Top End crime: Man charged with drug supply after Katherine home bust

A 50-year-old Top End man who was allegedly busted with more than a kilo of cannabis, as well as a loot of rum and beer at home will face court. See the photo.

NT Police are investigating after a Katherine service station was attacked twice this week. Picture: Gera Kazakov.

Welcome to the NT News’ weekly Top End rolling police, crime, traffic, fire and breaking news blog. Keep up with the latest in the Top End – from Katherine to Darwin, West Daly, Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands.

Man charged after alleged weed, booze bust at home

January 31, 10.30am: A man has been charged after more than a kilo of cannabis, an a stash of beer and rum were allegedly found in his Top End home.

The man, 50, was arrested after a search of the Katherine South home by Northern Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk, and the dog squad as well as Katherine criminal investigation branch officers on January 30.

Northern Territory Police have charged a 50-year-old Katherine man after a search of a Katherine South residence resulted in a find of 1.2kg of cannabis, 123 cans of beer and 19 bottles of rum.

NT Police allege they found 1.2kg of cannabis, 19 bottles of rum, 123 cans of beer and an undisclosed amount of cash.

The man was slapped with charges of supply schedule two dangerous drug - commercial quantity, possess schedule two dangerous drug - commercial quantity, and unauthorised sale of liquor.

He was set to face Katherine Local Court on Friday.

Anyone with information on the supply of alcohol or drugs to NT communities can call police on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Domestic violence charges after brutal alleged carpark assault

January 30: Three people have been charged over an alleged assault of a man who was left unconscious and seriously injured in a Karama car park.

Police allege that on January 26, a man was assaulted at the car park before another man was arrested on the scene.

The victim was left with “serious injuries” and was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.

Eventually, another man and a woman were arrested.

All three have been charged with recklessly endangering serious harm, engaging in violent conduct, aggravated assault and armed with offensive weapon at night.

NT Police did not provide the court date for any of the alleged offenders, but said they would appear in Darwin Local Court at “later dates”.

Multiple youths arrested for alleged service station robberies

January 30, 3pm: The NT Police have arrested multiple youths following a string of service station robberies in Katherine across the past couple of weeks.

Youths allegedly threw rocks and other items as they entered the stores on January 21 and 26 before stealing cigarettes and money.

Later, on January 28, multiple youths are alleged to have thrown rocks at a security guard inside a service station, hitting him on the head.

The security guard managed to close the door preventing the youths from entering the store.

Katherine general duties officers found and arrested a 13-year-old shortly after.

A further three alleged offenders aged 10, 12 and 15 were arrested the following day by Katherine Police Strike Force Cerberus, charged with offending from all three incidents.

Katherine police arrested a 12-year-old on January 30, and charged them with the offending on January 26 and 28.

All the youth charged are due to appear in court at later dates.

Strike Force Cerberus is continuing to investigate the incidents and urge anyone with information to make contact on 131 444.

An NTPFES spokesperson said “this behaviour is unacceptable and community safety remains the highest priority for the NTPF”.

Man ‘critical’ after alleged assault by relative in Top End

January 29, 3.35pm: A man who was allegedly smacked across the head with a blunt object by his own relative remains in a critical condition.

NT Police allege a 38-year-old man assaulted a male relative – also aged 38 – about 9.55pm on Monday night at Yirrkala.

The man suffered “serious injuries” to his head and after being taken first to Gove District Hospital, he was transported to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.

As at the time of writing, the man remained at RDH in a critical but stable condition.

The relative was arrested on Tuesday, police say, and they remain in custody.

Support services for those affected by domestic or family violence are available, including 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) and Lifeline (13 11 14).

‘Unacceptable’: Security guard assaulted in servo station attack

January 28, 2.30pm: A Katherine service station has been targeted twice in less than 48 hours, with a 72-year-old security guard injured while trying to protect the roadside stop.

About 10.55pm on Sunday, Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that five kids were allegedly damaging the front doors of a service station on Bicentennial Road.

Staff were able to secure lock themselves in a backroom during the ordeal.

After breaking inside the building, the group jumped the counter and stole a quantity of cigarettes and the cash register before fleeing on foot.

In a separate incident at 12.40am on Tuesday, JESCC received a report a group of five kids were throwing rocks at the same station before fleeing after a security guard intervened.

The group returned a short time later and again threw rocks at the service station, as well as the security guard who was struck on the head.

Police and St John Ambulance officers arrived on-site and provided first aid to the victim, who was treated at the scene.

Strike Force Cerberus members have carriage of both incidents and continue to investigate.

“This behaviour is unacceptable, and no on deserves to be assaulted while at work,” Senior sergeant Warren Scott said.

“We take this type of offending incredibly seriously and will work tirelessly to locate and prosecute the individuals responsible.”

Originally published as Top End crime: Man charged with drug supply after Katherine home bust