Woman threatened, rock thrown at police car as slew of break-ins recorded

A woman’s window was smashed by a group to gain entry into her home – with police noting a recent spike in property offences.

A Northern Territory Police officer in Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov.

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.

June 4, 4:30pm: Police are investigating after six men allegedly broke into a house, threatened the owner, and stole a car in Alice Springs.

About 4:30pm on Wednesday, six men allegedly smashed a window and broke into a house on Joel St.

A 22-year-old woman was home alone at the time, and was confronted by the group, who allegedly demanded she hand over her car keys.

When she did, the group allegedly stole a white Toyota SUV from the residence.

Southern Watch Commander Marc Watson said as police arrived at the property, the stolen car swerved at police vehicles in an attempt to ram them.

The car was then seen driving erratically through the Alice Springs CBD.

Later, the stolen car attempted again to ram police vehicles, with one alleged offender leaning out a window to throw a rock at the K9 unit vehicle, smashing the windscreen.

The stolen car was later found abandoned north of Alice Springs and was seized by police.

Mr Watson said there had been a spike in property offending in Alice Springs on Wednesday, with ten reported unlawful entries and four attempted.

“It’s obviously quite concerning,” he said.

Anyone who may have information on the incident is urged to contact police 131 444.

Anonymous reports can be made online via Crime Stoppers or on 1800 333 000.

Police investigate after five youths allegedly steal car in Tennant Creek

June 4, 2am: Up to five youths are believed to be at large after a vehicle was stolen at Tennant Creek early on Wednesday morning.

At 2am, police received reports that a room at a local motor inn had been allegedly entered by unknown offenders, and that vehicle keys had been stolen.

The alleged offenders took a white Ford Ranger which was parked at the motor inn car park.

Southern Watch Commander Senior Sergeant Andrew Dunn alleged the group entered the vehicle, and exited the carpark by ramming the secured double gates, causing significant damage to the property.

Throughout the early hours of the morning, police say they received multiple reports of the stolen car driving erratically throughout Tennant Creek and the surrounding areas.

Police spiked the vehicle at 4:50am on Paterson St and it was located abandoned in bushland adjacent to Mulga Camp.

Mr Dunn said forensics testing had been completed on the vehicle and CCTV footage was being reviewed.

It is believed up to five youths were in the vehicle and investigations are continuing.

Anyone who may have information on the incident is urged to contact police 131 444.

Those calling have been asked to quote the reference number P25150339.

Anonymous reports can be made online via Crime Stoppers or on 1800 333 000.

Police investigate Alice Springs vehicle fire following alleged ‘altercation’

June 3, 9am: Police are investigating a vehicle fire on Barrett Drive in Alice Springs which happened after an alleged altercation.

Police received multiple reports of a vehicle in flames about 8.20pm on Saturday, May 31.

The incident happened after an alleged altercation between a group of three people, two women and one man, before one of the women set the vehicle on fire.

NT Police officers and NT Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene on Barrett Drive and extinguished the fire.

The three people allegedly involved in the fight beforehand are helping police with their inquiries.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, NT Police said investigations into the fire are ongoing.

Anyone who may have information on the incident is urged to contact police 131 444.

Those calling have been asked to quote the reference number P25147814.

Anonymous reports can be made online via Crime Stoppers or on 1800 333 000.

Man and woman arrested after alleged pub assault

June 2, 5.30pm: A duo has been hit with a series of charges over an alleged pub assault, police say, with a Red Centre venue also allegedly damaged by the man and woman.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, NT Police said a 44-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were arrested on Saturday evening in relation to the pub incident in Alice Springs.

Police have alleged the duo assaulted two staff at a licensed premise on Todd St, with the alleged assaults occurring after the pair was asked to leave.

Property at the pub was also damaged by the duo, police alleged.

Police received reports of the incident at 7.20pm on Saturday, and arrested the duo “a short time later” nearby.

Both fronted the Alice Springs Local Court on Monday.

The woman was charged with assaulting police, damaging property, failing to leave a licensed premises, and offensive behaviour in a public place.

The man was charged with breaching his bail, assaulting a worker, assaulting a worker where victim suffers harm, damaging property, failing to leave a licensed premise, disorderly behaviour in the police station, offensive behaviour in a public place, and making threats of injury or causing detriment.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact police on 131 444.

Police have asked reference number P25147763 be quoted in relation to the incident.

Anonymous reports can be made online via Crime Stoppers or on 1800 333 000.

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