Katherine women barricaded in bedroom while machete wielding gang try to break down door

A pair of women were forced to barricade themselves in a bedroom as a group of machete wielding thugs bashed down the door. Read the details.

Police are still searching for three alleged offenders. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

For the second night in a row, Katherine women have been the victim of an alleged terrifying home invasion.

The latest incident occurred on Cox Crescent about 2.30am on Wednesday.

Northern Watch Commander Steve Langdon said the female victim called police as she and her housemate “barricaded” themselves in a bedroom, while a group of male allegedly bashed down the door with a machete.

The alleged home invasion began when one of the occupants interrupted a group of four males coming up the stairs at the back of the house.

Commander Langdon said the group ran to the front of the house and allegedly started bashing down the door with a machete.

The two home occupants then “barricaded themselves in a bedroom”, Commander Langdon said.

The alleged home invasion took place on Cox Cres, Katherine. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

While the two women were inside the bedroom, the group gained access to the home and allegedly started bashing on the bedroom door with the weapon while demanding money and car keys, Commander Langdon said.

The group found car keys and allegedly stole a Toyota RAV4, which they drove through the property’s locked gate and onto the streets of Katherine.

Commander Langdon said there was a short pursuit with the car evading police.

It was later seen at a local OTR where police engaged the group.

The alleged offenders fled on foot with one 15-year-old boy arrested shortly after 3am.

Three other males remain at large, with NT Police continuing investigations.

The vehicle was seized for forensic testing and a crime scene established at the house.

“It was a very traumatic experience for the two female occupants of the house,” Commander Langdon said.

“They will not even be able to stay at their home tonight because the door is no longer lockable, that’s how much damage was done.

“They would be very traumatised.”

Police have a suspicion Wednesday’s brutal alleged home invasion may be connected to another alleged home invasion on Bernhard St on Tuesday. 

To provide police with information on the Cox Crescent incident, quote P25202651.

Originally published as Katherine women barricaded in bedroom while machete wielding gang try to break down door