NT Police hunt man after overnight Katherine home invasion
A Katherine woman was struck in the head when she discovered a young man had allegedly broken into her home. Read the latest Top End crime news.
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Welcome to the NT News’ weekly Top End rolling police, crime, traffic, fire and breaking news blog. Keep up with the latest in the Top End – from Katherine to Darwin, West Daly, Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands.
January 4, 6am: General duties officers are investigating a home invasion in Katherine early on Saturday morning.
Police said that at 3.30am they received a report via police communications from a 35-year-old woman that she had been assaulted in her Katherine East residence.
The woman told police she had been woken by an intruder rummaging through her house. When she disturbed the man, he picked up and threw a plastic tray, striking her on the head.
The man, who is described as a young Aboriginal male in his late teens or early 20s, fled the scene and has so far eluded police.
The woman was hurt and badly shaken by the incident but was not seriously injured. Police have called for witnesses or anybody with information to telephone 131 444.
Nightcliff servo hit yet again, sauce bottles thrown at workers
January 3, 6.30am: A Nightcliff servo has been targeted for the second time in five days, according to NT Police
Northern Watch Commander Senior Sergeant Steve Rankine said police received reports of an armed robbery at the Shell Reddy Express Nightcliff about 7.50pm Thursday.
A man is alleged to have threatened two staff with a “sharp object” before demanding money, Sergeant Rankine said.
During the alleged attack, Sergeant Rankine also alleged the man threw tomato sauce bottles at staff.
The two staff members were unharmed during the attack and the suspect remains at large.
The incident comes after a shocking week for service station staff across the Top End.
It also occurred about 100m from the Nightcliff Police Station, which local businesses have criticised for not delivering on its 24 hour policing promise.
NYE shenanigans
January 1, 8am: Ten people were apprehended for disorderly, anti-social behaviour by NT Police on New Year’s Eve at Darwin’s Waterfront celebrations.
One incident involved the alleged theft attempt of a reveller’s bag during the festivities at the Waterfront.
Witnesses reported seeing about 10 officers, including a buggy unit, chase after a man down Kitchener Dr, with bystanders helping to point out his path.
“They came from all angles, I could see them running in the same direction,” said Annalise Spurge, who was eating at Bannsang alongside her fiance Lucy on a visit from Canberra to visit Lucy’s sister.
It’s understood the alleged bag snatcher was apprehended with the assistance of bystanders — a couple of young men visiting from Victoria.
NT Police managed to return the stolen property shortly after.
Police Commissioner Michael Murphy, who was on deck to witness his officers effect the arrest, joked he tried to recruit the young men who assisted in the pursuit and arrest.
Commissioner Murphy said he was out at Darwin Waterfront to check in on his officers and thank them for their efforts throughout the year, and would tour through NT Police’s various operations in Darwin, including the water police and the road policing units conducting RBTs on choke points including Dick Ward Dr.
Asked what his new year’s wishes were, he nominated a safe Territory and getting fitter — he is a keen cyclist.
While it was a busy night for police, punters overall were well-behaved and enjoyed celebrating the incoming new year, Territory duty superintendent Evans Kelly said.
“It is disappointing to see any positive RBT results, let alone over 20 for alcohol and three for drugs,” he said.
“With the exception of a few incidents, the Territory welcomed the New Year in a fantastic way, and we are very pleased with the night as a whole.
“We would like to thank the public for a great evening.
“Stay safe and Happy New Year.”
‘Overindulgence’ of drugs, alcohol keeps St John busy at NYE celebrations
A man falling off a two-storey balcony in Katherine was one of the most significant incidents over the New Year’s evening, St John NT says.
Fortunately, the man only sustained minor injuries and was transported to Katherine hospital for care.
In total, St John NT crews attended more than 100 calls for assistance between 12am and 6am on January 1.
Numerous cases involved the “overindulgence” of drugs and alcohol which resulted in ambulance care, St John NT director of ambulance services Andrew Thomas said.
“Unfortunately, we did see a number of our crews reporting getting abused at a number of the cases that they went to,” he said.
“Two of [the crews] withdrew and either went back with police later or withdrew from care, and [St John NT] fully backed them.”
Mr Thomas said St John crews and volunteers also attended the Darwin Waterfront NYE event where there were no significant incidents, but minor treatments.
In total, St John NT had 114,556 ambulance events created in 2024, equivalent to nearly one in two Territorians calling for ambulances.
Man allegedly attempts to strike woman with car in Palmerston
December 31, 3.30pm: Police arrested a 21-year-old man on Monday for multiple alleged domestic violence incidents in Berrimah.
A Suzuki Swift was reported driving erratically through Palmerston and allegedly attempting to strike a woman around 6.50pm on Monday, police said.
Later that evening, a woman witnessed an altercation between a man and a woman on the Stuart Highway around 8.40pm and stopped her car to assist the victim, who accepted transport, police said.
Police alleged the man, armed with an edged weapon, attempted to forcibly remove the victim from the car and pursued her in his Suzuki Swift, allegedly trying to force the victims off the road while driving through Berrimah.
NT Police said they located the victim and driver in Knuckey’s Camp, and apprehended and arrested the offender nearby.
The man was charged with multiple offences including two driving charges, recklessly endangering serious harm, aggravated assault and going armed in public.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out on 131 444 or in an emergency call triple-0.
You can also anonymously report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police search for alleged attacker after Coconut Grove incident
December 31, 3pm: NT Police are calling for information after a woman was allegedly assaulted at Coconut Grove on Monday.
The woman was allegedly assaulted near the Progress Dr and Trower Rd intersection around 5pm, before her alleged attacker left the scene on a bicycle, police said.
An off-duty police officer stopped to assist the injured woman and move her from the road, they said.
The man’s alleged actions were completely unacceptable, acting commander Shaun Gill said.
“Violence of any kind has no place in our community, and we take a no tolerance approach to these offences,” he said.
“We are urging anyone in the area with CCTV or dashcam footage to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number NTP2400133598.”
The incident was partially captured by CCTV and inquiries are being made to identify all persons involved, police said.
Maningrida seizure: Drugs and booze in Santa’s sack
December 31, 6.30am: “Significant quantities” of drugs and alcohol were seized by NT Police in Maningrida over the Christmas period.
The multiple seizures led to a combined haul of 1.2 kilograms of cannabis and 30 litres of alcohol.
Images provided by NT Police show the drugs and alcohol alongside popular household items.
“These significant quantities of illicit substances had the potential to cause great harm had they not been intercepted,” Remote Sergeant Timothy Gillahan said.
“The recent seizures are a direct result of great work from Maningrida Police and information provided by community members.
“We will continue to disrupt the flow of alcohol and illicit substances into the community and restricted areas.”
OTR Katherine targeted again
December 31, 6.30am: OTR Katherine has been targeted by youths, again.
Senior Sergeant Peter Dunne said the latest attack occurred about 2.30pm on Monday afternoon.
The daylight robbery involved three youths allegedly threatening a 64-year-old female staff member with a knife before stealing cigarettes, Sergeant Dunne said.
The three youths remain at large and the woman was uninjured, Sergeant Dunne added.
Knife-wielding youths target Nightcliff servo, OTR Katherine also hit
Update: December 31, 6.30am: Three of the boys — aged 14, 15 and 16 — have since been arrested with charges expected to follow, NT Police said in a statement.
NT Police also allege the group kicked an employee at the store.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to make contact on 131 444. Quote reference number P24364164
Initial: December 30, 6.30am: Four boys remain at large following an attempted robbery at a Nightcliff service station about 7.45pm on Sunday night, police say.
The four boys entered the service station and allegedly attempted to rob the business at knifepoint, Northern Watch Commander Senior Sergeant Peter Dunne told this masthead.
Sergeant Dunne also alleged the boys then left the premises and threatened a man outside.
The four boys remained at large with investigations ongoing, he added.
Separately overnight, a group of about four youths are understood to have attempted to force their way into OTR Katherine on Bicentennial Rd.
A local with knowledge of the situation shared an image of the service station’s sliding door bearing several starburst cracks, and said the attempted entry occurred just after 1am Monday.
“The OTR is busted up,” he said.
“The security guard prevented entry.”
The oldest juvenile looked about 15, he added.
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