Northern Territory Police are investigating a series of vehicle thefts and ram-raids that occurred across the Greater Darwin Region over the weekend.
Two youths, aged 13 and 16, were arrested on Saturday after they fled from an unlawful entry on Sabine Road the night prior. A woman was sleeping when the armed pair entered the property, stealing several personal items and fleeing the scene in her vehicle. The vehicle was later sighted driving erratically in Coolalinga, along with a second vehicle. A police pursuit through the northern suburbs located the abandoned vehicles; after a search of the area, Police discovered the pair hiding nearby.
During the early hours of Saturday, Police were pursuing a stolen vehicle along Channel Island Road when the vehicle did a U-turn and drove at Police. As the stolen vehicle passed police vehicles, the offenders threw machinery out the windows, hitting the police vehicles. The vehicle sped off.
Police later witnessed the same vehicle in the company of another stolen vehicle driving excessively on McMillian’s Road. Trident and Dog Operations members followed the vehicles to Palmerston before one of the vehicles stopped, and the offenders attempted to flee; however, the Police were able to arrest one youth, aged 16. The second vehicle was tracked to Adelaide River and located at the service station. Two offenders sighted Police and fled the scene while the remaining three youths, aged 14, 17 and 17, stayed in the vehicle and were arrested without incident
Just after midnight on Sunday morning, Police attended an unlawful entry at a licensed premise on Chung Wah Terrace in Palmerston. During the incident, the offenders were observed fleeing the scene. Strike Force Trident apprehended a 20-year-old man who was later taken to Palmerston Watch House.
The same premises was unlawfully entered four hours later, with Police attending again and locating two men fleeing the scene possessing stolen alcohol. The pair, 18 and 22, were subsequently arrested and charged.
On Sunday morning at around 3 am, two vehicles were stolen from a residence in Muirhead, and two other vehicles were stolen from separate unlawful entries in Zuccoli. All four vehicles were then driven to a licensed premises located along the Stuart Highway in Stuart Park before using one of the vehicles to gain entry into the building, causing significant damage to the entrance.
Three youths are currently in police custody and assisting with enquiries relating to three commercial ram-raid incidents overnight.
Police are urging anyone with information about these incidents to come forward and assist with their ongoing investigations. These types of incidents affect not only the business owners but also the wider community and the Police are committed to ensuring the safety and security of Territorians.
These incidents remind us that we must all work together to prevent criminal activities in our community. Being vigilant and reporting suspicious behaviour can help keep our neighbourhoods safe and secure.
