of aggravated robberies, after members of the public pursued and detained him following a robbery in Gowrie on Sunday.  

ACT Policing allege that about 6.20am on Sunday 20 November, the man committed an aggravated robbery at the Manuka Newsagency, located on Flinders Way, Griffith. During the robbery, the offender allegedly stole a sum of money and assaulted a staff member with a small hatchet. 

About 9.40am the same day, police allege the man committed an aggravated robbery at the Gowrie IGA supermarket, located on Jeffries Street, Gowrie. The offender again produced a small hatchet and demanded money, before fleeing the scene on foot with a sum of cash.  

Following this incident, the man was pursued and detained by members of the public before police attended a short time later and took the man into custody. 

The man has been charged with aggravated robbery (two counts), unlawful possession of stolen property, possess offensive weapon with intent, use offensive weapon to hinder own detention, and breach of parole.  

Police have also charged the man in relation to a further aggravated robbery that occurred at the Kambah IGA, located on Castley Circuit, Kambah about 2.20pm on Sunday 13 November. The man will face an additional aggravated robbery charge in relation to this incident.

ACT Policing urges anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour, or the incidents in Manuka or Gowrie, and has not yet spoken to police to come forward by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7275960. Information can be provided anonymously.

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