Translate
A 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old woman have been charged in relation to an incident last week that saw a shopping centre placed into lockdown.
About 3.15pm last Thursday (27 February 2025) police received reports that a male was threatening people in the Canberra Outlet Centre with a machete.
Following investigations, it was confirmed that the boy and a woman had been in the centre for a period of time before entering a store and allegedly stealing a pair of shoes.
When they were confronted, the boy produced the machete and threatened staff and members of the public.
The pair fled the centre immediately after the confrontation. While no persons were physically injured, this was a confronting incident for shop staff and witnesses.
Yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, 5 March 2025) police located an allegedly stolen vehicle with three people inside in Bonython. Despite efforts to evade police, including ramming a police vehicle, two 17-year-old boys and a 19-year-old woman were removed from the vehicle and placed under arrest.
One officer sustained injuries to his hand during the incident and will require surgery.
One boy was subsequently charged with offences including joint commission aggravated robbery, acting to cause public alarm, possessing an offensive weapon with intent, and driving a motor vehicle without consent.
The woman was charged with aggravated robbery in company.
The second 17-year-old boy was subject to an arrest warrant after failing to appear in court on unrelated charges.
Investigations into the activities of all three people arrested are continuing and further charges are expected to be laid.
They are all scheduled to appear in court today (Thursday, 6 March 2025) where bail will be opposed.