By Cameron Houston
Retired police officer Adam Sontag deeply regrets his attempt to make a citizen’s arrest in February, when he briefly apprehended a masked teenager allegedly vandalising a sign in Melbourne’s outer east.
Over a 23-year career in the force, Sontag says he developed a strong instinct to step in rather than walk away from trouble.
Former police officer Adam Sontag has been charged with assault after making a citizen’s arrest on a teenager allegedly vandalising signage.Credit: Simon Schluter
However, the former detective next month faces a charge of unlawful assault in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court over the attempted arrest, which he claims involved him holding the boy’s jacket for a few seconds.
The outcome of the case could have a significant impact on the public’s willingness to stand up to criminals and intervene amid a surge in crime rates, particularly youth offending, which has soared to the highest level since electronic records began in 1993.
Sontag held the teenager by the jacket but ultimately let him go.
“There’s a reason youth crime is escalating. When those who act lawfully are met with apathy, indifference or prosecution, fear spreads throughout the community. Victoria Police has lost its way,” Sontag told The Age.
The 49-year-old is determined to clear his name and will pursue all legal costs in his battle with Victoria Police.
He insists there is no prospect of a conviction because of the police’s handling of the investigation, while his lawyer has repeatedly urged the prosecution unit at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court to withdraw the charge.
“I was interviewed by police on February 17 and offered a formal caution that could have made the matter go away quietly. But I refused because I knew my actions were lawful. I explained that I was arresting the individual for criminal damage, not assaulting him, and provided the photos as evidence,” Sontag said.
More than a dozen photos provided to this masthead show the teenager remonstrating with Sontag, who has a hand on his chest.
When confronted on February 14, the teenager denied he had tagged the street sign in Upwey, but claimed he had taken photographs of the graffiti on his phone.
Sontag said he released the boy when he became aggressive, but before he could contact police.
“I had already taken photos of him, and I got others of the same tag on signs, political posters and public infrastructure after the incident, which I later posted to a community Facebook page to help identify him,” Sontag said.
“After seeing the post, his mother took him to a police station and reported that he had been assaulted.”
The sign that Sontag alleges the teenager vandalised.
When Sontag requested Belgrave police also investigate the alleged vandalism by the teenager, he claims he was told by a senior officer that: “We can’t initiate an investigation of criminal damage without the victim making a report first.”
“I had to personally contact each of the victims to encourage them to report the damage. Yarra Ranges Council ultimately did so,” he said.
Sontag is due to face the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court for a mention hearing on June 12.
His lawyer was recently informed by prosecutors the matter had been referred to the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, which could decide if it proceeds to court.
The case has already taken a heavy personal toll on Sontag, who holds a Working With Children Check and was required to notify the Department of Justice and his employer of the assault charge.
The father of four has also been forced to step aside from voluntary coaching roles with junior sporting clubs, while his ability to host a South American exchange student is also under threat.
The teenager’s mother claims Sontag assaulted her son.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed Sontag had been interviewed and charged after allegedly assaulting the boy on Morris Road on February 14.
Sontag is disgusted by the handling of the case by police and is considering civil action against the force.
“I know I was doing the right thing by the community, but why would anyone get involved when the police respond this way? They should be embarrassed, and I’m not going to let this go,” he said.
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