Police investigation into Alice Springs ram raids ‘finalised’, no charges or arrests made
An investigation into a ram raid rampage in Alice Springs – which left business reeling with thousands of dollars worth of damages – has been shut by NT police. Find out why.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police have quietly closed a more than six month long investigation into a series of ram raids which occurred in Alice Springs – with no arrests made or charges laid – due to a “lack of identifiable evidence”.
On Wednesday, an NT Police spokesperson confirmed police had “finalised” their investigation into a series of ram raids which occurred in Alice Springs at the end of May this year.
The ram raids were conducted after five cars were stolen from Autocorrect in Ciccone – which had its gates rammed open – with cars stolen from the site then allegedly used to ram-raid Club Eastside and Club Gillen.
A club in Northside was also allegedly targeted, as well as a business on Kennett Crt, police said at the time.
However, the almost six month investigation into the crimes hasn’t resulted in any arrests made or charges laid, a police spokesperson confirmed.
The police spokesperson said the investigation into the crimes was finalised “due to a lack of identifiable evidence”.
“The reviewed CCTV footage and forensic evidence was not enough to identify offenders,” they said.
At Autocorrect, when this masthead visited the scene in May, client’s cars were spray painted and had their windows smashed, with car keys stolen from the safe.
At Club Eastside, the fence was rammed open, with the building’s aircon ripped out after it was smashed with a 5kg galvanised steel pole, manager Josh Brigham said.
The club incurred up to $10,000 in damages, Mr Birgham said.
Mr Brigham said CCTV showed two youths entering the club and discussing which alcohol to take from a list they were given.
“As a business operator, we are forced to cover our exposed brick areas of the building in 5mm steel plates, similar to what is done in war zones across the world,” he said.
Club Gillen suffered more than $20k worth of damage, general manager Ian McCormack told this masthead the morning after the raid.
While the thieves did not get inside Gillen Club, the fence was smashed and the door was damaged from the thieves attempting to “jimmy it open”, Mr McCormack said.
In the first week of parliamentary sittings in the Territory, the newly elected CLP government passed new ram raid laws, making the act an offence.
Police are asking anyone with more information to get in touch on 131 444.
More Coverage
Originally published as Police investigation into Alice Springs ram raids ‘finalised’, no charges or arrests made
$34m for water security in remote NT
Ten remote communities will receive vital infrastructure upgrades, promising to improve liveability, promote economic opportunities, and support sustainable growth. Find out where.
‘Do their lives not matter?’: Woman’s death sparks calls for change
‘This cannot continue’: Domestic violence advocates say a 51-year-old woman’s death in the ‘heart of Australia’ should evoke a national outcry over the rates of abuse in the NT.