POLICE WRAP: 26-year-old man arrested after joint operational sting

Territory and Federal police have vowed to continue to fight child sex crimes after they arrested a man in a remote community.

POLICE have arrested a 26-year-old man in relation to alleged child sex offences in a West Arnhem community.

Detectives from the Territory and Federal police joint-anti-child exploitation team executed a search warrant at the man’s residence yesterday afternoon, allegedly locating a mobile telephone which contained child abuse material.

He has been charged with possess or control child abuse material and will appear in court today.

AFP Detective Sergeant Richard Matejic said the investigation highlighted how closely police around Australia worked together to combat the exploitation and abuse of children.

“Anyone who views this material is committing a crime,’’ Detective Sergeant Matejic said.

“Our message to online offenders has not changed – if you procure, access and transmit child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.”

Man charged for violent break-in at Palmerston

A MAN has been arrested and charged with a number of offences in relation to the unlawful entry of a Palmerston home last month.

At the time officers said the incident led to “violent killing” of a dog and the serious injury of another.

Officers at Berry Springs first identified the man at a random breath test operation at Berry Springs.

Police allege he tried to hide his face and conceal his identity.

He will appear in the Darwin Local Court on Thursday, charged with unlawfully entering a dwelling and causing serious damage, three counts of damage to property, possessing a trafficable quantity of a schedule 2 drug, drive disqualified, furnish false name and breach of bail.

The man has been linked to the unlawful entry on February 28 at a residential home in the Palmerston suburb of Driver.

Police alleged at the time that seven individuals entered the home, killing one dog and injuring another while also causing “extensive property damage”.

Police at the time said the incident was being investigated by the Gangs Task Force.

Youths on the run after alleged robbery and assault in Katherine

POLICE are calling for information after a robbery of a business in Katherine at the weekend.

They allege five youths were involved at a commercial business on Grevillea Road at around 5.30pm on Saturday.

A 13-year-old female was arrested before being charged with stealing and assault.

Investigations remain ongoing.

Police are calling for the two witnesses who were inside the business to get in touch with police.

“Police are aware of the identities of the remaining four offenders, however, we are urging the pair who were inside the business to make contact on 131 444 as they both have information that can assist police with their inquiries,” detective senior sergeant Paul Lawson said.

Seven adults break into Palmo Tavern

PALMERSTON Tavern was broken into for the second time in four months after a group smashed the pub’s windows and stole a large amount of alcohol at 1am on Tuesday.

Northern Watch Commander Josh Cunningham said all seven were arrested during the course of the morning and found most of the alcohol.

“Fortunately using police CCTV we’ve been actually able to track them throughout and around the CBD and grab all seven of them at different locations and get all of the alcohol back,” Commander Cunningham said.

“We got all seven back and all in custody at the moment will all be charged for a variety of offences from unlawful entry to stolen property.

Four Alice Sprngs break-ins

ALICE SPRINGS experienced a number of break-ins in the last couple of days with homes and businesses being damaged and items like drills and KTM motorcycles being stolen.

Southern Watch Commander Allan Milner said the first break-in occurred on Goyder Rd in Eastside where a home had an electric drill stolen after the offender entered via an unsecure door.

He said Lil’Antz Child Care had its security screen door jimmied open over the weekend but what was stolen is yet to be confirmed.

Another Alice Springs home had it’s door lock jimmied open and was broken into on Memorial Ave in Gillen between 4.30am and 5.30am on Monday.

“Stolen was an orange KTM motorcycle, not found, and an assorted amount of alcohol as well. forensics services have been requested,” Commander Millner said.

The Arid Zone Research Institute was broken into early Tuesday morning where the front door was forced open and what was stolen is still unknown.

All four break-ins remain under investigation.

Spate of crimes

POLICE have arrested 15 youths aged between 12 and 17 following an alleged “spate” of “violent”, knifepoint robberies and other alleged offending over the weekend.

Speaking publicly on Monday, Detective acting Superintendent Mark Bland said it was “an exceptionally busy weekend” for police “but we jumped on it very quickly”.

Supt Bland said the alleged crime spree included some of the youths allegedly threatening two women with a knife before bystanders intervened and they ran away.

“On Saturday evening a group of six youths (allegedly) went into a business premises in Malak brandishing a knife and stole items from there before proceeding onto an oval in Malak and (allegedly) threatening members of the community at knifepoint, trying to steal items,” he said.

“Thankfully bystanders came in and intervened so the youths fled before anyone got hurt so I’d like to thank them especially.”

Six youths arrested over string of alleged ‘violent offences’

POLICE have arrested six youths following a string of alleged “violent offences” in the northern suburbs on Saturday night.

An NT Police spokesman said five of the youths allegedly stole a quantity of alcohol from a supermarket in Malak before one of them allegedly threatened an employee with an “edged weapon”.

Police say the group then fled the scene and committed further alleged offences before being joined by the sixth youth and the alleged crime spree continued, including allegedly assaulting a man and stealing his vehicle.

They also allegedly threatened two women in a park.

A 13-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, a 15-year-old boy and two 14-year-old boys were charged with aggravated robbery and assault, while another 15-year-old boy was also charged with aggravated robbery.

Two of the youths were also charged with breaching bail and the 12-year-old and one of the 14-year-old were bailed to face court later this month while the rest were remanded to appear in court on Monday.

Detective acting Superintendent Mark Bland said the alleged offences were “threatening and confronting incidents”.

“The community deserves to be able to go about their lives without being threatened and attacked, as do business owners and their staff,” he said.

Three teens arrested after alleged Nightcliff break-ins

THREE youths were arrested for property offences in Nightcliff at the weekend.

Police say Saturday morning, CCTV operators saw three boys allegedly causing damage and breaking into businesses on Progress Dr.

Detective Acting superintendent Mark Bland said one teen was arrested after being found hiding inside a business, while the other two ran away.

Three boys were arrested in Nightcliff after a number of businesses were broken into. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Detectives from Strike Force Trident reviewed the footage and later went to a home in the northern suburbs, where they arrested the two remaining alleged offenders.

A 16-year-old has been charged with unlawful entry – building x 2, damage to property, stealing and serious breach of bail.

Another 16-year-old has been charged with unlawful entry – building x 4, stealing x 3, damage to property x 3 and serious bail.

Both were remanded to appear in court on March 7.

A third 16-year-old will be dealt under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.

Originally published as POLICE WRAP: 26-year-old man arrested after joint operational sting