Hackett woman charged with multiple driving offences following three-hour police operation

A Hackett woman has been charged with nine offences following a police operation at the weekend. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.

A Hackett woman has been accused of putting both the community’s “safety and police officers at risk” following a string of alleged driving offences at the weekend.

Sometime between 8 pm on Friday (1 September) and 9 am on Saturday (2 September) a silver Mercedes C250 sedan was stolen from a Macquarie home.

It was later spotted on Gungahlin Drive at about 9:20 pm that night by police conducting mobile patrols in the area.

Officers lost sight of the vehicle in Franklin, but general duties and Operation TORIC officers located and attempted to stop the Mercedes multiple times throughout the night.

It was seen throughout the city, including on Cossington Smith Crescent, Wells Station Drive, Horse Park Drive, the Majura Parkway, Anzac Parade and Parkes Way.

Police said during this time the Mercedes was seen travelling on the wrong side of the road, through red lights and at high speed.

Officers stationed on Morshead Drive, Duntroon, were able to successfully deploy a tyre deflation device on the vehicle, but it was still able to continue travelling along Pialligo Avenue into NSW.

The Mercedes entered the ACT a short time later and was spotted on the wrong side of Northbourne Avenue, Dickson, travelling at a low speed.

A 23-year-old Hackett woman was arrested after the Mercedes came to a stop on Coranderrk Street, Reid, at about 12:20 am on Sunday (3 September) – about three hours after police had first spotted the allegedly stolen vehicle.

During the arrest, it’s alleged the driver released her foot from the brake, resulting in the Mercedes rolling forward about one metre and colliding with a stationary, unoccupied police vehicle, causing minor damage.

The woman was taken to the ACT Watch House and charged with nine offences – breach of bail, reckless driving, driving a stolen motor vehicle, refusing a screening test, failure to stop for police, failure to stop at a red light (two counts), unlawful possession of stolen property, and damaging a police vehicle.

She’s scheduled to appear before ACT Magistrates Court today (Monday, 4 September).

“The woman [allegedly] put the Canberra community’s safety and police at risk by her behaviour,” an ACT Policing statement said.

“ACT Policing will continue to target and apprehend people who recklessly endanger our community.”