Alice Springs crime news: NT Police investigating car stolen from care facility on Gap Rd

A stolen car has been found abandoned after it was stolen from a disability care facility and taken for a joy ride which left it with extensive damage. Latest Red Centre crime news.

Northern Territory Police and St John Ambulance service responding to an incident in Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov generic, NT Police

September 20: A stolen car has been found abandoned after it was stolen from a disability care facility and taken for a joy ride through Alice Springs.

Southern Watch Commander Andrew Dunn on Friday morning said a group of unknown offenders entered the building through a sliding door and found a set of car keys on a book shelf about 8pm on Thursday.

Sergeant Dunn said there were two workers and four residents inside the building at the time, though no one was injured or confronted.

He said the group took the car keys and fled the scene in a vehicle, ramming the locked front gates on the way out.

Sergeant Dunn said the gate was left with “significant damage”.

He said the vehicle was spotted driving throughout Alice Springs via CCTV throughout the night but was recovered about 1am on Friday.

Police believe the vehicle – which has been seized for forensic evaluations – was abandoned due to the extensive damage it had suffered.

He said Strike Force Viper was investigating and working to identify the offenders.

In a separate incident, Sergeant Dunn said two wheelie bins had been “deliberately” set on fire outside The Rock Bar on Todd St.

He said police and fire services attended the incident about 4.20am Friday.

Sergeant Dunn said the blaze was extinguished and there was no damage to the business.

He said investigations continued to identify the offenders.

Originally published as Alice Springs crime news: NT Police investigating car stolen from care facility on Gap Rd