Hammer and knife-wielding home invaders assault man, police allege

Mustafa Al-Mofathel, 35, was remanded in custody by the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday. Photo: Albert McKnight

A man has been remanded in custody after he was accused of being involved in an alleged home invasion in southern Canberra on the weekend.

ACT Policing alleged that around 11:30 pm on Saturday (31 August), two men wielded a hammer and a knife when they forced their way inside a home in Deakin and confronted the home’s resident.

The intruders allegedly demanded the resident’s car keys and wallet, punched him twice, then fled the scene in a grey Mitsubishi Triton ute and a black Nissan Navara ute.

“The matter was reported to police early on Sunday morning and officers conducting a patrol in Holt located the Mitsubishi Triton in front of a residence,” a police spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said officers spoke to the occupants of the car and, after reviewing CCTV footage from the home invasion, arrested one of the men.

Mustafa Al-Mofathel, a 35-year-old from Holt, was handed burglary and robbery-related charges when he faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (2 September).

His defence lawyer, David Bloomfield, said his client would not make a bail application and wanted an adjournment so he could seek further legal advice.

Magistrate James Lawton remanded Mr Al-Mofathel in custody and adjourned the matter to 19 September. No pleas were entered.

The police spokesperson said the investigation into the identity of the second man alleged to be involved in the home invasion was ongoing.

Police asked for anyone with information about this incident, including CCTV or dash cam footage from around the area, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Quote reference number 7839316.