Alice Springs crime: 32yo man arrested, charged after alleged indecent assault of woman

A man has faced court after allegedly assaulting a woman at an Alice Springs shopping centre. Read the latest.

Tennant Creek Police Station. Picture: Alex Treacy

Welcome to the NT News’ weekly Alice Springs and Central rolling police, crime, traffic, fire and breaking news blog. Keep up with the latest news from Alice Springs right up to the Barkly.

Man arrested after alleged shopping centre assault

A man has faced court after allegedly assaulting a woman at an Alice Springs shopping centre.

The Northern Territory Police arrested the man, aged 32, in relation to the alleged indecent assault that occurred in the Red Centre Capital on Wednesday, January 8.

Police allege about 10am on that day, a woman was allegedly indecently assaulted by the man – who she did not know – at the Yeperenye Shopping Centre in the Alice Springs CBD.

She then reported the incident to police, and at 5.45pm cops found the man and made an arrest.

He was charged with indecent touching or act and appeared in Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday, an NT Police spokesperson said.

The man, who was remanded in custody, will next appear in court on January 24.

Truck stolen in Tennant Creek found in Queensland

January 10, 9am: A truck stolen in the Barkly has been found interstate – more than 450kms from where it was stolen – with five arrested in connection to the alleged crime, while another accused remains outstanding.

Late on Thursday, a truck stolen in Tennant Creek was recovered in Camooweal, QLD, roughly 470km from the Barkly capital.

The truck, a Mitsubishi, was stolen from the MSC Freight yard on Brown St, Tennant Creek about 2.15am on Wednesday, NT Police said.

The truck allegedly stolen from MSC Freight in Tennant Creek, which NT Police say was recovered in Camooweal, QLD, on January 9, 2025. Picture: MSC Freight/ Facebook

Police have accused the thieves of ramming “through the locked gates, causing significant damage” to leave with the truck, after they allegedly gained entry to the premises.

In possession of the truck, the alleged thieves travelled on the Stuart Hwy before taking a right on the Barkly Hwy.

“They stopped at a roadhouse on the Barkly Highway and allegedly stole a quantity of alcohol before fleeing east towards the Queensland border in the stolen motor vehicle,” police alleged.

Avon Downs police attempted to intercept the truck, which “failed to stop”, with Queensland police then contacted for help once the truck crossed border.

Over the border, the truck stopped east of Camooweal, with the offenders fleeing the vehicle, while QLD police deployed a helicopter and a police dog, police said.

NT Police assisted, with four adult men and one boy arrested.

Investigations are ongoing.

“One adult male offender remains outstanding,” an NT Police statement read.

Superintendent Katie Hatzismalis praised the collaboration between Qld and NT police in arresting the group.

“Anyone with information about these incidents are urged to contact police on 131 444,” she said.

Posting on Facebook, MSC Freight said they were yet to learn the condition of the truck, but thanked NT and Queensland Police for locating it.

Six burglaries, 122 ‘proactive operations’ keep Alice Springs police ‘busy’

January 10, 7am: A stolen vehicle has been recovered south of Alice Springs during a “busy” 24 hours for police in Alice Springs with saw six burglaries reported.

Southern Watch Commander Brad Wallace said the burglaries occurred in the Alice Springs CBD, as well as Larapinta and Ilparpa.

The stolen vehicle was recovered in Ilparpa, Mr Wallace said.

Operation Ludlow has been out in force through Alice Springs, conducting 122 “proactive operations” throughout the CBD and suburbs, Mr Wallace said.

“It was a busy night for police in Alice Springs,” he said.

Mr Wallace said no vandalism was reported, but arrests were made “in relation to a whole variety of different things” such as “street offences” throughout Thursday night and Friday morning.

Colonel’s secret herbs and spices safe despite NT KFC break in

The front door at KFC in Alice Springs was smashed with a trolley on Thursday morning, January 9, 2025. Picture: Supplied/ Shane Martyn

January 9, 10am: A Red Centre fast food chain owner says he’s four grand out of pocket after the front doors to his restaurant were smashed in with a shopping trolley.

Sam Edelman, the franchisee for KFC in Alice Springs, says the front doors to his joint were smashed at 2am Thursday morning.

The front door at KFC was smashed with a trolley on Thursday morning. Picture: Supplied/ Shane Martyn

“(They) came inside at 5am. Lots of kids over the space of half an hour. Lots of drinks and an iPad stolen,” he said.

He said police attended, but “unfortunately couldn’t get fingerprints”.

“I just commented to one of the police ‘I won’t keep you, I’m sure you’ve got more of these to go’. He held up his hand and said five,” Mr Edelman said.

He said it’s been six months since his restaurant was last hit.

The colonel’s secret herbs and spices remained safe during the break in, Mr Edelman confirmed.

Six arrested in connection to Red Centre pub break in

January 8, 7am: Six people have been arrested 15 minutes after allegedly committing a booze burglary in the Red Centre, as the pub owner says they’re now down $500 worth of stubbies.

Southern Watch Commander Alistair Gall said a group of six – three youths and three adults – were arrested at 4am Wednesday in connection to a burglary to a licensed premises on Todd St, Alice Springs.

The group comprised of three girls, aged 11, 13, and 19, and three boy and men, aged 16, 19, and 42, Mr Gall said.

They were arrested on Todd St, Stuart Tce, and Gap Rd, Mr Gall.

Mr Gall said the group “forced entry to the rear of premises” at about 3.45am.

However, the damage to the premises “doesn’t appear to be substantial,” he said.

The manager of the premises – who didn’t wish themselves or the premises identified – said $500 worth of alcohol was lost in the break in, but no cash was taken.

They believed the entry was gained from the premises through the rear door.

None of the alcohol was recovered, Mr Gall said.

Mr Gall said Strike Force Viper has taken carriage of the investigation, with the group to be charged later on Wednesday.

Woman attacked in broad daylight assault in Alice Springs

January 6, 5pm: A woman is in hospital getting treatment after she was allegedly hit in the head with a “blunt weapon” – with another in woman in custody over the alleged attack.

Northern Territory police said the 32-year-old woman was allegedly struck outside a licensed premises on Todd St, Alice Springs, about 12.25pm Monday.

Police said they attended the scene, where they arrested a 43-year-old woman.

The two were known to each other, according to police, and the younger woman was taken to Alice Springs hospital for her injuries.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or has information relating, to get in touch 131 444.

To report, quote reference number P25005860.

Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Crime Stoppers website.

Security guards, police threatened with ‘blunt weapon’ by alleged shoplifter

January 6, 2pm: An alleged shoplifting attempt has been foiled in the Red Centre – but not before security guards and police were allegedly threatened with a “blunt weapon”.

Northern Territory Police said they arrested a 41-year-old man on Friday in Alice Springs, accused of attempting to shoplift from a store in Braitling.

Police allege the man threatened two security guards with a “blunt weapon” who’d intercepted him allegedly leaving with a basket full of goods at the store on Hearne Plc.

After he was intercepted, he returned to make the alleged threats, police said, where they allege he stole some items.

He left the scene, before police found him, where they allege he swung at them with a “blunt weapon” before he was arrested, police said.

The attending cops did not receive any injuries, police said.

He was charged with assaulting a worker, being armed with an offensive weapon, shoplifting, and aggravated robbery.

He is due to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on Monday.

Originally published as Alice Springs crime: 32yo man arrested, charged after alleged indecent assault of woman