ACT Policing is seeking witnesses after two men had their mobile phones stolen and one of them was assaulted during connected incidents in Canberra City in the early hours of this morning (October 30).
In the first incident, the victim handed his mobile telephone to a man on City Walk about 3.25am after the man asked to borrow it. The victim then gave chase as the man ran in to Glebe Park with the phone. The victim was then assaulted in the park by a group of three men, who also removed an amount of cash from his wallet. He was not injured during the robbery.
A second man then attended City Police Station shortly afterward to report that his phone had been stolen in a similar incident.
The second victim had been walking on Nangari Street, near the Convention Centre, about 3.40am when he was approached by a group of four males who asked to borrow his phone. When he handed the phone over, one of the men ran away with it whilst the other males encouraged the victim to give chase. He did not give chase, instead promptly reporting the incident to police.
Police believe both incidents were pre-planned and involved the same offenders.
Investigating officers located two people of interest in the area a short time after the incidents and these men are assisting police with their inquiries. However, officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed either of these incidents, or any similar incidents, or who may know the identity of the offenders.
Anybody with any information about this crime or any other crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Report Crime Online.