In a dramatic turn of events early on Sunday, a North Canberra resident allegedly fought off three balaclava-clad intruders armed with machetes, evading blade swings before chasing the gang down and pinning one to the ground until police arrived.
The detained suspect, identified as a 15-year-old boy, was arrested and is set to face the ACT Children's Court.
The weekend incident in Giralang has raised suspicions that the group may be the same armed trio responsible for a string of terrifying home invasions across Canberra, including recent incidents in Oxley and Isaacs. With one suspect in custody, ACT Policing is working to identify the remaining two offenders.
The drama unfolded late Saturday night in Giralang when a 53-year-old man and his family were woken after midnight by intruders trying to force entry through their front door.
"There were three of them, all wearing balaclavas and two wearing gloves," the resident's son told The Canberra Times.
"It's not the first time they've tried to break into our house either. My dad is OK but they took a few swings of the blade at him, but he was able to evade them," he said, recounting the heart-stopping moment his father confronted the gang.
The commotion at the Giralang home scared off the intruders, who fled into the night, but the father and son gave chase on foot.
"We chased them on foot but lost them after a short foot pursuit up the street. Then my dad jumped in his car and went for a drive and kept looking," the son explained. "He eventually caught up with them again and asked them what the f--- they were doing trying to get in our house and that's when the knife was produced and swung at my dad and lunged at him with the knife."
ACT Policing confirmed that the resident confronted two males nearby, where one produced a large knife and threatened him, forcing the man back to his vehicle.
"While returning home, the resident located a 15-year-old boy hiding in nearby bushes and detained him until police arrived. Investigations into the incident and the identification of the remaining suspects are ongoing," a police spokesperson said.
The victim and his son requested anonymity, fearing retaliation especially after they held down the teenager for police.
The incident mirrors a troubling trend in recent months involving a three-man gang armed with machetes targeting homes across Canberra's northern and southern suburbs.
On July 12, 2026, a family in Isaacs was left shaken after three masked, machete-wielding men attempted to break into their home.
"We could see on the footage that there were three people with large machetes, and one was trying to break in. The sensor lights came on and they fled. We were extremely lucky," said local resident Matt. "The police told us the gang had robbed some houses in the north and came to ours after possibly spotting luxury cars parked outside."
A month earlier, on June 18, 2026, three armed men went on a crime spree around Newman-Morris Circuit in Oxley. The gang threatened a 57-year-old woman at knifepoint, stole her mobile phone, and were captured on CCTV entering homes and breaking into vehicles. No arrests have been made in connection with the Isaacs or Oxley incidents.
ACT Policing is appealing to anyone who witnessed suspicious activity on Balamara Street, Canopus Crescent, Chuculba Crescent, or Gundaroo Drive around the time of the Giralang break-in.
Anyone with information, dash-cam, or CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au, quoting reference 8466532.
