Dion Cooper: NT Police search for alleged Covid border breacher

A New South Wales man who allegedly jumped the border on a false Covid pass has been found.

UPDATE: A NEW South Wales man who allegedly jumped the border on a false Covid pass has been found.

Northern Territory Police called on the public to help to locate 23-year-old Dion Cooper who allegedly entered the NT through Camooweal on the Queensland border, 471km east of Tennant Creek, on Monday.

Police allege Cooper provided a false declaration on his border entry form should have entered quarantine.

Police claim the 23-year-old was recently in New South Wales, a Covid-19 hotspot, but there was no information to suggest Cooper had Covid.

Cooper was allegedly spotted in the Darwin area on Tuesday, driving a black Kia Optima sedan with Victorian plates.

On Tuesday afternoon Police announced Cooper had been found and was on his way to the Centre for National Resilience, Howard Springs.

Incident Controller Lauren Hill said Cooper’s alleged actions were not only in breach of the Chief Health Officer’s Directions but create unnecessary risk for the broader community.

“We are currently experiencing community transmission and this sort of reckless disregard is not acceptable,” she said.

Northern Territory Police are seeking assistance to locate Dion Cooper, 23, who allegedly illegally entered the NT through Camooweal on Tuesday, November 15. Picture: NT Police

EARLIER: POLICE are searching for an alleged illegal Covid border jumper as fears grow for the Territory’s growing cluster.

Northern Territory Police are seeking public assistance to locate 23-year-old Dion Cooper who allegedly entered the NT through Camooweal on the Queensland border, 471km east of Tennant Creek, on Monday.

Police allege Cooper provided a false declaration on his border entry form should have entered quarantine.

Police claim the 23-year-old was recently in New South Wales, a Covid-19 hotspot, but there was no information to suggest Cooper has Covid.

Cooper is believed to be driving a black Kia Optima sedan with Victorian plates, which was seen earlier today in the Darwin area.

Incident Controller Lauren Hill said Cooper’s alleged actions were not only in breach of the Chief Health Officer’s Directions but create unnecessary risk for the broader community.

“We are currently experiencing community transmission and this sort of reckless disregard is not acceptable.”

Incident Controller Hill called on anyone who knows of Coopers whereabouts to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference 9849147.

She said Cooper was required to present himself to police at the front gates at the Centre for National Resilience in Howard Springs.

Originally published as Dion Cooper: NT Police search for alleged Covid border breacher