Three youths arrested in relation to Fannie Bay IGA boozy break-in

Police have arrested three youths who allegedly smashed their way into the Fannie Bay IGA on Friday and stole a large quantity booze and cigarettes.

POLICE have arrested three youths who allegedly smashed their way into the Fannie Bay IGA on Friday and stole a large quantity of booze and cigarettes.

Northern Watch Commander Caragh Hen said officers had utilised their canine unit in making two separate arrests in the early hours of Monday morning.

Around 3am, police arrested two youths after receiving reports of an unlawful entry at a commercial premises in Leanyer.

Cmdr Hen said one of the youths remained in custody and is expected to be charged in relation to the IGA and Leanyer break-ins, while the other – not believed to be involved in the IGA incident – has been “returned home to a responsible adult pending youth diversion considerations”.

About 30 minutes later, police arrested two more youths at a home in the Greater Darwin Area for “outstanding matters”, including the IGA boozy break-in.

“At the moment they remain in custody while investigations are continuing, and I would expect them to be charged later today,” Cmdr Hen said.

Police could not provide the ages of the alleged offenders.

Fannie Bay IGA made headlines days earlier for a horrific brawl that broke out on shop’s doorstep.

Days earlier, the owners of Fannie Bay IGA kicked up a storm after posting footage on social media of the alcohol-fuelled brawl and subsequent break-in.

In the Facebook posts, the owners lamented the fact they were not permitted to install roller doors in the location youths smashed their way in, having been told it would pose a fire safety hazard.

Fannie Bay IGA targeted again

AFTER starting their week by dealing with a horrific daylight brawl at their doorstep, Fannie Bay IGA has been targeted again but this time for a boozy break-in.

CCTV footage released by Fannie Bay Supermarket IGA showed the extent of the smash and grab operation by a group of four people.

The security footage shows a group of four people approaching the front doors, one armed with a brick.

Their approach woke up a woman sleeping at the entrance, with the Fannie Bay Supermarket IGA posting on Facebook she was “minding her own business” and “absolutely petrified” by the incident.

As she attempted to leave, one of the men hauled the brick at the door, cracking the glass. The group was seen rifling through the supermarket and throwing a brick at the alcohol fridge.

One of the group threw a bottle at the fridge until it shattered on the ground.

CCTV footage of a break in at the Fannie Bay IGA shows damaged being caused to their fridges. Picture: Facebook.

The footage showed the group running off with multiple cases of booze.

Superintendent James O’Brien said the break-in was still under investigation but confirmed the group stole various items including alcohol and cigarettes.

“The entire incident was captured on CCTV and detectives from Strike Force Trident are in the process of identifying the individuals involved and undertaking further investigations,” Superintendent O’Brien said.

Damaged caused to the Fannie Bay IGA front door after falling victim to another senseless act of crime in Darwin. Picture: Floss Adams.

However, when asked where mobile CCTV units were or why footpatrols were not in the area after the original incident, NT Police did not respond.

Fannie Bay Supermarket IGA thanked police for its speedy response to the latest incident, but said more was needed to protect the businesses. “Darwin (and) the NT is in need of some serious help, urgently,” a Facebook post stated. “What’s the point of working hard?”

“We cannot install roller doors because if there is fire when they break in, they won’t be able to get out of that exit according to the government regulation. Let that sink in.”

An NTG spokesperson said a review into the Biz Secure program was underway.

“Fire safety regulations provide protection and safety for building-occupants and our firefighters in the event of a fire, while also minimising the spread and damage to businesses,” the spokesperson said. “Ensuring compliance to these regulations is very important for all businesses and the safety of their employees and the broader community.”

Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister Alcohol Policy Gerard Maley called out the Gunner Government and its silence around addressing crime and alcohol policies.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gerard Maley has criticised the Gunner Government for inaction against crime and alcohol-fuelled abuse. Photograph: Che Chorley

“Fannie Bay IGA is smack bang in the middle of Michael Gunner’s electorate and we haven’t heard a peep from the Chief Minister about how he plans to address his crime and alcohol policy failures,” Mr Maley said.

Manison responds to Darwin Mayor

Police Minister Nicole Manison has responded to the Darwin Mayor’s call for increased police presence following yesterday’s incident outside of a Fannie Bay IGA.

CCTV caught four men brawling, with one even pulling what looked like a knife out on another.

“Our police do foot patrols, each police station,” Ms Manison said.

“I’ve got to remind the Mayor that Darwin is a very, very big place and our police have got a range of different work to do but they do get out there they do foot patrols he just might not see them all the time.”

Police Minister Nicole Manison has weighed in on yesterday’s incident. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis yesterday condemned the behaviour and said “the key element here is police presence on the streets, not on patrol cars but on the foot.”

Ms Manison also said there was “always more work to do” when it comes to policies around alcohol safety.

“We have got some of the strongest measurements in the nation when it comes to alcohol management.

“We’ve got the banned drinkers register, some of our other places we have our police axillary liquor inspectors — We’ve got really tough measures when it does come to the consumption of alcohol and that is in place to target those who are problem drinkers and the anti-social behaviour, the domestic violence, the problems that we see that can flow through with it,” she said.

“So we’re just going to continue making sure that we’re working with those organisations outside of government, to continue allocating the support to where we need it.”

Man arrested following brawl

A MAN has been arrested and fined after horrifying CCTV footage of an all out brawl surfaced online.

The melee broke out outside the Fannie Bay IGA with onlookers forced to seek refuge inside the busy supermarket.

IGA CCTV shows four men brawling outside of the Fannie Bay IGA on Monday afternoon. Picture: Facebook.

The video, first posted on Facebook on Tuesday, shows four men brutally attacking each other using what appears to be a knife, a shop sign, a rock, and their fists.

The fight began as a boxing match before weapons started being used.

The footage reveals the men swinging arms, an IGA sign used as a weapon, and later a man is holding a rock.

A close call occurred when a man ran and stabbed another with a weapon, aiming for his neck, where blood appears around his chest area later in the video.

In a Facebook post, Fannie Bay IGA said they had to lock their customers inside the store, including a heavily pregnant woman, to keep them “safe” while the four scrapped out the front of the business.

Fannie Bay IGA experienced a brutal brawl between four men outside of the front doors of the busy supermarket on Monday afternoon. Picture: Floss Adams.

“This incident happened last night, outside the front of our store, right at peak trade time,” the supermarket said.

“I’m lost for words”.

City of Darwin Mayor Kon Vatskalis condemned the behaviour as “totally unacceptable”.

“Alcohol is fuelling violence, and you can see that people are punching each other and obviously they’re drunk,” Mr Vatskalis said.

He called for more police presence on the streets.

“Because previous experience has shown me that police on the beat works,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“The key element here is police presence on the streets, not on patrol cars but on the foot.”

Fannie Bay IGA has spoken out on Facebook about the violent incident. Picture: Floss Adams.

Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Nicole Manison said alcohol abuse was one of the leading causes of crime.

“We have made some of the strongest alcohol reforms to tackle this issue,” Ms Manison said.

“This includes more police with stronger powers to stop alcohol getting into the wrong hands, more Larrakia nation patrols and we established a 24 hour sobering up shelter.”

Since January, NT Police has seen the graduation of 187 Police Constables, 47 Police Auxiliaries; and 10 Aboriginal community Police Officers.

“We have a record police budget and we are investing heavily in the areas that target crime – including tackling alcohol abuse, investing in youth crime programs and housing,” Ms Mansion said.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested following a brutal brawl outside of the Fannie Bay IGA. Picture: Floss Adams.

Superintendent James O’Brien said investigations were still ongoing into the violent brawl. “A 30-year-old male was arrested and issued an infringement notice for fighting in a public place,” Superintendent O’Brien said.

“Anti-social and violent behaviour has no place in our community.”