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Strike Force Trident investigating three stolen cars in Berrimah, Nightcliff

Car thieves have stolen three cars from Nightcliff and Berrimah, reinvigorating one of 2022’s biggest crime trends. Here’s how police are responding.

NT Police are calling for witnesses to an alleged break in on Sunday morning. Picture: Glenn Campbell
NT Police are calling for witnesses to an alleged break in on Sunday morning. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A major issue NT Police identified in 2022 has already reared its head in the new year.

Officers said three cars were stolen from Berrimah and Nightcliff on Thursday morning.

It is understood one of the stolen cars was a black Great Wall, with police searching for a group of people.

Police said the group was likely “opportunistic” and was not targeting any particular makes or models, though police last year said HiLux utes and LandCruisers were common targets.

NT Police Detective Acting Superintendent John Ginnane in November said stolen cars were used several times in ram raid activity early in 2022.

“That, thankfully, has dropped off,” Superintendent Ginnane said at the time.

Motor vehicle theft was up 19.71 per cent in the 12 months to November, though police said it occurred in fits and starts.

Police on Thursday said Strike Force Trident was currently searching for three people involved in stealing the cars from Berrimah and Nightcliff.

Teens steal rifle, ammo from car in Darwin city

A “substantial police response” was launched to recapture a rifle and ammunition allegedly stolen from a parked car near the Darwin Waterfront.

A 13-year-old boy was one of four people allegedly involved in the incident on Monday.

Police say the hunting equipment was stolen from a parked car on Kitchener Dr, receiving reports of the theft about 2.20pm.

The alleged offenders were tracked on CCTV heading towards the Esplanade on foot before

Strike Force Trident, Serious Crime, dog squads, forensics and general duty officers were all deployed.

An 18-year-old man was the first to be arrested with police finding the teen at a service station on Smith St.

Three males aged 13, 17, and 21 were arrested a short time later at a residence, also on Smith St in the CBD.

Police recovered all items alleged to have been stolen, at the residence.

The 17, 18 and 21-year-olds remained in custody and were on Tuesday expected to be charged with stealing and damage to property.

The 13-year-old was dealt with under the provisions of youth justice laws.

Acting Superintendent Mark Bland said a “substantial police response” helped recover the weapon.

“This is a timely reminder to all firearm owners to always ensure you have your firearms securely stored when not in use,” he said.

“Anyone with information is urged to make contact on 131 444.”

Double servo robberies result in arrests of two teen girls, one young woman

Staff at two Darwin service stations have become the latest victims of crime after allegedly being threatened by groups of offenders overnight Monday.

A significant police response including Serious Crime, Strike Force Trident, dog squads and forensics were all deployed to Parap and Fannie Bay on Monday night.

Police say two service stations, one on Ross Smith Ave and one on the Stuart Hwy, were unlawfully entered by separate groups between 9pm and 10pm.

Employees were allegedly threatened in both instances and small items were stolen before the offenders, many of them youths, attempted to flee the scene.

A 21-year-old female was arrested at the Parap service station a short time after the incident.

She was expected to be charged with assault with intent to steal on Tuesday.

CCTV also captured three males and another female entering the petrol station.

Police arrested two 14-year-old girls allegedly involved in the Fannie Bay servo robbery on finding them at Ludmilla residences shortly after the incident.

They were expected to be charged with robbery in company on Tuesday.

Another girl, aged 13, was allegedly involved in the incident as well.

Investigations into both incidents remain ongoing and police said they did not believe they were linked.

“Police are urging anyone who witnessed, or who has information on either incident to make contact on 131 444,” Acting Superintendent Mark Bland said.

“You can also make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

Four youths arrested after alleged servo armed robbery

Four youths, including one as young as 11, have been arrested after an alleged servo robbery on New Year’s Day.

About 1am, police received reports four female youths had broken into a service station on Trower Rd in Casuarina with a blunt weapon.

Police allege the group threatened an employee with the blunt weapon before stealing a number of small items and fleeing the scene.

The youths were identified by Strike Force Trident officers before all four were arrested at different residences in Darwin at about 8.20am.

Three 14-year-old girls were charged with aggravated robbery, damage to property and two counts each of unlawful entry and stealing.

They were bailed and expected to face court at a later date.

Police said an 11-year-old would be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act 2005.

“This sort of behaviour is unacceptable and no one deserves to be physically threatened in their place of work,” Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Bland said.

He urged anyone who witnesses similar incidents to contact police on 131444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.

Originally published as Strike Force Trident investigating three stolen cars in Berrimah, Nightcliff

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/top-end-women-allegedly-used-an-axe-and-hammers-to-break-in-to-a-service-station/news-story/17f9347b14d309e6ec8290442bafd1cf