A 34-year-old Latham man allegedly used a pole to threaten a store employee in City on Tuesday and stole electronic items including mobile phones and other gadgets.
Police arrested him shortly afterwards and recovered numerous stolen goods from his bags.
ACT Policing said about 5.45pm on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the man entered a department store in the City and approached an employee seeking assistance to purchase electronic items.
After the employee retrieved the requested items, the man allegedly moved behind the counter, produced a black pole from his bag and used it to threaten the employee.
The man then allegedly placed multiple items into his bag, including three mobile phones, earphones and phone cases, before leaving the store.
The incident was reported to police and about 6pm, officers observed a man matching the description provided in Reid. He attempted to flee from police but was eventually arrested on Founders Lane in Braddon.
A search of the man's bags located the property stolen from the department store as well as numerous other items suspected of being stolen, police said.
He will face the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday, charged with aggravated robbery with an offensive weapon and unlawful possession of stolen property.
