NT Police alleged stolen Lajamanu ambulance was used to ram WA Police cars
A series of incidents involving a stolen ambulance, which was later used to cross the Western Australia border and ram police cars, has left residents of a small Northern Territory town shaken, police say.
Northern Territory
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A series of incidents involving a stolen ambulance, which was later used to cross the Western Australia border and ram police cars, as well as allegd attacks on workers, have left residents of a small Northern Territory town shaken, police say.
Police received reports about 9.30pm Friday, in which it was alleged “multiple” youths were throwing rocks and hitting buildings with bars at a workers’ camp in Lajamanu, a small town just off the border of Western Australia.
Across the following hours, police allege the youths returned to the workers’ camp multiple times, unlawfully entering compound buildings and causing damage.
It was understood the alleged offenders fled before police arrival each time.
Around 5am Saturday, police were notified that “several” male youths had allegedly entered the yard of a clinic and stolen an ambulance, which they later used to ram through the compound gates and flee the area.
The clinic was allegedly burgled before the ambulance was stolen.
Police say there were several youths in the ambulance when it left Lajamanu, with additional passengers being picked up as it drove through Kalkarindji, a small town north of Lajamanu.
It was alleged the stolen ambulance then travelled across the WA border, where it was used to ram two WA Police vehicles in Halls Creek.
The officers were uninjured, NT Police say, but the cars are understood to have been damaged.
The ambulance was later abandoned in Halls Creek, with five youths taken into WA Police custody.
Investigations remain ongoing and police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or attend your local police station.
The stretch of alleged criminal activity in Lajamanu comes not even a day after three male youths allegedly entered the Rusca Developments workers’ compound early Thursday.
While there, the youths allegedly attempted to steal a work vehicle and break into several buildings, before confronting the site manager and threatening him.
It is understood the situation escalated when one of the youths allegedly threw a rock at the site manager after he attempted to defend himself with a shifting spanner.
Police attended the scene shortly after the offenders fled.
A second incident allegedly happened later than morning involving rocks being thrown at workers at the camp.
Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure, Bill Yan, said the community must take responsibility for the actions of individuals.
“The community is on notice that if behaviour like this continues, they risk missing out on key infrastructure opportunities for their region,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with the individual affected. Contractors who travel away from their families to help build stronger, safer communities deserve to feel safe and respected while doing their jobs.”
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