Group of men who allegedly looted two Canberra Hindu temples arrested in Yass

The thieves left a mess inside both temples. Photo: Sri Vishnu Shiva Mandir, Mawson.

Four men who allegedly broke into two Hindu temples in the ACT within half an hour of each other in late October have been arrested by police in Yass.

Under cover of the Diwali festival at around 2 pm on Saturday, 26 October, a group of four men – with hoodies and masks covering their faces – broke into the Mawson Hindu Temple and stole three donation boxes.

At about 2:30 pm, the same group was caught on CCTV camera breaking into the Hindu Temple and Culture Centre in Florey, where they stole a safe and a further five donation boxes.

Each time, they fled the scene in a black Hyundai with the Victorian numberplate 1EA2AZ.

However, later that night, at about 9:15 pm, NSW Police in Yass informed ACT Policing that four men matching the descriptions of these burglars had been arrested with the stolen property still inside the car.

The thieves were captured on the Florey temple’s CCTV. Photo: Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre, Florey.

The men were charged by NSW Police for driving offences and possession of property stolen outside NSW. One will appear in Goulburn Court on 13 November, and the other three will appear in Yass Court on 14 November.

On Tuesday (5 November), the safe and other items stolen from the Florey Cultural Centre were located in Uriarra and sent off for forensic examination.

ACT Policing has yet to lay charges but said investigations are continuing in conjunction with NSW and Victoria police.

Deputy Chief Police Officer Doug Boudry has also met with Hindu community representatives to “discuss strategies regarding security measures at their venues” and also provide direct contacts to the nearby Gungahlin, Belconnen and Woden police stations.

“ACT Policing is pleased that money stolen from the two burglaries was recovered and has been returned to the Temple and Cultural Centre,” a statement read.

“Both the DCPO and community representatives committed to continue working together to boost community safety and develop community engagement opportunities for police with the Hindu community.

“ACT Policing takes incidents such as these at places of worship very seriously. Temples, churches, synagogues and other gathering places are very important to many members of our community, and so we ask that those who live or work nearby to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to police on 131 444.”

At the Mawson temple, it’s estimated between $5000 and $6000 in cash donations was stolen, and about $6000 at Florey.