NT police arrest 15 people, aged 14 to 50, over property offences

Cops waded through waist-high water in the mangroves to arrest a group of youths while seven other alleged offenders were found sleeping in a car, in extraordinary police operations spanning more than 220km.

Police were forced to wade through waist-deep water into mangroves to arrest six youths wanted over property offences.

In two extraordinary arrests in the Top End overnight Tuesday, Strike Force Trident and Dog Operations arrested a total of 15 people aged between 14 and 50.

NT Police said the first incident began with reports of an allegedly stolen Toyota HiLux ute being driven erratically from Yarrawonga to the Woolner area.

The vehicle was reported stolen from the outer northern Palmerston suburb and tracked towards Darwin where members of the public reported it being driven through the city and ramming another vehicle.

A Toyota HiLux was found dumped in Woolner after allegedly being stolen from the Yarrawonga area.

The ute was dumped in Woolner and six people were seen running into the Winnellie area.

NT Police said CCTV operators tracked the group allegedly trying to get into several businesses before keys to a company car were stolen.

“The group attempted to ram through the front gate of the business were unsuccessful,” police said.

“When police arrived at the scene the alleged offenders jumped a fence before running across the road into mangroves on Tiger Brennan Drive.

Police waded into waist-high water in the mangroves to arrest a group of youths suspected of stealing a car and committing property offences. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“Patrol Dog Drax and his handler were deployed and tracked through thick mangroves into waist deep water before locating the alleged offenders holding onto mangroves.

“All offenders, aged between 14 and 16 were subsequently arrested and taken to Palmerston Watch House.

“They were later charged with multiple property offences.”

In an unrelated incident, the dog squad was again deployed along with Strike Force Trident and traffic members to establish a cordon on Darwin’s outskirts to put the brakes on another group’s alleged offending spree.

Senior Constable Matthew Houghagen and police dog Daly. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Nine people, aged from 14 to 50, were arrested in dramatic scenes at Strauss Airstrip at Noonamah over multiple stolen vehicle reports.

Police said two allegedly stolen Toyota LandCruisers were used to ram-raid an Acacia Hills service station Tuesday morning.

“One vehicle rammed through the front doors causing extensive damage before the offenders allegedly entered the building and stole thousands of dollars’ worth of goods,” police said.

“The group then travelled to a commercial business in Winnellie and allegedly unlawfully entered the premise.

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“While inside, the group allegedly stole another Toyota LandCruiser and rammed it into other vehicles in order to exit the premises.

“The inside of the premises sustained extensive damage.

“The group allegedly then proceeded to steal a further five LandCruisers from across the Greater Darwin Region before police caught up with them.”

Detectives and the various police units established the cordon with tyre spikes near the Strauss Airstrip at Noonamah.

Officers followed “a fresh dirt track into thick bushland” where two allegedly stolen vehicles were found with seven people sleeping inside.

The group was arrested.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Bland says the extensive operation was ‘yet another example’ of collaborative NT policing. Picture: Che Chorley

“An operation to locate the remaining vehicles resulted in members travelling further down the Stuart Highway, where they found another two vehicles at Adelaide River, before they received information of a fuel drive off at Daly River,” police said.

“Members travelled to Daly River and located two youths who had bogged the vehicle in soft mud.

“They were subsequently arrested before being taken back to Darwin.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Bland said police in Wadeye had found another vehicle.

“This is yet another fantastic example of different police units working together to bring justice for the community,” he said.

“In addition to the vehicles located, local police in Wadeye have also located another vehicle and investigations are continuing with more arrests expected soon.”