‘It’s time for war!’ Prominent Darwin bar owner’s calls on Chief Minister, Police Commissioner to act on crime

PROMINENT Darwin restaurateur and bar owner Jason Hanna has declared ‘It’s time’ for all-out war on crime in our embattled city

Jason Hanna, owner of Eva’s Botanic Gardens Cafe, cleans up after after yet another break-in there last year. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

UPDATED: Prominent Darwin restaurateur and bar owner Jason Hanna has declared “It’s time” for all-out war on crime in our embattled city.

Speaking on Katie Woolf’s 360 radio show on Mix 104.9 on Monday morning after his Deck Bar was again broken into early Monday morning Mr Hanna said: “It’s time for war!”

“Enough is enough and I’m calling on the Chief Minister (Michael Gunner) and the Police Commissioner (Reece Kershaw) to declare war on this behaviour,” Mr Hanna said in the interview.

“I’m sick of hearing about the little fluffy programs we keep hearing about to fix it.”

Prominent restaurateur and bar owner Jason Hanna stands by a window smashed during an earlier break-in at his Deck Bar. This particular break-in (pictured) happened in 2011.

Mr Hanna’s various city businesses have been broken into multiple times over recent years.

In a post on his social media account, Mr Hanna said Mr Gunner and Mr Kershaw needed to take drastic action to address the issue.

“DECLARE WAR and smash at the issue with every tool at your disposal, I’m afraid nothing short will give confidence to the residents of this city. Confidence is paramount,” he said.

Commercial property break-ins have been on the rise since June, with the latest data showing 51 break-ins occurred in December.

Mr Gunner said 100 extra cops and tough liquor laws were some of the ways the Government was tackling crime.

“People have had an absolute gutful of opportunistic crime like this – Territorians deserve to have their homes and businesses safe and secure,” he said.

Five thieves broke into the Deck Bar, owner by Mr Hanna, making off with armfuls of stolen liquor.

NT Duty Superintendent Paul Faustmann said the incident took place at 2.45am Monday.

“A group of ... four or five persons forced entry to the Deck Bar and removed a quantity of alcohol,” he said.

Supt Faustmann said NT Police had two men and a woman in custody.

He said it wasn’t known if this break-in was related to an incident at Darwin Thai restaurant Hanuman earlier Monday morning but said detectives would investigate.

Food vouchers and cash were also taken during a break-in on Monday morning at St Vincent de Paul Society Palmerston.

The theft means those seeking emergency support to purchase food won’t be able to access the service.

St Vincent de Paul multi centre co-ordinator Colin Bird said the break-in was almost identical to a break-in and theft three weeks ago.

“We can’t do our good work with the money gone,” he said.

Palmerston police station officer in charge Senior Sergeant Nathan Finn said it was disappointing that organisations that help people were being targeted.

Owner Jason Hanna surveys the damage done after his business, Eva's Botanical Gardens Cafe, in Darwin's George Brown Botanic Gardens was trashed during a break-in. This break-in happened in 2015. Picture: Michael Franchi

EARLIER: FIVE thieves have broken into Mitchell St’s Deck Bar overnight, making off with armfuls of stolen liquor, police say.

NT Duty Superintendent Paul Faustmann said the incident took place at 2.45am Monday.

“A group of believed to be four or five persons forced entry to the Deck Bar and removed a quantity of alcohol,” he said.

“They’ve fled the location and were caught by the fast responding Darwin police members with the use of CCTV operators.”

Sup Faustmann said NT Police had two men and a woman in custody, and they believed two more people were yet to be caught.

“The majority of the liquor has been recovered, but we can’t confirm what remains outstanding at this point in time,” he said.

Sup Faustmann said it wasn’t known if this break-in was related to incident at Darwin Thai restaurant Hanuman earlier this month, but detective would investigate today.

“That will come out this morning as part of the investigation,” he said.