Police appeal for ‘anyone who might be missing’ after reported abduction in Howard Springs

Anyone who ‘suspects that someone they know might be missing’ is being urged to call police after a woman wearing ‘athletic attire’ was reportedly abducted in Howard Springs on Thursday.

Top End police news.

April 25: Police are appealing for “anyone who suspects that someone they know might be missing” to get in touch after a woman was reportedly seen being “coerced” into a vehicle.

An NT Police spokeswoman said officers were notified of the “suspicious activity” at about 8.20am after a caucasian woman aged in her 40s and wearing athletic attire “was allegedly seen being coerced into a white Toyota HiLux Utility” in Howard Springs.

The spokeswoman said the woman was “reportedly coerced into the vehicle by a man and a woman of Aboriginal appearance” on Thornbill Crescent at about 6:30am, after which the vehicle departed the area.

“As of now, no missing person report has been filed, and police are in the process of verifying the information,” she said.

“Anyone who suspects that someone they know might be missing from the area this morning or anyone with information regarding the incident, especially those possessing CCTV or dashcam footage of Thornbill Cres around the time of the incident is urged to contact (police on) 131 444 and quote reference number P24112816.”

Top End school catches fire, room left in tatters

April 24: A school room has been left in tatters after a Top End school was hit by a fire on Tuesday night.

About 6.07pm, emergency services received reports of a fire at the Alyangula Area School on Groote Eylandt.

The fire was extinguished a short time later, with one room left with significant smoke damage.

An electrical fault was identified as the cause of the fire.

Person dies in overnight incident in Darwin

April 24: A person has died after an incident near the Esplanade cliffs on Tuesday night.

Emergency services were called to the scene at about 8.30pm in response to reports.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said the person was declared deceased at the scene.

Woman dragged along ground during alleged carjacking

April 23: A woman was dragged by her vehicle as it was allegedly carjacked by a pair of youths on Groote Eylandt.

About 4pm Monday, a female worker at the island’s airstrip identified a dog near the runway, according to police.

Police allege two youths, outside the fence line, claimed it was theirs, to which the worker permitted the pair to enter and pick up their dog.

Once inside the fence line, the pair allegedly jumped into the worker’s vehicle, including the driver’s seat.

The worker grabbed the door handle when the vehicle accelerated, dragging the woman along the ground.

Police allege the pair continued their joy ride and picked up another two individuals.

The vehicle was abandoned and found by authorities, with the alleged offenders yet to be located.

The worker sustained head injuries and abrasions from the incident and was taken to Darwin for further medical treatment.

Security guards allegedly bashed in casino carnage

23 APR: A violent brawl has left casino security guards battered and bruised following a violent altercation in Darwin overnight.

On Tuesday at 2.53am, police received reports from Mindil Casino that a group had allegedly attacked multiple security guards after they had been escorted from the gaming room.

Police allege a group of four – one woman and three men – had attacked a trio of security guards in the vicinity of the casino’s entrance.

The alleged offenders fled the premises before police arrival.

Police confirmed the security guards suffered bruising to their face and head regions, while a 25 year-old security guard also suffered a serious wound to his right forearm – alleged to be a stab wound.

The incident has been handed to the Serious Crime Squad. Anyone with information or footage is urged to contact police on 131 444.

Man allegedly shot with arrow after remote community brawl

22 APR: A man has been shot in the stomach with an arrow after his group was allegedly involved in an intercommunity brawl in the Victoria River Region.

On Saturday night, police received multiple reports of disturbances in the community of Daly River

Police then received information that about 7pm a troop carrier with a group of up to 20 people had left Peppimenarti with the intent to fight locals in Daly River.

When the troop carrier arrived at the Daly River Bridge, it was met by police officers who attempted to stop the vehicle.

Police allege projectiles were thrown at police members, however no injuries were sustained.

A short time later, a report was received that a 20 year-old man had been allegedly struck in the stomach with an arrow within the Daly River community and was conveyed out of the community to receive treatment at Royal Darwin Hospital.

On Monday, Assistant Deputy Commissioner Martin Dole confirmed the troop carrier had departed Daly River without their wounded member.

“At 3.30am, local members advised that the agitating group had been driven out of the community back to the Peppimenarti, minus one of their members who had been (allegedly) assaulted and medevaced back to Darwin.”

Superintendent Paul Faustmann said detectives were investigating the matter.

“The behaviour we saw from a small cohort over the weekend was completely unacceptable. Detectives from Serious Crime will be investigating the incident where a young man was struck with an arrow, and the community rest assured that police are working tirelessly to identify the offender,” he said.

“Attacks on our members will also be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible put before the courts.”

Mr Faustmann said residents were “sick and tired” of the disruptive behaviour.

“The vast majority of residents throughout the region are sick and tired of this behaviour and our members are committed to maintaining community safety and stopping this violence from occurring,” he said.

“Local officers will continue to work with Elders, Traditional Owners and the community to ensure that calm is maintained.”

Young woman gored by bull at Lake Bennett

22 APR: A woman is in hospital after she was gored by a bull near a popular swimming location on Sunday night.

About 7.30pm, a young woman was at Lake Bennett when a bull gored the individual and inflicted injuries to the victim’s neck region.

The woman was taken by friends to Palmerston Regional Hospital to undergo treatment.

NT Health has been contacted for comment.

Man stabbed in the back in Top End adult store

22 Apr: A man has been stabbed in the back after entering an adult store in Darwin on Sunday night.

About 8pm, a 48 year-old man had walked into Sexyland in Stuart Park and asked staff to call police.

Shortly after the man made the request, a woman allegedly entered the store and stabbed him in the back with a 30 centimetre knife.

The victim was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police have arrested a 39-year-old woman, understood to be known to the man, and it is expected she will be charged on Monday.

Police have urged anyone with information to contact crime stoppers on 131 444.

Trailer rollover on Stuart Highway, emergency services on site

21 APR: Emergency services are responding to reports of a trailer rollover on the Stuart Highway.

On Sunday morning, emergency services confirmed officers had attended the site of an incident 23 kilometres’ north of Elliot.

At 12.15pm, PFES confirmed no injuries had been sustained from the incident and that emergency services remained in location to clear the road.

Motorists have been advised to drive with care and adhere to traffic directions.

Investigation launched after alleged assault of five-year-old

Northern Territory Police are investigating the alleged sexual assault of a five-year-old child.

In a statement released on Friday morning, an NT Police spokesperson said the alleged incident, which happened on Wednesday in the MacDonnell region, “involved three male youths”, who they say were known to the young victim.

The alleged incident – which occurred in a remote community – is now being investigated by the Southern Child Abuse Taskforce after a report was made on Thursday.

Officers are working with community members to identify the circumstances of the alleged assault.

“Respecting the sensitivity and privacy of the victim and their family is of paramount importance,” police said in a statement.

“Further updates on this matter will be provided when appropriate.”

Originally published as Police appeal for ‘anyone who might be missing’ after reported abduction in Howard Springs