Alleged machete-wielding teen accused of Canberra Outlet Centre robbery refused bail

A teenager accused of threatening people at the Canberra Outlet Centre with a machete has been refused bail while his female alleged co-offender has been released from custody.

The incident on 27 February 2025 resulted in the shopping centre in Fyshwick being placed into lockdown.

A 17-year-old boy and 19-year-old woman, both not named for legal reasons, allegedly stole a pair of Nike Zoom shoes that afternoon from the centre’s discount footware store Hype DC.

It is alleged that when the pair was confronted, the boy pulled a machete out of his pants and threatened staff and members of the public.

An ACT Policing spokesperson said 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,” the spokesperson said.

On Wednesday afternoon (5 March), officers found an allegedly stolen Mitsubishi Triton ute containing three people in Bonython.

Police said the driver tried to evade officers and rammed a police vehicle before the three occupants, including the 17-year-old boy and 19-year-old woman, were removed from the ute.

The police spokesperson said one officer sustained injuries to his hand during the incident and would require surgery.

The 17-year-old faced ACT Children’s Court on Thursday (6 March), charged with aggravated robbery, acting to cause public alarm, assault and possessing an offensive weapon over the 27 February incident.

He was further charged with driving a motor vehicle without consent for the incident in Bonython and accused of stealing a $299 Hugo Boss shirt from a David Jones store on 28 February 2025.

The 17-year-old did not apply for bail, it was formally refused and he was remanded in custody.

The 19-year-old woman appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday (6 March), charged with aggravated robbery. She applied for bail, which was opposed by the prosecutor.

During the application, her barrister Keegan Lee argued it was “a particularly weak charge” and the appropriate charge would have been shoplifting or minor theft.

Mr Lee said his client didn’t use force during the incident and there was no evidence she knew the 17-year-old boy would allegedly use force or that he had a weapon.

He said his client was behind the boy when he allegedly pulled out a machete.

Magistrate Ian Temby said the incident would have been “distressing” to those at the outlet centre.

But he said the 19-year-old had not wielded the machete and there was nothing to indicate she knew the 17-year-old allegedly had a weapon or was going to use it.

Magistrate Temby said her involvement was “limited to having a pair of shoes put in her bag by the young person”.

The 19-year-old, seen crying and wiping her eyes during the bail application, was granted bail on conditions including she not contact the 17-year-old nor go near the Canberra Outlet Centre.

The 17-year-old boy cannot legally be identified due to his age, while Region has not named the woman in case it identifies the boy.

Neither entered pleas and both had their matters adjourned to later in March.