Cars stolen in Darwin recovered in Adelaide River and Daly River

Two separate stolen vehicles have been used for a series of alleged crimes, leading to the arrest of five individuals. Read the details.

St Johns Ambulance, Northern Territory crews attend Top End crashes. Picture: Che Chorley

Welcome to the NT News’ weekly Top End rolling police, crime, traffic, fire and breaking news blog. Keep up with the latest in the Top End – from Katherine to Darwin, West Daly, Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands.

January 17, 4pm: Four men and a woman have been arrested following two separate incidents involving stolen cars on Thursday.

The first vehicle, a green 80 Series LandCruiser, was stolen from an address in Darwin City.

The occupants of this vehicle reportedly stole petrol from a service station in the area, before targeting a store on Virginia Road.

Police allege there the three men broke into the venue and “stole a large quantity of alcohol”.

The LandCruiser was later intercepted by Peppimenarti officers, 50km west of Daly River about 12pm.

NT Police said they arrested the four occupants: three men aged 21, 22 and 31, and one woman aged 24.

Also on Thursday morning but in a separate incident, a white Toyota HiLux was stolen from Malak and allegedly seen driving away from a service station in Berrimah about 6am.

The HiLux was later spotted near Manton Dam, leading to Strike Force Trident and the dog squad to intercept the car with a tyre deflation device near Adelaide River.

The driver, a 23-year-old man, was arrested.

NT Police said all five individuals were charged with a number of property offences.

Wet weather leads to slippery conditions on Top End roads

January 17, 2.30pm: Multiple crashes in the Top End have resulted in slow traffic during wet weather.

Two crashes in Palmerston were reported in inbound and outbound lanes of Roystonea Avenue, both at about 1.15pm.

A car on the overpass near to Palmerston reportedly aqua planed and rolled, with one person reported by St John to be injured.

The patient was taken to hospital with an arm injury.

Another incident was reported in Larrakeyah at 2.08pm.

NT Police crews attended the scene of the Palmerston crashes, and it is understood there has been a road closure.

NT Police have been contacted for comment.

Man charged after alleged hit-and-run on Top End road

January 17, 1.23pm: A 55-year-old man has been charged after an alleged hit-and-run in Moulden on Thursday night.

NT Police said they were called to the incident on Tamarind Rd after 9pm on January 16.

It is alleged the driver of the vehicle did not stop to offer assistance, and the man who had been struck had sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver was later arrested at an address in Rosebery and has been charged.

He is due to appear in Darwin Local Court on February 11.

Senior Sergeant Xavier McMahon said it was a legal requirement for drivers involved in a crash to stop, render assistance, and contact police.

“We urge all road users to take responsibility for their actions, drive safely, and ensure the wellbeing of everyone on our roads,” Mr McMahon said.

“Together, we can prevent tragedies and create safer roads for all Territorians.”

Crime scene set up, home ‘uninhabitable’ after Gray blaze

January 16, 11am: A home has been left uninhabitable after a structure fire in the suburb of Gray in Palmerston.

A fire at a residence on Cornwallis Circuit was reported to emergency services about 2.50pm on Wednesday.

NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services in a statement said the occupants were able to evacuate the premises safely with no injuries reported.

Fire and Rescue Services attended and extinguished the blaze which had caused significant damage to the property, and was deemed uninhabitable by the fire investigator.

A crime scene was established and investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

If anyone has any information regarding the fire, contact police on 131 444 and quote reference P25015003.

Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Man hauled back to Qld from NT to face DV accusations

January 15, 10.45am: A 28-year-old man has been hauled back to Queensland to face domestic violence allegations, after he was found and arrested in the Top End.

NT Police in a statement said the man had been arrested by the Northern Domestic and Family Violence Unit on January 9 this year in Yarrawonga, with the help of the Territory Response Group and Queensland Police.

He was arrested in relation to multiple domestic violence incidents alleged to have been committed in Queensland in 2024.

The offences, NT Police allege, occurred in Queensland between August and December, before the man travelled to the Northern Territory.

The man was then “successfully extradited” back to Queensland.

The arrest showed the prevalence of domestic violence continued to be a “significant concern in all jurisdictions in Australia” Detective Senior Sergeant Hayley Duncan said.

“It affects all individuals, families and communities, and has far-reaching consequences,” Senior Sergeant Duncan said.

“We are committed to working with other law enforcement agencies to ensure perpetrators of domestic violence are held accountable for their actions, regardless of where they attempt to evade responsibility.”

Need help or know someone who needs domestic violence related assistance? Help is available. Reach out to 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or call police on 131 444.

Teenage girl arrested after biting officer in chroming incident

January 13, 3pm: A teenage girl has been arrested for allegedly biting a police officer at Leanyer on Monday.

Casuarina General Duties officers saw a 14-year-old girl allegedly chroming and in need of care on Vanderlin Drive, about 10.15am on Monday.

Police allege the girl bit one of the officers on the wrist and finger, piercing the skin both times, while officers were placing her into protective custody.

She was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment with police, where the officer received medical treatment, including a tetanus shot.

Commander Daniel Bacon said the incident highlighted the difficult and dangerous positions frontline officers were put in.

“What is often not considered with offences of this nature is that this officer now has the mental anguish of not knowing what, if any, diseases she may have contracted which will affect her and her relationship with her partner for a considerable time until tests determine otherwise,” he said.

“It will also prevent her donating blood now for three months, something of which the officer is passionate about to assist others in giving back to the community.

“Offences of this nature are disgusting and have far reaching repercussions on our officers.

“Offenders will be held to account for their actions.

“I commend the officers involved for their professionalism under challenging circumstances in protecting the community and a youth that was in need of care.

“I urge members of the public if you see anyone in need of assistance that are abusing volatile substances to make contact on 131 444.”

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Teenagers arrested for alleged car theft, police pursuit

January 13, 3pm: A police chase from Tiwi to Adelaide River has resulted in the arrest of three teenagers.

NT Police received reports of multiple stolen vehicles in Darwin and Palmerston, as well as reports of dangerous driving, about 10.40pm on Sunday.

Police, conducting active patrols of the area, located a Toyota HiLux in Tiwi with significant damage to the window and back tyre.

A woman approached police and identified the alleged offenders who fled from the stolen vehicle.

About 4.40am, Monday, police engaged in a pursuit of two Toyota LandCruiser Utilities — later confirmed to be stolen — that were allegedly driving dangerously through Palmerston, before terminating the pursuit for safety reasons.

Strike Force Trident and the Dog Operations Unit co-ordinated a response, and with the assistance of Adelaide River Police, tracked both stolen vehicles to the Daly River area.

Tyre deflation devices were deployed on both vehicles, which came to a stop about 80km west of Adelaide River.

Three teenage boys aged 14, 14 and 12 were apprehended at the scene, police said.

Investigations are ongoing and charges are expected to follow.

Police urged anyone with information about the incidents to make contact on 131 444.

Please quote reference NTP2500004716.

Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Daly River roadblock leads to ‘substantial’ drug and alcohol bust

January 13, 6am: NT Police said officers seized a “substantial amount of alcohol and illicit drugs” after setting up a roadblock on Daly River Access Road late on Saturday night.

The haul was bound for remote communities where police allege it would be sold.

During the roadblock, police reported two vehicles failed to stop, leading them to spike the vehicles with tyre deflation devices.

In the first vehicle, police said they discovered six ounces of marijuana, six one litre bottles of spirits, two cartons of beer and two bottles of wine.

The 24-year-old driver was charged with multiple driving, drug and alcohol offences and he remains in police custody.

The driver of the second vehicle reportedly fled into nearby bushland and he is yet to be apprehended.

In his vehicle police uncovered 11 one litre bottles of spirits, a 10-pack of mixers and two cans of beer.

The haul from the second vehicle where the driver fled into bushland. Picture: NT Police

Acting Superintendent Erica Gibson labelled the conduct of the alleged offenders “disgraceful behaviour”.

“We know the harm that illicit drugs and alcohol cause to our communities,” Superintendent Gibson said.

“I commend the excellent work of police to intercept these vehicles before they could reach their destinations.”

Motorcyclist crashes into dog in Leanyer

January 13, 6am: A motorcyclist is reported to have crashed into a dog in Leanyer on Sunday night.

St John NT Territory Response manager Craig Garraway said the incident occurred about 11.30pm, with the 35-year-old man transported to Royal Darwin Hospital suffering leg and arm injuries.

The motorcyclist is reportedly in a stable condition.

The fate of the dog remains unknown.

Originally published as Cars stolen in Darwin recovered in Adelaide River and Daly River