Top End crime news: Wadeye trade centre engulfed in flames

Emergency crews are responding to a significant fire that has engulfed a trade centre in the middle of a community school. Latest Top End crime news.

Significant fire at trade training centre in Wadeye.

June 14, 12pm: Emergency services are working to put out a significant structure fire that has engulfed a trade centre in the centre of a remote community.

Smoke is billowing out of the OLSH trade training centre on the centre road of Perdjert St in Wadeye.

NT Police received reports the trade centre within the Wadeye school had been set alight about 7am.

There was nobody inside the building at the time of the fire and the school was shut down with no injuries reported.

A fire investigator and detectives have deployed from Katherine.

Police have since arrested a 20-year-old man and 21-year-woman woman, and are assisting police with their inquiries.

The nearby Thamarrurr Development Corporation posted an image of the blaze on their Facebook page, and further encouraged locals away from the area.

Local rangers are supporting police to communicate to people in nearby houses about the potential smoke risk.

Police urge anyone with information on what caused the fire to come forward and contact them on 131 444.

DV accused tasered, charged after weeks on the run

June 14, 9.15am: A man has been tasered and arrested in Darwin after allegedly being on the run for two weeks.

Police allege between May 30, 2024 and June 5, 2024, a 29 year-old man assaulted his female partner multiple times.

Police say they had been actively searching for the alleged offender when he was located in Ludmilla on June 6.

During the arrest, the man allegedly escaped and ran into nearby bushland.

Almost a week later on Wednesday 12, June 2024 the man was found at about 3.45pm in Coconut Grove.

The man allegedly once again tried to flee by attempting to enter vehicles travelling along Dick Ward Drive.

A cordon was set up by police and, after a short foot pursuit, the man was tasered and arrested, police say.

The man was charged with five counts of aggravated assault, five counts of engaging in conduct that contravenes a domestic violence order, threatening to kill a person, choking, strangling and suffocating, escaping lawful custody, resisting police in execution of duty and damaging property.

The man has been remanded to appear before Darwin Local Court on Friday.

Senior Sergeant Robin Kidney said police would allege the behaviour of the man was “reprehensible”.

“This was a prolonged, violent incident and this sort of behaviour is completely reprehensible,” he said.

“NT Police will continue to work tirelessly to hold domestic violence offenders accountable.”

Senior Sergeant Kidney called on witnesses to come forward.

“Officers believe this individual was attempting to enter multiple vehicles on Dick Ward Drive and we are continuing to urge motorists who were targeted to come forward and make statement.”

Youths arrested after alleged Katherine vehicle theft

June 14: NT Police have arrested two youths following a series of property offences across the Katherine area.

Police said a Katherine support vehicle was allegedly unlawfully entered by an unknown number of offenders about 9pm on June 4.

The silver Toyota Corolla was stolen from the premises along with several vehicle keys.

Police allege it was later used to ram open the front entrance gate, causing significant property damage before the offenders fled the location.

CCTV operators spotted the vehicle about 2.40am the following day at Bicentennial Rd, where two youths exited in a failed attempt to refuel the car.

Both youths returned to the stolen vehicle and drove off towards the Katherine CBD, and later abandoned the car in nearby bushland.

The combined efforts of Strike Force Cerberus, general duties officers, Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch, Territory Intelligence, CCTV operators and members of the community resulted in finding the car.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested and charged with one count of driving, using or riding motor vehicles without consent.

Another 14-year-old will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.

Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen Jones said the arrests were a strong example of NT Police and the community working together.

“Property crime will not be tolerated and offenders will be identified and dealt with appropriately under the provisions of the youth justice act and the courts,” he said.

Police urge anyone with information to call 131 444 or report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, and quote NTP2400055328 as investigations continue.

Man’s ‘life-threatening’ injuries after being stabbed in back

June 12: A man has been stabbed in the back during an alleged attack in a remote NT community.

Wadeye district Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson said the 33-year-old’s injuries were “life-threatening” and he was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital after the incident was reported at 10.15pm Tuesday.

Sergeant Gibson said police identified and arrested a 37-year-old man in relation to the alleged stabbing.

She said police seized the knife, and understood the two men knew one another.

“This was a particularly violent incident resulting in very serious injuries to the victim,” Sergeant Gibson said.

“I commend the work of the police officers involved to arrest the offender without incident and ensure no further harm occurred.

“Violent behaviour such as this is absolutely reprehensible, and our thoughts are with the victim as they receive treatment in hospital.”

The 37-year-old has been charged with recklessly endangering serious harm and will front the Darwin Local Court on Thursday.

Police seek public help tracking down robbers

June 12: NT Police have called on the public to help them track down three girls who robbed a Darwin service station.

A spokesman said the Neale St, Eaton business was targeted about 7.55pm Tuesday.

He said the children stole cigarettes, mobile phones, and cash before they fled on foot.

The spokesman said cops continued to investigate the incident and urged anyone with information to contact police on 131 444.

Originally published as Top End crime news: Wadeye trade centre engulfed in flames