Violent Spree Begins with Phone Theft
A 15-year-old boy is in custody following a dramatic series of alleged crimes at a Canberra shopping centre that left one woman injured and a man forcibly removed from his vehicle. The incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon at Westfield Woden, according to ACT Policing.
The teenager is accused of first breaking a display case inside a shop and stealing multiple mobile phones. When a member of the public confronted him about the theft, he allegedly fled the scene on foot.
Attempted Carjackings with a Large Knife
Police claim the situation escalated significantly after the initial theft. The boy is then alleged to have attempted to steal three separate cars while armed with what witnesses described as a large knife.
During these attempted carjackings, the spree turned violent. One woman sustained injuries, though the exact nature of her wounds has not been detailed by authorities. In another separate attempt, a man was physically thrown from his car by the alleged offender.
All three attempts to steal vehicles ultimately failed. Police officers who responded to the scene were initially unable to locate the teenager but did manage to recover a knife from one of the targeted cars.
Arrest and Charges Laid
The search for the suspect continued into the evening. He was eventually located and arrested at approximately 9:30 pm on Tuesday.
Investigators state that they also recovered the phones stolen from the Westfield Woden store earlier in the day. It was revealed that the 15-year-old was on bail at the time of this latest alleged crime spree.
The boy has been formally charged with three counts of attempted aggravated robbery. He also faces single charges of intentional wounding, common assault, and possessing a knife without a reasonable excuse.
He is scheduled to face the ACT Children's Court on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. ACT Policing has asked that any witnesses contact Crime Stoppers ACT and reference number 8214779.
