Daniel Nattrass accused of grabbing two women in Mawson, Canberra

Police claim a man tried to pick up a female runner and carry her away, a short time after he had allegedly grabbed a woman walking her dog.

A picture released by police as they tried to identify a suspect, who is now alleged to be Daniel Nattrass. Picture: ACT Policing

A man has been sent for a mental health assessment after being accused of grabbing two women, one of whom he allegedly tried to pick up and carry away in broad daylight.

Daniel Bradley Nattrass, 31, faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday, charged with two counts of common assault.

Police arrested Nattrass around lunchtime on Monday, bringing an end to a two-day search.

Their investigation began on Saturday afternoon, when a woman told police she had come across a man while running on a south Canberra greenbelt about 3.10pm.

“Police allege that as the woman ran past him, the man grabbed her and attempted to pick her up and carry her away,” ACT Policing said in a statement.

The ACT Magistrates Court, where Daniel Nattrass appeared. Picture: Gary Ramage

“Following a short scuffle, the man dropped the woman and fled the scene on foot.”

Following the release of information about that alleged incident, another woman contacted police and claimed a man had accosted her while she was walking her dog.

The ACT law courts building. Picture: Blake Foden

This woman told police she was heading north on a path adjacent to the same road – Athllon Drive in Mawson – when a man grabbed her about 2.50pm on Saturday.

“Following the interaction, the man continued walking southbound, however turned and began to follow the woman a short time later,” ACT Policing said.

After reviewing nearby CCTV footage, police released a grainy image of a suspect and appealed to the public for help identifying him.

Nattrass was subsequently identified as the alleged offender.

He was then arrested near Hindmarsh Drive – one of Canberra’s busiest roads – about 12.55pm on Monday.

The 31-year-old, from the Canberra suburb of Phillip, did not enter pleas during a brief court appearance on Tuesday.

Magistrate Jane Campbell ordered that Nattrass be taken in custody to Canberra Hospital for a mental health assessment.

Legal Aid lawyer Sam Brown told the court Nattrass consented to such an order, which had been recommended by a nurse who saw the 31-year-old in the court cells.

“Once the doctors are of the view that you are no longer in need of any emergency treatment or care, you’ll be brought back to court,” Ms Campbell told Nattrass.