A 39-year-old Bonner man has been charged with the possession of stolen items from gravesites in Gungahlin in July.
In late July police sought witnesses to thefts (including items and plaques) from gravesites at the Gungahlin Cemetery.
Following an investigation by officers from Gungahlin General Duties and ACT Criminal Investigations, a search warrant was executed at a Bonner residence on Thursday 31 October 2024.
During the search police located multiple items believed to have been stolen from gravesites at the Gungahlin Cemetery as well as a pump action rifle located concealed within a vehicle seat, ammunition, swords, number plates, methadone and mobile phones.
The firearm is believed to have been stolen during a burglary on a residence in Chisholm in May this year.
The 39-year-old was subject to an unrelated arrest warrant as he failed to appear before the Sentence Administration Board on 28 March 2023, was arrested on 6 September and granted bail to appear before the Board on 10 September 2024. He again failed to appear before the Board on the 10th of September and a further arrest warrant for breach of parole was issued. A separate arrest warrant was also issued by the ACT Magistrates Court in September relation to unrelated criminal matters.
The man was remanded last week and will face further charges in relation to the possession of additional stolen items from the Cemetery in Gungahlin and the stolen firearm from the burglary at his next court appearance on 21 November 2024.
Police have now recovered all items stolen from the Cemetery in Gungahlin in late July 2024, except for a distinctive pink quartz stone that was stolen from a grave site. The stone is around 30-35cm tall with a circumference of about 40cm.
Anyone who can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7812019. Information can be provided anonymously.
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