Tennant Creek, Alice Springs police arrest four alleged drink drivers

NT Police have recorded a ‘shocking’ night of drink drivers after a higher than usual number of people allegedly got behind the wheel after a big night out.

A Northern Territory police vehicle out the from of Alice Springs police station. Picture: Gera Kazakov generic

August 30: Cops are warning Territorians to organise a sober driver if they plan to get on the booze, after an unusually high number of drink driving incidents in the past 24 hours.

Southern Watch Commander Mick Fields said police arrested three people in Tennant Creek and one in Alice Springs after they were allegedly caught behind the wheel with too much alcohol in their system.

Sergeant Fields said the high number of drunk drivers throughout the period – three of which allegedly returned blood alcohol readings almost four times the legal limit – was “shocking” and unusual.

The legal recorded alcohol limit for drivers in the Territory is 0.05, and 0 for learner drivers.

In Tennant Creek, Sergeant Fields said cops arrested a 60-year-old man with a reading of 0.197 at 9pm.

He said the man was charged with high range drink driving, disqualified driving, and driving an unregistered and unlicensed vehicle.

Sergeant Fields said police in a separate incident arrested a 45-year-old man who allegedly returned a reading of 0.189 at 2.45am.

The man was charged with high range drink driving, driving unlicensed, and driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle at 2.45am.

In a third incident, he said police also arrested a 37-year-old woman at 3.20am after she allegedly returned a result of 0.186.

Sergeant Fields said the woman was arrested and charged with high range drink driving, disqualified driving, and driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.

In Alice Springs, Sergeant Fields said police charged a 32-year-old man with low range drink driving after he allegedly blew 0.056 about 9am Wednesday.

The road death toll in the Northern Territory so far in 2024 sits at 45, compared to 9 this time last year and a total of 31 for 2023.

Red Centre L-plater caught in alleged morning drink-drive bust

August 29: An L-plater has been busted after they were allegedly caught driving with almost four times the legal limit in their system, and failing to display their yellow plates.

Southern Watch Commander Mick Fields said police caught the 19-year-old during a random breath test on Larapinta Drive at 9.20am on Wednesday.

Sergeant Fields alleged the teen returned a positive result before he was arrested and taken to the Alice Springs Watch House.

He said further alcohol and drug testing returned an alleged result of 0.190.

The teenager was charged with high range drink driving, learner driver driving without a licensed driver, and failing to display L plates.

In a separate incident, Sergeant Fields said police were on the hunt for a stolen Foodbank ute.

He said the white work ute was reported stolen from Ciccone about 5pm Wednesday.

He asked those with information about the vehicle’s whereabouts to contact police on 131 444.

Police search for three men allegedly involved in robbery

August 27: Northern Territory police say they are searching for three males in relation to an alleged aggravated burglary in the Red Centre.

Police said the incident occurred in the Alice Springs suburb of Eastside on Sunday, August 25, but on Tuesday, August 27, they put out a call for the public’s help to locate three men they believed were involved.

“One man is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, aged between 18-25, with a short black goatee, wearing a green basketball jersey with “Chicago 1” written in red, and a black cap with red lettering,” police said.

“The second is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, aged between 20-30, wearing a grey hoodie with distinctive black and white striped detailing.

“The third is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, aged between 20-30, wearing a black T-shirt with white lettering on the front, and a black cap with white writing.”

Police said anyone with knowledge of these men, or who can identify them, should contact them on 131 444, quoting reference P24231232.

Alleged bashing in Alice Springs leaves woman unconscious with broken arm

Northern Territory Police. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

August 26, 3pm: A 31-year-old man has been charged after allegedly bashing his partner on an Alice Springs street, leaving her unconscious and with a broken arm.

About 5am on Saturday morning, police received reports a man had allegedly assaulted a woman lying on the ground in Cedar Court, East Side.

Upon police arrival, the alleged offender fled the scene while a 36-year-old woman was found unconscious with a broken arm.

The alleged offender was subsequently located and arrested.

The woman was taken to hospital for treatment.

The man was charged with unlawfully causing serious harm and engaging in conduct that contravenes a domestic violence order.

After facing court on Monday, he was remanded to appear again on October 17, 2024.

Footy, thieves, and fires: Police kept busy over election weekend

August 26: A footy final, break-in, and structure fire kept Alice Springs police busy throughout Sunday and into Monday morning.

Southern Watch Commander Andrew Dunn said a large crowd gathered at a grand final footy match on Sunday afternoon, with most in attendance proving very well-behaved.

But Sergeant Dunn said a few “minor disturbances” were reported after the final whistle.

He said three people who were allegedly carrying weapons were arrested and charged in relation to the incident.

Sergeant Dunn said the trio had been bailed to appear in the Alice Springs Local Court next month.

He said there were a “fair few” onlookers surrounding the alleged incident.

In a separate incident, Sergeant Dunn said a 66-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted when two men broke into her home about 10am Sunday.

He alleged the woman was asleep in her bedroom when the pair entered her East Side home.

Sergeant Dunn said the men allegedly woke her up and demanded car keys from her.

He said one of the men allegedly punched the woman in the chest during a brief scuffle, after which he stole her handbag.

He said the woman did not require medical treatment.

Sergeant Dunn said the pair allegedly fled in a silver sedan with a black bonnet, and he urged anyone with information or CCTV footage of the vehicle in the area of Coolibah Cres to contact police on 131 444, quoting P24231232.

In a third incident, Sergeant Dunn said police and fireys responded to a structure fire in Ciccone about 4am Monday.

He said the fire destroyed a Fogarty St residence, which was located beside a business’ main shed.

Sergeant Dunn said the structure was unoccupied at the time and though the fire was contained to the residential component of the property, the business shed sustained “residual smoke damage”.

He said it was unclear how the fire was started but a crime scene had been declared, with investigators to arrive on scene on Monday morning.

Originally published as Tennant Creek, Alice Springs police arrest four alleged drink drivers