Pine Creek lockdown: School and council buildings locked down after alleged attempted robbery at service station

A small NT town was plunged into lockdown after an alleged attempted robbery at the local servo. LATEST.

The lockdown was sparked by an alleged robbery at a local business. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A small NT town was plunged into lockdown after an alleged attempted robbery at the local servo.

The town of Pine Creek, more than two hours south of Darwin, went into lockdown after the alleged failed robbery at the United Petrol Station on Tuesday morning.

This masthead spoke to a good Samaritan who helped put a stop to the alleged incident.

The man, who wished not to be named, said the alleged robbery began about 10am.

He said he entered the petrol station and saw a “town local” allegedly robbing the business.

According to the witness, the alleged offender appeared to be “on something”, but was not intoxicated.

It is understood he went behind the counter and tried to steal cigarettes.

The witness, fearing for the safety of the “heavily pregnant” staff member, said he then coaxed the man outside, before the alleged offender left the scene.

A post to the local Pine Creek Notice Board page on Facebook indicated the alleged incident forced multiple buildings into lockdown.

“United Service station, Victoria Daly Council office, library and Pine Creek Primary School are all in lockdown due to an incident that happened in town this morning,” a post to the page read.

This masthead sought comment from council and the school but both declined to comment.

Two local sources claimed the Pine Creek Police Station had been unmanned at the time of the alleged incident, forcing officers from Katherine to attend.

NT Police confirmed the Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre received reports of a robbery at the service station about 10.45am, and a man had since been taken into custody.

“It is believed the incident may be linked to a mental health incident reported earlier that morning,” a police spokesprson said.

“Police deployed from both Katherine and Daly River and have since arrested the man without incident.

“Investigations remain ongoing.”

Originally published as Pine Creek lockdown: School and council buildings locked down after alleged attempted robbery at service station