Police continue investigations after remote community allegedly trashed by youths

The shocking extent of property damage allegedly caused by a group of youths in a remote community has been revealed.

11AM, MAY 6: THE shocking extent of property damage allegedly caused by a group of youths in the remote community of Papunya has been revealed, as police continue to investigate the incident from the weekend.

NT Police have arrested three youths, aged 12-14, with the community northwest of Alice Springs being forced to go without some services while repairs are carried out.

MacDonnell Regional Council chief executive Jeff MacLeod said council building, the school and the general store were broken with thousands of dollars worth of property damaged and vandalised.

“Our office was pretty much trashed,” he told ABC Alice Springs.

“Basically, all the computer equipment was smashed up, a lot of tagging and some rude words on the wall and across the floor and various other things.”

He said access to Centrelink and mail services had also been affected due to the damages.

“We’ve spoken with Services Australia, they’ve been very understanding, so they’re not penalising anyone who can’t can’t make contact this week with them and we hope to be up and running again next week,” Mr MacLeod continued.

“There is still a phone there so the phone still works. People will be able to access Centrelink via the telephone.

“We’ve still got all essences out on the ground still operating. it’s mainly the office that’s affected.”

Mr MacLeod said he had lost three staff living in Papunya in recent times because of their concerns for safety.

The chief executive said there had been an uptick in this sort of behaviour accross communities in the West MacDonnell region in recent months, which had included a break-in at Papunya’s aged care facility and the theft of a bus.

In a statement on Wednesday, NT Police Acting Superintendent Alex Brennan said, “Police investigations are ongoing as we work to locate the remaining offender.

“We would like to thank the community for working closely with police throughout the investigation.

“As a result of the damage, there will be a flow on effect to the community, with a multiagency response currently underway to ensure that impact is minimal.”

“Anyone with information is still urged to contact police on 131 444.”

Alleged edged weapon threat

12PM, MAY 5: A man was allegedly threatened with an edged weapon out the front of a shop and two other people assaulted in a remote community earlier this week, with authorities now urging individuals who may have been in town to come forward.

Police were alerted to the incident at around 1.30pm on Tuesday. Police allege a 44-year-old man assaulted another man outside a commercial property before fleeing the scene.

The man then allegedly assaulted another man and woman at a nearby home.

The man was charged with recklessly endanger serious harm, aggravated assault and going armed in public.

He will appear in the Katherine Local Court on June 21.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Jeremy Brunton said police were seeking information from a man and woman who were passing through the community on Tuesday, potentially driving a blue Landcruiser.

“Investigations are ongoing and police are urging anyone who witnessed the assaults, specifically the first assault outside the business, to make contact on 131 444.”

Crims hindered by chilly nights

8AM, MAY 5: CRIME could end in Alice Springs when it freezes over, after cooler weather was attributed for a quieter night for police. 

Southern watch commander Allan Milner said it was a quiet night for his team.

He said there were two reported break-ins overnight, and one recovered vehicle.

Mr Milner said two break-ins at Larapinta homes were reported to police, but investigations had not confirmed what had been taken from the properties.

Mr Milner said a stolen Toyota Hilux Utility was recovered after being abandoned at Larapinta.

He said forensic testing would help track down the offenders, who remain at large.

Mr Milner said not much had occurred overnight.

“We’ve had a pretty good 24 hours,” he said.

“A normal run of disturbances.”

Mr Milner said the calmer nights “could be to do with the weather” as the cooler weather was discouraging some would-be misbehaving residents.

“We’ve got our fingers crossed that it gets down to two or three degrees,” he said.

It was a quieter night in the Top End as well, with the Northern Watch Commander saying there was nothing notable overnight.

He said police were called to a break-in at the Dominos, Palmerston just after 6am on Thursday.

Four serious car crashes were reported by St John NT

Labour Day warning

7AM, MAY 2: TERRITORIANS have been urged to remain vigilant on the roads over the Labour Day long weekend after four serious car crashes occurred across the Top End.

St John NT director of ambulances services Andrew Thomas said multiple people were treated at the scene of a two crash in Wagaman on Friday night with one person being taken to hospital.

Then on Saturday, a single vehicle rollover occurred in the Pine Creek area with multiple people requiring paramedic support.

“Our ambulance crews and also the CareFlight helicopter were activated and when they got there we ended up with a number of patients, one quite serious with a head injury that was flown to Darwin in the CareFlight helicopter,” Mr Thomas said.

“And then a number of other paediatric patients that were taken both to the Royal Darwin Hospital by ambulance crews and one of the patients was then just also looked after by the Pine Creek clinic.”

About 10pm on Saturday again in Pine Creek, a vehicle drove off the road into a creek.

“So crews got there and assessed and it was a father and son but fortunately both have minor injuries and were just taken through to the Pine Creek clinic for assessment and follow up,” Mr Thomas said.

Tragically, a young man lost his life in Litchfield National Park.

“On Saturday evening around midnight, unfortunately, we attended to a vehicle accident in the Litchfield Park area,” Mr Thomas said.

“A young male that had fallen from the rear of a ute and sustained some injuries there that were unable to be treated and he passed away at the scene.”

He reminded all Territorians to remain cautious on the roads during the long weekend.

“Unfortunately, we have seen a lot of vehicle accidents over the weekend,” Mr Thomas said.

“So probably just a really, really good reminder for people on long weekends to take really good care when they’re out on the roads and make sure we wear seatbelts and concentrate on driving.”