Four cars were stolen across Alice Springs overnight

A number of stolen vehicles remain outstanding in Alice Springs after an overnight crime spree.

UPDATE, 9.30PM SUNDAY: ALICE SPRINGS saw a spike in car theft overnight with four cars stolen and still outstanding.

Southern watch commander Andrew Heath said he could not state the exact times the vehicles went missing but a series of car theft was reported over Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

A Ford Laser with a rego NTCD44TE and a Holden Rodeo CB57YQ was stolen from two individual East Side homes.

Additionally, an owner of a red Jeep with a rego CA55NW and a Nissan Navara with an unknown rego had both vehicles stolen overnight in Desert Springs.

“It’s believed that youths are involved, we’ve seen vehicles driving around with youths in them,” Cmmr Heath said.

“However, due to the manner of driving we’re not engaging them in our pursuit as it is too dangerous to the public and to those youths inside the vehicles.

“So we’ll most likely find them today abandoned and once we find them we’ll process them for forensics.”

UPDATE 2PM, FRIDAY: THE Police union has condemned a “disgusting” alleged attack on two officers, who were left bleeding after a rock was thrown through their car window.

NT Police alleged the officers were called to a disturbance in a Tennant Creek town camp at 9.15pm, Wednesday.

It will be alleged there were reports of armed men fighting in the camp, and when they arrived on scene they were approached by a 19-year-old man armed with a knife.

Officers allegedly ordered him to drop the weapon and to stop his approach, and when he refused they tasered him.

Police will allege that a female officer was arresting the 19-year-old when a 38-year-old man ran at her.

“(He) attempted to kick her to the head, before assaulting her with a folded gazebo,” a police spokesman said.

The two officers were trying to leave when “several people” allegedly started surrounding them and throwing rocks at the vehicle.

A large rock was allegedly thrown at the fleeing police vehicle, causing the side passenger window to shatter covering both officers with glass.

The two officers received cuts to the face and eyes and were taken to Tennant Creek Hospital for treatment.

Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Martin Dole said the behaviour was outrageous.

“Officers were attending calls for police assistance, only to be met by an armed and aggressive mob. Assaults on police will not be tolerated,” Mr Dole said.

Northern Territory Police Association president Paul McCue said the shocking attack on the members was another example of on-the-job violence members were exposed to.

“They were doing the job they were called out to do. The behaviour they have been exposed to is nothing short of disgusting,” Mr McCue said.

On Friday NT Police confirmed three people had been arrested, including two 19-year-olds and a 38-year-old man.

One 19-year-old was charged with possessing a controlled weapon, engaging in violent conduct and assaulting police, the other with being armed with an offensive weapon and engaging in violent conduct.

The 38-year-old was charged with two counts of assaulting police, armed with an offensive weapon and engaging with violent conduct.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested and later released to face court charges of engaging in violent conduct.

They will all appear before court at a later date, and the police investigations continue.

INITIAL 12.30PM, THUS: TWO NT Police officers were left with injuries after attending an incident in a Tennant Creek Town Camp on Wednesday night.

Just after 9.15pm the police received several reports of armed people fighting in a town camp.

On arrival the officers noticed two men carrying knives.

One of the men allegedly advanced towards the police and refused to drop his weapon when directed leading them to taser him.

Officers were in the process of arresting the offender when family members allegedly physically attacked the police forcing them to withdraw.

A large rock was allegedly thrown at the police vehicle as it was leaving causing the side passenger window to shatter covering both officers with glass.

Both officers received cuts to the face and eyes and were taken to Tennant Creek Hospital for treatment.

Assistant Commissioner for the Southern Region Martin Dole called the behaviour outrageous and confirmed investigations were underway to identify the offenders.

“This type of behaviour is outrageous,” Mr Dole said.

“Officers were attending calls for police assistance, only to be met by an armed and aggressive mob.

“Assaults on police will not be tolerated and we will be ensuring those responsible are identified and prosecuted.”

Alleged Joy ride ends bad

AN ALLEGED joy ride ended as quickly as it began, after two teenagers reportedly crashed a stolen car metres from a Palmerston home.

Northern Watch Commander Kaye Pemberton said a 15-year-old and 17-year-old boy were allegedly involved in an unlawful entry in a Gunn home at 2.15am, Friday.

Ms Pemberton alleged that the pair broke into the home to steal the keys of an Audi Station Wagon.

She said the young alleged offenders only managed to get 50m down the street before crashing the car.

“I don’t think they could handle the power,” she joked.

“Maybe it was a manual and they’re only automatic.”

Ms Pemberton alleged after the low speed crash the pair ran away, but were later arrested at Sanctuary Lakes Park.

“It’s sad that it happened to the victims, but we’re glad they didn’t get too far away.”

She said they were expected to be charged later today.

Paramedics in shock over crazy day on Territory roads

PARAMEDICS have warned it was a small miracle no one was killed on Territory roads this week as irresponsible drivers took over the roads.

St Johns Ambulance NT Operations Manager Craig Garraway told the ABC paramedics working like “drowned rats” during Wednesday’s torrential rains had witnessed “crazy stuff” on the roads.

“(It) was a disappointing day on the roads and I noticed a lot of people just not on the right thing,” Mr Garraway said.

“People driving through red lights, mobile phones texting while they were driving – just crazy stuff.”

“We’re just lucky there were no deaths, I believe.”

He called for mobile phone sensors to be set up, similar to red light and speed cameras, to catch misbehaving Territorian drivers.

“(It’s) the cause of crashes and deaths. It’s one of the biggest dramas on the roads now, those mobile phones.”

It comes as paramedics responded to three crashes on Wednesday.

Paramedics were called to a buggy rollover on the Arnhem Highway, Humpty Doo.

Mr Garraway said the man was treated for a broken arm, and was taken to hospital.

He said paramedics were called to help two drivers who crashed into trees on Wednesday.

One crash in Alawa resulted in no injuries, while a person was trapped in their car on the McMillians Rd, Stuart Highway intersection following another collision.

Men smashed windows to escape vehicle swept away in floodwaters

SIX people who were stranded in rising flood waters west of Alice Springs were airlifted to safety by NT Police on Tuesday morning.

Police begun helicopter searches at first light for two separate parties whose vehicles had become either stranded or swept away in the flood waters of Hugh River.

Both parties had gone missing late on Monday.

The first found and rescued was a 30-year-old man who had become stranded on a sand island after a camping weekend at Birthday Waterhole.

The man’s companion raised the alarm after she hiked from their bogged vehicle to Namatjira Dr and hitchhiked into town alerting the police just after 6pm.

Flooding at the Charlie Rye Bridge south of Alice Springs. Picture: NT Police/Facebook

Neither had any injuries.

Further aerial observations of the area located a 59-year-old man, who was stranded in his vehicle between the Hugh River and another flooded river to the west.

Due to the potential for further rainfall in the area, the man was airlifted to safety.

Four men had a lucky escape from a vehicle which was washed off the Ellery Creek causeway by flood waters as they attempted to cross it.

The men reportedly used a shovel to smash the windows of their vehicle after water shorted out the car’s electronics and they couldn’t wind the windows down to get out.

All four men escaped uninjured but did not have any food or water. They alerted police via a satellite phone at 11.18pm on Monday.

An assessment was made and determined the men were safe to remain by the side of the road overnight, without putting members at risk to cross several flooded rivers to get them.

Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Martin Dole said police and emergency services have now responded to nine search and rescue operations since the start of the year.

“We have conducted nine search and rescue operations since January 1, 2022, which is a considerable amount of work undertaken by front line members and volunteer emergency service personnel,” said AC Dole

“A lot of police resources are invested into each operation in order locate and recover missing people.

“It is frustrating that people continue to disregard the warnings we issue about travelling during severe weather events as such as these.”

Police rescue family of five stranded by floodwaters

NT POLICE are warning of the dangers of driving through floodwaters after a family of five had to be rescued after becoming stranded 150km northwest of Yuendumu on Monday.

Officers launched the “concerted rescue operation” after the family, including two small children, failed to arrive at Lajamanu on Monday morning.

Police from Lajamanu and Yuendumu were forced to conduct ground patrols of the Tanami Hwy and Lajamanu Rd, a distance of over 580km by unsealed road.

Acting Sergeant Chris Raeburn said there had been extensive heavy rainfall in the region in recent days, with localised flooding and “attempting to drive in these treacherous conditions is very dangerous”.

Sgt Raeburn said the family was located safe and well on Monday night but they were not adequately provisioned.

“Police provided them with food and water before making the decision to transport them to Lajamanu in the police vehicle, as the road back to Yuendumu was impassable,” he said.

“In all, the Lajamanu members drove around 1000km, mostly through mud, to search for and bring this family back to safety.”

Assistant Commissioner Martin Dole said police had to divert resources to undertake multiple search and rescues to retrieve stranded motorists since recent heavy rains set in Central Australia.

“We were lucky this time, but that’s not always the case,” he said.

“Earlier this week we sadly lost a man who entered floodwaters near Tennant Creek. We don’t want to lose anyone else. Remember, if it’s flooded, forget it.”

Officer charged with string of weapon, firearms offences

AN NT Police officer will face court next month after being charged with a string of firearms offences.

A spokesman for the force said the 41-year-old had been served with a notice to appear on charges of possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing a firearm and ammunition without a licence and failing to comply with storage requirements.

The officer is due to appear in the Katherine Local Court on March 14.

The spokesman said the matter was under investigation by Crime Command and the Professional Standards Command.

“As the matter is now before the courts, no further information will be provided,” he said.

“This information is provided in accordance with the NT Police transparency guidelines.”

Maskless man allegedly attacked Tennant Creek servo worker in Covid squabble

POLICE allege a maskless man attacked a petrol station manager and stole a handful of lollies after he was refused service.

Southern Watch Commander Allan Milner said a man was being held in the Tennant Creek watch house for allegedly attacking the worker, stealing candy and breaching the Chief Health Officer’s orders.

Mr Milner alleged the man went to the Tennant Creek BP Truckstop at 8.50pm, Monday and was told he had to wear a mask to enter the store.

Police were told that the man then attacked the manager, damaged the front door, stole some candy before running off.

Mr Milner said the manager was not badly injured, saying “he’s lucky, he’s going to be all right”,

Police arrested the man later that night in Tennant Creek and he was taken to the watch house.

Mr Milner said the man would be formally charged later on Monday, but he has already been issued a $5024 infringement notice for breaching health orders.

Mr Milner said it followed a busy night for Southern NT police, with officers responding to eight break-ins and tracking down two recovered vehicles.

Mr Milner said police were investigating six break-ins at homes at East Side, The Gap, Larapinta, Sadadeen, and Gillen.

He said a 1993 burgundy Lexus 400 was reported stolen from a Kurrajong Dr, East Side home, and two dirt bikes, a grey KTM 300 and a Yamaha YZ450FX trail bike, were nicked from a Lyndavale Dr Larapinta home on Monday.

Mr Milner said one unfortunate tourist came face-to-face with a thief in his Diplomat Hotel room when he was woken up by a “horrible smell” at 1.50am on Tuesday.

He said the man saw a person in his room and chased him out, but not before the thief took his wallet from the room.

Braitlings business, Territory Electrical and Refrigeration was also targeted by thieves who broke into an unsecured shed to take a “very large” quantity of alcohol sometime between Sunday 5pm and Monday 8.30am.

Mr Milner said all investigations were ongoing.

Humpty Doo school closed after large overnight blaze

THE start of the school year has gone up in smoke for the students of a Humpty Doo school after an electrical spark caused significant damage to classrooms.

Northern Watch Commander Kaye Pemberton said Taminmin College had closed after an electrical fire caused extensive damage.

Ms Pemberton said fire crews were called to the structure fire after the alarms were triggered at 11.15pm, Monday.

She said fire crews spotted flames climbing up the wall.

Ms Pemberton said the fire was extinguished, but there was extensive fire and smoke damage to a staffroom and classrooms.

No one was injured in the blaze.

Ms Pemberton said as a result of the fire 90 per cent of power was cut to the school, and would not be switched back on until later on Tuesday.

She said the school would be closed on Tuesday while power was restored and the clean up was conducted.

The Department of Education request that students do not attend today with the school expected to be reopened on Wednesday.

“This decision is based on the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff,” a notice from the Education Department said.

“We acknowledged this may cause an inconvenience to some families.”

Ms Pemberton said the fire was not being treated as suspicious.

Alice Springs shopping centre broken into twice in 60 minutes

ALICE Springs police were called to three break-ins and recovered one stolen ute over the past 24 hours.

Southern Watch Commander Allan Milner said officers were called to three unlawful break-ins, with one shopping complex targeted twice in under an hour.

Mr Milner said the Yeperenye Shopping Centre was broken into twice on Sunday, with the suspects identified as a group of four girls.

Mr Milner said the female youths initially broke in at 9pm by climbing under the roller doors.

He said they returned 50 minutes later, breaking through a glass door at another entrance.

Mr Milner said it was unclear what was taken from the shopping centre and if any businesses were targeted.

Mr Milner said potential thieves walked away empty-handed from the Alice Springs Inland Dragway.

He said the Stuart Highway business was broken into overnight on Saturday, with the offenders pushing the door of the vacant empty building open.

Mr Milner said a Battarbee St Araluen home was also the victim of an unlawful entry, with thieves going through an unlocked back door at 10pm Sunday, to steal a bag, iPhone and assorted credit cards.

Police also recovered a blue Ford Ranger ute stolen from Hele Crescent, Ciccone at 1.54am on Sunday.

Officers discovered the stolen ute at Norris Bell Ave, Arumbera at 10.15am.

Mr Milner said there was no damage to the vehicle and the keys were conveniently left inside the ute.

He said all investigations were ongoing.

Firefighters combat blaze in Top End military base

INVESTIGATORS suspect a blaze in a Top End military base was caused by an electrical fault after smoke was spotted billowing from the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct.

Northern Watch Commander Kaye Pemberton said police believe an electrical fault was the cause of the structural fire on Allen Ave, at 5.30pm Sunday.

Darwin Fire Station and Berrimah Fire Station crews arrived at the blaze to find a large amount of smoke coming from the main gallery.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building and extinguished the fire.

NT Police said all occupants were able to escape unharmed with no reported injuries, but the fire caused extensive electrical damage.

Originally published as Four cars were stolen across Alice Springs overnight