Northern Territory Police arrested three people in relation to several property crimes in Alice Springs yesterday.
Police allege the trio came into possession of a stolen vehicle in the early hours of 11 April, and subsequently used the vehicle to force entry to a storage room at a licenced premises in Eastside shortly after 2:30am.
Police further allege the same stolen vehicle was used around 3am in an unlawful entry at a sporting venue in Connellan, causing extensive property damage. The same vehicle was used again to gain entry to a licenced premises in The Gap around 3:40am. Several cartons of alcohol were stolen from this location.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Evan Kelly said, “Police observed the stolen vehicle around 6:30am and directed the driver to stop. The driver allegedly responded aggressively, accelerating towards an unmarked police vehicle. Police successfully deployed a tyre deflation device. The stolen vehicle collided with a vehicle being driven by a member of the public before coming to a stop on South Terrace.
Detectives from Strike Force Viper arrested the driver and two occupants of the stolen vehicle, who were conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital as a precautionary measure before being transported to the Alice Springs Watch House, where they were charged and remanded in custody to appear in Alice Springs Local Court today.
The driver of the other vehicle was uninjured.
A 30-year-old man has been charged with:
- 3 x Aggravated unlawful entry – building
- 3 x Damage to property
- 1 x Stealing
- 1 x Aggravated unlawful use motor vehicle
- 1 x Drive unlicensed
- 1 x Drive recklessly
- 1 x Reckless endanger serious harm
- 1 x Fail to supply sample
A 26-year-old man has been charged with:
- 3 x Aggravated unlawful entry – building
- 3 x Damage to property
- 1 x Stealing
- 1 x Aggravated unlawful use motor vehicle
A 19-year-old male was charged with:
- 1 x Aggravated unlawful use motor vehicle
“I urge all community members and businesses in Alice Springs to secure vehicle keys in a safe and secure place,” said Detective Kelly.
“Often these offenders are breaking into homes and businesses specifically to steal motor vehicles to assist with further offending. Any vehicle theft that we can prevent minimises potential harm to members of our community and inhibits further offending.”
