Alice Springs police travelling to Yuendumu to investigate house fire as man arrested

Alice Springs police are en route to Red Centre community to investigate an arson attack, as a man is arrested. Read the latest.

Police are appealing for information after a shocking late-night assault left a man injured in the heart of 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.

April 1, 12pm: A 45-year-old man is in custody as investigators from Alice Springs travel to a Red Centre community to investigate an alleged arson incident.

NT Police said the alleged arson occurred in Yuendumu, about 290km northwest of Alice Springs, on Monday evening.

Police said an empty house in the community was “deliberately lit” about 6.40pm.

The kitchen of the building “sustained moderate damage” as a result of the fire, police said.

The house was empty at the time and a crime scene has been established as investigators from Alice Springs travel to the community.

No injuries were reported.

Police did not mention if the 45-year-old man arrested had been charged.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote P25087963 in relation to the incident.

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

Scooter attack in Alice Springs: police seek witnesses

March 31, 3:46pm: Northern Territory Police are calling for public assistance after a man was knocked unconscious in a violent assault on Todd St early Saturday morning.

Authorities say the incident occurred just after midnight when “a group of unknown male youths were allegedly causing a disturbance” in the area.

A nearby man intervened, attempting to move them along, when one of the youths allegedly “threw a scooter at him”.

The impact struck him in the head, rendering him unconscious.

Security staff from a nearby venue rushed to his aid, providing first aid before St John Ambulance transported him to hospital.

By the time police arrived, the group of offenders had fled the scene.

Investigations are ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Witnesses can contact police on 131 444, or provide anonymous reports through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Stolen cars ‘driven recklessly’ in Red Centre capital, later dumped

March 31, 11am: Two stolen cars have been “driven recklessly” through the Alice Springs CBD before being dumped, according to police, as the thieves remain on the run.

NT Police said the two cars were stolen from a home in Eastside and were spotted on CCTV “being driven recklessly” on Todd Street in the early hours of Monday.

One car was a white Haval SUV while the other was a silver Mazda hatchback.

Police allege the driver of the Haval was tailing a security vehicle and “attempting to ram it”.

“However no contact was made,” police said.

Strike Force Viper members later found the two stolen cars dumped on Coolibah Crescent in Eastside.

Both cars are now undergoing forensic examination, according to police, as an unknown number of offenders remain on the run.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference P25087519.

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

Cops swarm to arrest man allegedly armed with ‘offensive weapon’ on busy NT road

Multiple police were witnessed making an arrest on the corner of Larapinta Dr and Norman Jones St, Alice Springs, March 28, 2025.

March 31, 10am: A 53-year-old man has been “arrested without incident” on a busy Alice Springs road by dozens of police officers.

In a statement, NT police said the man, who allegedly had an edged weapon, was arrested midday on Friday after he allegedly “kicked and banged” on the doors of a non-government organisation on Leichhardt Terrace.

Staff locked the doors and called the police, the statement said.

He fled the scene, before he was arrested on the corner of Larapinta Dr and Norman Jones Rd, police said.

Five police cars were at the scene, an NT News reporter observed, with about half a dozen officers there for the arrest.

The man was travelling on an electric bike, the statement said.

The edged weapon allegedly in the man’s possession was seized and he was charged to appear in court at a later date.

His charges and court date are unknown at this stage.

Originally published as Alice Springs police travelling to Yuendumu to investigate house fire as man arrested