Tennant Creek Speedway Club stops meetings after ‘mongrel’ break-in

Motorheads are rallying around a remote speedway after a break-in caused $10,000 in damage.

SAT, JUN 25: MOTORHEADS are rallying around a remote speedway after an unknown “mongrels” caused $10,000 in damage during a break-in.

On Friday, the Tennant Creek Speedway Club announced it was forced to cancel all race meetings after its canteen was broken into and extensively damaged.

“Some mongrels — that is putting it lightly — have decided to smash up our canteen, electric box and just wreak havoc across our premises,” Tennant Creek Speedway Club wrote on Facebook.

Images of the alleged break-in’s aftermath showed glass smashed across the floor, doors rammed in, and multiple rubbish bins tipped over.

The club estimated the cost of replacing the fridges would be in excess of $10,000.

Arunga Park Speedway has called on fellow racing enthusiasts to help repair the damaged facilities.

“Pretty heartbreaking as they can’t run a meeting without a bar, as it’s not financially viable,” APS wrote on Facebook.

“And (they) also can’t run a bar without food as part of the Liquor Licence.”

“Please, does anyone know of spare drink fridges or bain-marie’s around that can be donated? “Surely with us all involved in so many different clubs, we would know of something sitting somewhere that’s not used.

Barkley representative Steve Edgington called the damage and destruction “disappointing”.

“It is extremely frustrating for the committee who are now unable to run a meeting until further notice,” Mr Edgington said.

“It’s not only the Speedway which is affected but also the Girl Guides and the Tennant Creek Primary School who all fundraise out there.”

NT Police have been contacted for comment.

Man charged by Police after allegedly using fake money around Darwin

FRI, JUN 24: A 30-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly using fake money across the Top End, Police say.

The man was charged with counterfeit after NT Police allege he used fake money throughout Darwin.

Detectives from Strike Force Trident have charged the man was one count of possessing counterfeit money or securities, one count of assault, one count of damage to property, one count of driving an unregistered motor vehicle with plates calculated to deceive, one count of driving while unlicensed and one count of dangerous driving during pursuit.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Bland said the 30-year-old man was arrested at a property in Malak by members of the Territory Response Group.

“(Strike Force) Trident detectives executed a search warrant on the property and located a number of incriminating items,” he said.

The man has been remanded to appear in court on Friday.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Teens charged after alleged servo robbery

NT Police confirmed on Friday that the three teens ages 13, 15 and 16, who were arrested for the alleged United service station robbery in Rosebery on Tuesday night, have since been charged.

The items sprawled on the service station floor after three teens allegedly rampaged through on Tuesday night. Picture: Floss Adams.

The teens were charged on three counts of robbery, threats to kill and damage to property.

The youths were remanded and appeared in court on Thursday.

EARLIER, THURSDAY: THREE teens have been arrested after the United service station in Palmerston was robbed.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Brett Cottier said the group entered the service station in Rosebery on Tuesday night and allegedly threatened the attendant before throwing items, trashing the shop, stealing goods and causing extensive damage.

United Palmerston – Rosebery (Pie Face) service station. Picture: Floss Adams.

“Serious Crime detectives assessed the scene and identified the youths involved. Detectives located and arrested them in Bakewell around 2am. They are currently in Palmerston Watch House,” Sen Sgt Cottier said.

An anonymous source said one teen allegedly threatened the shop attendant and yelled ‘I’ll kill you’, while holding a pair of scissors and a short pole.

The source alleged the teenagers began by throwing rocks at the shop front windows and then smashed the triple sheeted glass fridge door, before trying to jump over the counter.

The source said the teens retreated when the attendant threw a packet of cigarettes to them.

The alleged ordeal went for about three minutes, resulting in a $5000 to $6000 cost in damage and loss of products.

According to the source, it took 45 minutes for police to arrive.

The incident occurred at 9.41pm on Tuesday.

The teens, aged 13, 15 and 16, are expected to be charged with aggravated robbery, threats to kill and damage to property.

“We will continue to target anyone who threatens violence, damages property or targeting those working and going about their business,” Sen Sgt Cottier said.

Moil property engulfed in flames

FLAMES engulfed a Moil property leaving the home “uninhabitable”, fire investigators say.

Fireys were called to the Linde St home about 7.20pm on Tuesday to discover the blaze roaring away.

No serious injuries have been reported.

Fire investigators are currently investigating the scene to determine the cause of the fire.

Chief Fire Officer Mark Spain said significant damage caused the property to be “uninhabitable”.

“Initial investigations indicate no suspicious circumstances however detectives from crime and a fire investigator are still determining what started the fire,” he said.

“Thankfully all residents were accounted for and no one was seriously injured or killed.”

Police arrest 14yo after alleged car theft

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested in relation to the theft of a car from a Katherine home earlier this month.

It’s alleged two youths unlawfully entered a home in Katherine and stole a Toyota HiLux on June 9.

The car was later reported to be involved in a service station drive-off later that same night.

Police further alleged the 14-year-old destroyed and removed his electronic monitoring device on June 10.

Strike Force Viper and Strike Force Cerberus worked together on the case and located the youth in Alice Springs.

He was arrested and taken to the Alice Springs Watch House where he was charged with aggravated enter of dwelling with the intent to commit offence and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

He will also face one count of breach of bail.

The youth has been remanded in custody to appear before court at a later date.

Territory high school broken into

The louvres of the metal works room at the Tennant Creek High School have been smashed in.

Southern Watch Commander Allan Milner said a hammer and other tools were stolen during the break in which occurred about 8.47pm on Monday.

It comes after teachers at the school wrote to the government saying they were feeling unsafe in the town.

Cmdr Milner said the school thefts were only the tip of the iceberg for crime in Central Australia in the past 24 hours.

He said in a “brazen” act, a packet of cigarettes was stolen from a home in Sadadeen while the resident was in the front yard, between 1pm and 2.30pm on Monday.

“He was out the front checking his bike, whoever attended went through the front door while he was at the front, pretty brazen,” Cmdr Milner said.

“When he returned, two lighters and a pack of cigarettes were missing. That’s pretty brazen to walk in there while someone is there.”

Two centres for the Institute for Aboriginal Development were broken into over the weekend.

The front glass of the Family Centre was smashed in but nothing was stolen and the Saltbush Services building had its louvres removed and a laptop was stolen.

Cmdr Milner said forensic services had been requested to attend both scenes.

Another Aboriginal organisation was broken into – the alarms of Central Australian Aboriginal Congress on Leichhardt Tce were activated about 10.15pm on Monday.

“On attendance, located a smashed front glass door and due to the alarms they didn’t actually enter so nothing was stolen,” Cmdr Milner said.

Six bikes, gloves and some other property was stolen from My Ride in Alice Springs about 2.46am on Tuesday.

“The point of entry was a jammed rear door so they must have had a tool or something,” Cmdr Milner said.

“One of those cycles was found dumped a short distance away shortly after the break and returned to the owners.”

A Gillen home on Memorial Ave was broken into via an unlocked door and two credit card were stolen but have since been cancelled.

An East Side home on Jasmine Ct was broken into on Monday between 11.45pm and 11.50pm, through an unlocked door.

“Still waiting on information on what was stolen,” Cmdr Milner said.

Lastly,

Cmdr Milner cautioned residents to remain vigilant and continue to cautiously lock doors.

 “Just to be aware and check and lock your doors – if you see anything suspicious give us a call,” he said.

Police investigating shed fire

POLICE are calling for witnesses to a structural fire in Central Australia that broke out overnight.

NT Police are investigating a fire that engulfed a shed attached to Yuendumu ‘Big Store’ at about 1am on Monday.

Part of the building and a caravan that was used as accommodation by staff has been damaged due to the fire.

An NTFRS fire investigator, forensics and members of the Alice Springs Criminal Investigation Branch attended Yuendumu today to investigate.

The structure fire is being treated as suspicious.

Constable 1/C Ash Everett-Smith said the building sustained significant damage.

“It is very fortunate that the rest of the building was saved from destruction and the occupants were able to escape without serious injury,” they said.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information in relation to the fire to contact police on 131444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Quote reference 10037980.

Police call for witnesses to ‘lengthy assault’ in CBD

POLICE have called for witnesses to “a lengthy assault” that left a man unconscious.

NT Police said that around 2am on June 12, a 31-year-old man was physically assaulted out the front of a licensed premises on Todd Street in the Alice Springs CBD by a 40-year-old man.

The 31-year-old man walked away to avoid further confrontation when the 40-year-old man was joined by three other men who began chasing the alleged victim from Gregory Tce, along Hartley St, Stott Tce and back to Todd St before the victim stopped at Gregory Tce.

It is alleged the group began physically assaulting the man to the head and body, at which point he was rendered unconscious and the group continued to physically assault him.

CCTV operators observed the alleged assault and members of Strike Force Viper attended and provided first aid to the victim before he was taken to the Alice Springs Hospital with extensive facial injuries.

General duties members arrested two of the men, aged 33 and 40-years-old, involved in the assault.

Ongoing investigations lead to the identification of two men aged 28 and 31-years-old who were subsequently arrested.

Strike Force Viper are investigating the alleged assault and are calling for any witnesses to contact police.

“CCTV footage shows vehicles driving past the victim while he is being assaulted in the middle of the road,” said Plain Clothes Constable 1/C Eruera

“The people who witnessed this rolling incident would have information which would greatly assist us with our investigations.”

Police urge anyone who witnessed the alleged assault, or motorists with dashcam who were in the area at the time the assault occurred, to contact police on 131 444 or report it anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Four men have been arrested in relation to the alleged assault, and each charged with aggravated assault, engage in violence conduct and recklessly endanger serious harm.

Woman suffers ‘significant hair loss’ after youth assault

OFF duty police officers have arrested a 16-year-old girl following a serious assault in Alice Springs on Sunday.

It is alleged the 16-year-old got into an altercation with a 41-year-old woman in which she grabbed her by the hair before physically assaulting her.

The officers were driving home after night shift when they came across the incident near the Bath Street Taxi rank.

The woman was taken to Alice Springs hospital with facial injuries and significant hair loss.

The girl has been charged with one count of recklessly endangering serious harm.
She was also charged with one count of obtaining benefit by deception for a separate incident which she was found with a stolen bank card.

She will appear in court on Monday.

Weekend crime spree in Central Australia

ALICE SPRINGS and Tennant Creek experienced a spate of crime over the weekend with a series of cars stolen and homes and commercial properties broken into.

Southern Watch Commander Allan Milner said a glass door to the Centrepoint Building in the Alice Springs CBD was smashed in but what was stolen remained under investigation.

“We’ve got our forensic unit there at the moment conducting that assessment,” Cmdr Milner said.

Cmdr Milner said a glass sliding door of the Congress Medical Centre in Tennant Creek was smashed in between 12.15am and 12.30am on Monday morning.

“They smashed a sliding door and accessed the administration area,” Cmdr Milner said.

“We don’t know what was stolen from that either but hopefully we’ll be able to get that information a little bit later in the morning.”

A white Toyota HiLux twin cab ute was allegedly stolen from the Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation but later recovered after it was abandoned on Peko Rd.

“We took that vehicle back to the Tennant Creek Police Station to be forensically assessed – it still remains under investigation,” he said.

“But as a result of that, two youths were arrested but one was released pending a youth diversion assessment.”

A Tennant Creek home on Haddock St was broken into via a laundry door but what was stolen is still under investigation.

Cmdr Milner said a Holden Commodore was found abandoned after it was stolen from a carpark in Alice Springs about a week ago and is expected to undergo forensic testing.

“We’ve got a person of interest in relation to that and that’s going to be followed up today (Monday),” Cmdr Milner said.

A Ford Falcon sedan and Holden commodore ute were also both reported as stolen from two separate owners in Alice Springs.

The Ford was relocated but the Holden is still outstanding.