Darwin crime: Nightcliff homeowner’s property smashed into during daylight robbery

A Nightcliff pensioner who was hanging out her washing was confronted by a determined group who smashed their way into her home in a daylight home invasion. SEE THE PHOTOS.

Eleni’s Nightcliff home was ransacked in a daylight home invasion. Three people have been charged. Photo: Supplied

A much-loved Darwin grandmother has issued her heartfelt thanks to her neighbours and police after she was the victim of a terrifying home invasion.

Eleni, 78, who asked for her surname not to be published, lives alone at the home she built with her husband in Nightcliff after Cyclone Tracy.

She was hanging out her washing at 6am on June 19 when three masked alleged offenders entered her yard.

“I was putting my clothes on the clothesline. When I turned I saw on the small veranda there was one lady,” she said.

Nightcliff resident Eleni was hanging out her washing on June 19, 2025 when a man, 27, and two women, aged 26 and 30, smashed their way into her home. Photo: Supplied

“She tried to open the door but it was locked. I said ‘please go’ but the lady said ‘give me your keys’ and started following me.”

Eleni always locks her doors when she hangs out her washing after a young woman broke into her home about 18 months ago while she was in her yard and later warned she would come back.

The woman who broke in last Thursday followed Eleni to her gate before she sought help from her neighbour.

“I called the very nice lady next door and told her what happened and the very nice lady called the police,” she said.

While she was standing at her neighbour’s house, Eleni said she started to hear windows smashing.

The mess left behind. Photo: Supplied

It cost Eleni more than $1000 for the smashed windows to be repaired. Photo: Supplied

The group had taken the clay flower pots from her yard and used them to smash the kitchen and loungeroom windows.

Eleni’s family suspect the group were looking for cash, valuables or car keys, but all they took was a couple of cans of soft drink.

It cost Eleni $1100 to have the windows replaced.

Some blood was found at the scene, indicating the group may have cut themselves on the glass as they left the property.

Eleni’s kitchen window was smashed and shards of glass and debris covered the countertops and floor. Photo: Supplied

There was also a hole in one of the security screens where it is suspected the group used a drill to try to break in before they smashed the windows.

While Eleni was waiting at her neighbour’s house she heard a woman from the Nagandji Nagandji-Ba Aboriginal hostel across the road yell out and chase the alleged offenders away.

Police from Strike Force Trident arrived about the same time and promptly arrested the intruders.

“I would like to thank the two very nice ladies for their help,” Eleni said.

“I thank you very much and God bless you. And the police too.”

Police have charged two women aged 26 and 30 and a man aged 27 with aggravated burglary. They have all been remanded in custody. The women are due to face court on June 30 and the man on July 1.