ACT Policing officers pepper-sprayed alleged car thief

When a trio of alleged car thieves saw a police car pull up, they ran in different directions. Read what happened after police tracked them down.

Court documents allege officers from ACT Policing used pepper spray while arresting an indigenous man in Canberra. Picture: Trevor Veale

Three men have faced court over an alleged car theft following dramatic arrests involving pepper spray in Watson.

A statement of facts document alleges William Brian Lau, Howard Hall and Shane Edmund Johnson stole a white BMW 318i 2003 model from a home in Downer, ACT at 5.30am on October 19.

On Wednesday this week, police were alerted to a home at Irvine, St Watson at 4.20pm after the trio were allegedly seen trying to break into another motor vehicle.

When the officers arrived at the scene, one of the men was seen allegedly walking away from the car holding a car battery.

Police say they found the men at Irvine St Watson. Picture: Google Street View

Police allege the men were later seen walking towards Knox St at Watson but when the trio saw a police car pull up, they ran in different directions.

Documents allege Mr Johnson, ran into the grounds of a nearby primary school on Knox St where police apprehended him.

Police allege Mr Hall resisted arrest which led to an officer using Capsicum spray to subdue him.

Officers found Mr Lau at the carpark of a home on Irvine St.

On Thursday, all three men appeared at ACT Magistrates Court.

Mr Lau was charged with possessing an article with intent to use in the course of a burglary, joint commission unlawful possession of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of stolen property and attempted joint commission car theft.

The three men allegedly stole a white 2003 model BMW 318i from a Downer residence. Picture: CarSales.com

Mr Johnson was charged with unlawful possession of stolen property, possess an article with intent to use in course of burglary and attempted joint commission car theft.

Mr Hall was charged with attempt by joint commission to take a motor vehicle without consent, joint commission unlawful possession and resisting a territory public official.

The men did not enter any pleas and Magistrate Robert Cook denied each of them bail when they applied.

During the bail hearing for Mr Hall, prosecutors told the court he had been released on parole in July this year.

Mr Hall’s legal aid lawyer told the court her client was “trying to improve his life” but had “found himself in this predicament”.

She said following his release from jail, Mr Hall had begun to reconnect with his Indigenous culture and had made efforts to organise employment in Yass.

The lawyer said her client’s partner was in court, and said Mr Hall was a father figure to his partner’s daughter.

All men will reappear at ACT Magistrates Court on November 17.