15 May 2024

Two allegedly assaulted in unprovoked attacks before accused perpetrator flees police

| Albert McKnight
Police car

A 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged with assault and other offences. Photo: ACT Policing.

A man has been charged over an alleged violent crime spree, in which he is accused of assaulting two people in unprovoked attacks and fleeing police.

ACT Policing said around 12:30 pm on Tuesday (14 May), he allegedly drove a white Suzuki Swift to a caravan park in Symonston where he assaulted and threatened to kill the first man before driving away.

Then at around 1 pm, police heard reports of a disturbance at Pine Island Reserve, in which it is alleged the man assaulted the second man after ramming the latter’s motorcycle with the Swift.

Officers arrived shortly afterwards and tried to make the man stop; however, he allegedly did not.

“Due to concerns the driver and vehicle posed to the community, a pursuit was initiated, which travelled through Bonython, where the man is alleged to have driven at approximately 100 km/h in a signposted 60 km/h zone,” a police spokesperson said.

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The officers ended the chase a short time later when the man was allegedly speeding northbound on the Monaro Highway, but continued to monitor the Swift until it stopped in Latham, when police arrested the man.

The alleged perpetrator, a 32-year-old man from Charnwood, was charged with two counts each of assault, failing to stop for police and reckless driving, as well as single counts of making a reckless threat to kill and dangerous driving.

He faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday (15 May) and was taken to hospital for a mental health assessment.

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